FC Barcelona - Real Madrid: One win away from the title! (94-79)

Only one win away, and they have two chances to do it. Xavi Pascual’s Barça are just one victory away from winning the Liga Endesa after they pummeled Real Madrid 94 to 79. The Blaugrana, who started the match in spectacular fashion, outscored Los Blancos 50 to 42 in the first half. With this victory Barça can claim the title this Thursday at the Palau.

Fantastic start

In order to beat Real Madrid a team must truly play well from the first second and that’s how Barça approached the mach. Before minute 2, Barça lead 10 to 2 after two three pointers from Nachbar. Navarro, who beat Epi’s playoff scoring record, was also scoring at will. It was a party at the Palau as Barça closed out the first quarter 31 to 20.

Strong defence; lethal attack

Knowing that Real Madrid were going to react, Barça played its cards right. First, they took the biggest lead of the match, +14 (34 to 20), and then they navigated Madrid’s fightback brilliantly. When the team needed him most, Maciej Lampe stepped up. He score two three pointers and took the team from 45 to 36 to 50 to 40. Before the break, Huertas stole the ball from Rodríguez and ceded it to Dorsey, who slammed it home to make it 52 to 40 at the break.

Business time

The game was just as intense at the start of the second half as it was in the first. Barça, who were very accurate from the perimeter, kicked off the second half with two three pointers from Navarro and Papanikolaou. Laso’s men tried to mount a rally, but Barça would have none of it. Once again Navarro, and Huertas, hit from beyond the three point line setting up a fourth quarter with a 16-point advantage.

Game over

The final quarter wasn’t as dramatic as the first three. Madrid, knowing that the game was lost, were unable to battle back, and Barça did well to maintain its advantage. Pascual’s men, who were saving their energy, weren’t as productive, but neither were Madrid’s men. The definitive 94 to 79 leaves Barça with two golden chances to win the title. The first of the two will be played on Thursday, at the Palau, the second will be in Madrid.