The Euroleague continues to accelerate, just five weeks (eight days) for the end of the regular phase and faces in this the sixth of the course with a double match in the middle of a three-way fight for the leadership in which Madrid and Barça are involved. The two Spanish clubs along with Olympiacos they match up with 18 winsalthough the whites are first with a higher percentage of victories (72%) because they have one less match, the postponed one in Istanbul against Efes that will be played next Tuesday the 14th.
A fight with three protagonists that will experience a new chapter on two courts, since Olympiacos and Barça meet in Piraeus (20:00, Dazn) in a Final Four duel after Barca’s league hit in Zaragoza. Those of Bartzokas, former culé coach, also stumbled rudely last week in Milan (83-62) giving up their lead to Madrid, who wins but is not enthusiastic. Two similar games against Asvel Villeurbanne and Obradoiro, from more to less asking for the time at the end. Tavares did not play in Santiago in the League and It is a serious doubt this Tuesday with a sprained left ankle, while Rudy has trained after spending a few days with a fever. Poirier, with the help of Cornelie, Yabusele and also Deck as power forward, would fill in for Edy if he finally cannot act, the most difficult loss to compensate for the squad.
The rival, the Cazoo Baskonia (20:45, Dazn), one that resists him this season: two duels and two defeats, both at Buesa at a crazy pace. The last one, on December 29 in the continental tournament (92-86) with 28 points from Markus Howard in 23:53, now in a small bump, and 21 from Giedraitis. But there is more, because The team from Vitoria is one of the few with which Madrid maintains a negative balance in the Euroleague: 7-8. Joan Peñarroya recovers Sedekerskis. “We have a thorn stuck in and want to face them. They make 11 triples on average, which defines their game very well”recognizes Chus Mateo, who adds: “We also know how to run. If we circulate the ball well, get released shots and put them in, we can win.”. Madrid has a record of 39-11 after adding his 50th game of the season on Sunday: “Basketball has many faces, many moments and there is a lot to improve, but I am happy. It is an anecdote that we are first at this point, although denotes a good job”.
On Thursday, Real will receive Valencia and the Baskonia, on Friday, Monaco. Barça, meanwhile, will fly from Athens to Istanbul to go from one Final Four challenge to another, from Olympiacos to Fenerbahçe from Itoudis, and from Calathes, Nigel Hayes… “We should be very excited to play in two incredible environments”says Jasikevicius, who speaks of the Greek bloc like this: “Olympiacos is one of the best in Europe. A team that move the ball and players to a level that sooner or later you lose. They are the best and we will need extreme concentration.”. Refers to Vezenkovthe most valued in the Euroleague (23.2), the highest scorer (18.1), the highest rebounder (7.4); to Sloukasmaximum assistant (6.6); ya walkupfirst in recoveries (1.8). Higgins and Mirotic return (perhaps Da Silva after overcoming low back pain), who rested in Zaragoza with very bad consequences: “Those who played did not take advantage of the opportunity at all and some will not have many more”.
In the last ten days, Madrid and Olympiacos are equal with 8-2 and Barça leads 7-3. The top three along with Partizan, also 7-3. Baskonia, on the other hand, still in playoff positions, has suffered: 3-7. Let’s see today.
The three dominate the history of doubleheaders
Madrid, Olympiacos and Barça lead the table before facing the sixth double day of the season, but it is that the three are also at the forefront of the historical ranking of these weeks with two meetings since they were introduced to the Euroleague in the 2016-17 season.
The whites are in the lead with 80 games played in double shift and a balance of 60-20 (a fantastic 75% win rate), are followed by the azulgranas with 52-28 (65%) and then the red army of Piraeus with 49-30 (62%). CSKA, Efes and Fenerbahçe are equal to 46 victories. Baskonia accumulates a 38-42 (47%) and Valencia Basket a 22-24 (also 47%).
