Playing with fire so much usually has consequences. For the second time that Real Madrid was not at its competitive level in three days, defeat came at the WiZink. A wonderful BAXI Manresa, supported by the nerve and talent of Brancou Badio knocked down the whites, this time incapable of coming back, of correcting too many mistakes. [72-83: Narracin y estadsticas]
Contrast the visitor’s seriousness with the local anxiety. It was like this all morning in the Palace. The ACB leader seemed like the group of Pedro Martinez, solid against the attacks of Madrid, aggressive and successful, an exercise that confirms the revelation team of the Endesa League, which was already present in the Malaga Cup and it is very likely that it will also be present in the next playoffs. With this Sunday’s victory there are already four victories in a row and 16 so far this year.
When the responsibility burned the most, with Madrid pushing for a comeback, a hero appeared in Bags’ team. Badio, formerly of Bara, hit a tremendous triple with a minute and a half remaining that sealed everything. There were 12 of their 23 points in the final act, to which Madrid arrived very quickly, despite the fact that Sergio Rodriguez and Poirier They threatened another trademark comeback.
The match was similar from the beginning to Friday’s match against Red Star, although this time Real Madrid does have latent objectives in ACB, to maintain that first place that it has held since the beginning of the season. And furthermore, Chus Mateo recovered three of its mainstays (Campazzo, Deck and Poirier), who rested in the Euroleague. And, although the start was happy (11-2), Manresa soon regrouped to leave WiZink with a great first half.
With intensity and tactical wisdom he managed to make Madrid doubt. Gradually he took over all facets of the game until he added a run of 12-29 and saw himself up nine (23-31, after a triple of Give), with the good direction of Dani Presthe points of Robinson and the defense that made a hasty Madrid lose balls. On Friday, Hezonja (who did not play this time, despite being called up), said it clearly, as usual: “The first half was summer basketball, a shame.” It could be applied this time too.
On the return the sensations did not improve much for a lazy Madrid, which was late for almost everything and even missed unusual baskets. In addition to all the triples. A serious Manresa took advantage of all this, with a triple Oriola put the alarming +11 (38-49). And then the nerves. Because the referees didn’t give a single one, always desperately corrected by the reviews. And in such anxiety to come back, that got everyone mad.
With three triples out of 25 hits, Madrid’s mission became impossible. Campazzo, Tavares and Musa Grays, Hezonja resting and only Poirier and some Deck. With the emergence of Badio, came Madrid’s second home defeat in the entire ACB season in a weekend of not very good feelings in the WiZink.