History says that it is very difficult, almost impossible. It has been more than 30 years, since the title won in 1992, that Joventut have not won in a League playoff tie at Real Madrid. Since then, five matches, all in white. But with Kyle Guy anything is possible. The American, Baskonia’s quarter-final executioner with two memorable performances, repeated his display at the WiZink against Real Madrid to lead the green-and-blacks to their first victory in the opening semi-finals. The escort started erratically, but in the second half he uncorked the essences with eight triples and a total of 30 points.
The initial jump gave way to a cheerful first quarter, with exchange of baskets, and a high pace, without speculation. That scenario smiled first on the whites, who came to dominate clearly (13-3). La Penya did not change. The visiting inside game, practically unheard of against Baskonia, was noticed this time. With a daring Tomic at the helm, unafraid of the giant Tavares, the gap narrowed. At the end of the first half, Carles Duran’s men were already leading Madrid (22-18) and in the second quarter, the Croatian pivot took advantage of the absence of his Cape Verdean counterpart to become master and lord of the area. With Poirier still rancid, Chus Mateo opted for a quintet of underdogs. Tomic assisted and scored to his heart’s content (11 points at half-time), while Busquets, Feliz and Vives executed from 6.75.
The defense of Joventut suffocated the shooters of a Madrid that did not do the same with Guy, uncertain until the last play before the break. Indiana put Badalona in front (39-42) with their first triple, on the horn. He didn’t mind having Hanga on top of him. It was the start of his festival, which continued with five triples in the third quarter, four in a row. The green-and-blacks were at their best, 12 points up, but Madrid’s response was devastating. Tavares began to abuse his defenders and Musa found inspiration before a final quarter with everything to decide (64-67).
Despite facing the European champion and the pressure of WiZink, the green-and-blacks did not have their pulse trembling in the last ten minutes. Musa evened the match (73-73), when Guy appeared again, and closed the match with eight points in a row, including two more three-pointers.
