A toned Barça knocks out Real Madrid

Barça scored an always rewarding victory in a Clásico against Real Madrid by winning (85-79) this Sunday on matchday 28 of the Endesa League held at the Palau Blaugrana, to defend third position and top seed status in the playoffs, while the whites also lost the lead.

Roger Grimau’s men started and finished a clash against their eternal rival very well in which the whites, who had to make a great effort to get into the game after a 27-11 lead in the first quarter, suffered their third consecutive defeat. Nicolás Laprovittola (25 points) was the best, but there was more.

Barça had the best version since the return of Ricky Rubio, they were successful at the start and also calm in the second half when Madrid’s reaction came. Chus Mateo’s men were defeated by haste, with Edy Tavares and Vincent Poirier eliminated, ceding the lead of the League in favor of Unicaja.

Those from the capital once again demonstrated that fallow stretch, without sowing while waiting for the decisive moment of the season, although with the danger of getting too distracted. The third defeat in a row, all three in the last week with that of Baskonia in the Euroleague, was seen coming when Barça achieved an advantage of more than 20 points.

Between ‘Lapro’ and Rubio they dynamited the match, Barça being better in everything, with a good interior defense and also canceling out Facundo Campazzo. All in all, Madrid was learning from its mistakes and showed itself in the game before the break, when Sergio Llull and Gabi Deck greatly improved the visitors’ success (45-33).

The dynamic then looked dangerous for Barça, but Grimau’s men always stayed ahead. ‘Lapro’ was once again vital in the third quarter, as was Jabari Parker, with the Barça team not panicking despite the fact that the lead had disappeared. Tavares didn’t have his day but Poirier did hurt inside.

However, both were left out of the equation due to fouls, with much protest from the whites, who had once again tightened the score to 64-63 with seven minutes remaining. Madrid lost its way in those eliminations and, without the strength to continue with the pick and shovel, Mateo’s men looked for the direct one.

Thus, not even Campazzo, Yabusele or Hezonja had the triples and Barça had a lethal Laprovittola, like during the week against Maccabi in another decisive victory in the Euroleague. Grimau’s men celebrated a Clásico that helps them remain alone in third position, in addition to endorsing confidence for a serious stretch where Madrid, despite being tied in the League with Unicaja, continues to be the rival to beat as in European competition .