By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid returned to EuroLeague victories by pretty much dominating the Clasico against Barcelona 85 – 69, thus remaining at the top of the standings tied with CSKA Moscow at a 20 – 7 record.
Behind Sergio Llull’s 21 points, 6 assists and 2 steals, the “Blancos” controlled the game in its vast majority. The Blaugrana fought mainly for reasons of pride, knowing that they are eliminated from the playoffs already, but their efforts weren’t enough.
Ante Tomic posted a double-double of 12 points/10 rebounds, Tyrece Rise scored 12 and Petteri Koponen 11 for a Barcelona was rarely competitive in the match and performed without a head coach, since Giorgos Bartzokas was ejected with two technicals near the end of the first half.
Despite trailing 41 – 27 at the break, Barca put some strong defense in action to make it a single-digit game, 47 – 38 in the mid of the third. But with Gustavo Ayon (14 points, 5 rebounds) and Anthony Randolph (13 points, 5 rebounds), the hosts began building a strong lead once more until going up by 19, 76 – 57 with six minutes remaining. Barcelona couldn’t recover from that deficit and their arch-rivals ultimately cruised to yet another Clasico win.