By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
15 points, a career-high 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 32 (second career-best) in PIR. Luka Doncic was here, there and everywhere on the floor as Real Madrid defeated Baskonia 86 – 82 to regain first place of the Spanish League, now improving to a 19 – 7 record. What is more, they became the first team in Spain to mathematically lock a playoff berth.
Among all the above, the 18-year-old Slovenian delivered one of the sickest assists of the season. Not only in Spain, but Europe in general.
Goodness gracious Luka Doncic (vid by @MovistarBasket) pic.twitter.com/mCCW9HsfFw
— Eurohoops.net (@Eurohoopsnet) April 9, 2017
Real Madrid held a 40 – 38 lead at halftime and entered the fourth period up 65 – 59, but Baskonia turned into a thriller. With a bit more than one minute left, Sito Alonso’s guys even went ahead 77 – 80 after a 3-pointer by Adam Hanga. Yet, an unsportsmanlike foul by Chase Budinger gave Real Madrid the opportunity to not only tie the score but gain the lead thanks to a downtown bucket by Anthony Randolph for the 82 – 80. With only seconds remaining, the”Blancos” didn’t look back.
Rodrigue Beaubois (19 points) and Shane Larkin (16 points, 5 assists) were the top performers of Baskonia that is now tied at the fourth place of the table with Barcelona which beat Zaragoza. Both team have a 18-8 record, while Valencia leads the league standings (19-6), Real Madrid is currently second (19-7) and Tenerife dropped to the third spot (19-8) after losing to Andorra.
Liga Endesa 2016/2017 – Week 28
Andorra – Tenerife 85 – 82
Real betis – Bilbao 73 – 85
Obradoiro – Unicaja Malaga 70 – 78
Barcelona – Zaragoza 91 – 88
Estudiantes – Murcia 109 – 84
Joventut Badalona – Gran Canaria 86 – 72
Real Madrid – Baskonia 86 – 82
Manresa – Valencia 73 – 94