The Euroleague is played from power to power. Every victory is sweated profusely. This level of equality in the tournament was witnessed again by Madrid, who defeated Armani Milan 91-87 in another very close match. The Whites had fallen sighing against Baskonia and Efes in recent days and bowed with clenched jaws to Valencia. Against the Messina team, more of the same.
Madrid stuck to the ease of Musa, a 27-point whirlwind, who was allied abroad with Hezonja (12), while Tavares commanded under the hoops (17 points and eight rebounds). With this offensive arsenal, Chus Mateo’s group finally decided a stormy back-and-forth game, with the Italian team always playing against each other and earning little revenue for a few minutes of the game. Musa finished the job to continue in the tournament. Olympiacos didn’t give up either at the top of the Euroleague, who clinched another narrow win when Zalgiris visited: 72-74.
In the middle zone, Baskonia Maccabi lost (93:79) in a duel between direct rivals on the border for a place in the quarter-finals. Baldwin (24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists), Nebo (15 points and 14 rebounds) and Lorenzo Brown (17 points) were a martyrdom for Joan Peñarroya’s team, aided by Giedraitis (18 points and seven rebounds) and Darius Thompson (17 points and seven assists).
And the win for Valencia against Fenerbahçe (82-80) with a slap from Webb with three tenths to go. Dubljevic (18 points and seven rebounds) led to a win that leaves Mumbrú’s men with options to advance. This Friday (8.30 p.m.) Barça welcomes Red Star.
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