By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid was trailing by 16, 33 – 49 near the beginning of the second half but managed a large comeback to beat Joventut Badalona 81 – 78 on the road for Week 17 of the Spanish league.
In combination with Barcelona’s defeat in the hands of Tenerife, the “Blancos” are now the sole holders of the top spot in the standings with a 13 – 3 record. Meanwhile, Badalona flirts with the relegation zone having only four wins in the championship.
Real unleashed its comeback charge in the mid of the fourth period. Being down by nine, 74 – 65, Felipe Reyes (18 points, 5 rebounds), Sergio Llull (12 points, 6 assists) and Anthony Randolph (y7 points) charged for a 0 – 13 run that put their team ahead 74 – 76 with 1:28 to go.
The game was close until the final seconds where Sergi Vidal and Luka Bogdanovic, two of Badalona’s top players in the game with 16 and 14 points respectively, lost back-to-back opportunities from beyond the arc to force an overtime.
In the other matches of the Gameday, Tenerife’s victory over Barcelona was definitely the surprise of the week. Or perhaps not, given that the winners generally top notch shape and the huge problems of the Blaugrana that are also highlighted in their poor offensive performance in this match.
Barcelona is now tied at the second place with a 12 – 4 record, same as Tenerife and Valencia that defeated Estudiantes at home. In the meantime, Baskonia had no problem vs Bilbao thanks to a well-balanced performance on both ends and also retired the jersey of Pablo Prigioni.
The last ticket for the Copa Del Rey was also clinched today with Morabanc Andorra returning to the tournament for the first time since 1995!
Liga Endesa 2016-17 – 17th Day
MoraBanc Andorra – Real Betis Energía Plus 95 – 69 (Shermandini 22 p.)
Baskonia – RETAbet Bilbao Basket 84 – 63 (Beaubois 21 p.)
Divina Seguros Joventut – Real Madrid 78 – 81 (Reyes 18 p.)
Iberostar Tenerife – FC Barcelona Lassa 71 – 60 (Bogris 16 p.)
Valencia Basket Club – Movistar Estudiantes 93 – 85 (Dubljevic 17 p.)
Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro – Montakit Fuenlabrada 72 – 91 (Rupnik 16 p.)
Tecnyconta Zaragoza – ICL Manresa 87 – 77 (Norel 21 p.)
Unicaja – UCAM Murcia CB 88 – 76 (Musli 19 p.)