By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Having essentially nine first-team players available, Barcelona had a very difficult task in Madrid.
The guests tried their best, but it was not enough, as Real Madrid prevailed 96-91, and both teams are now tied with a 14-13 record in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings.
It was also the fourth win in four games this season for Madrid against Barcelona in all competitions.
In total, four Madrid players scored more than 16 points, with Mario Hezonja having 19 plus the most crucial free throws of the game, Facundo Campazzo adding 18, and the duo of Dzanan Musa and Alberto Abalde scoring 16 points each.
“Clasico is always special,” Abalde said. “We needed this one. We needed this win at home in front of our fans. Especially now that everything is really tight, this win was important for us.”
Joel Parra, with 20 points, was the top scorer of Barcelona, Jabari Parker added 18 points, and Chimezie Metu added 17; however, Kevin Punter, Jan Vesely, and Juan Nunez were missing, and their absence was felt.
“It was about the details,” Barca coach Joan Penarroya said. “I’m proud of my team. We fought until the end. But, it was indeed about the small details.”
Madrid reacting in the second half
Barcelona managed to be competitive in the first half, having a 25-23 lead at the end of the first period and extending their advantage to three points at halftime (43-40).
The dog fight continued in the second half, however, the roles changed with Madrid getting a 70-67 lead at the end of the third and never trailing in the fourth quarter.
Barcelona did tie the score at 86 with 78 seconds left in the game after a three by Parker, but Madrid answered back with seven unanswered points (93-86).
With a three-pointer, Parra made it a three-point game with three seconds left (94-91), but Hezonja sealed the win with two free throws.
“We got the pressure even from friendly games,” Real coach Chus Mateo said. “It’s because we wear this jersey with the Real Madrid logo. But we try to fight against this. Sometimes, we try to enjoy it even with its suffering.”
Photo credit: EuroLeague