The Real-Baskonia series, which begins on Tuesday, had two overtures during the EuroLeague Regular Season. Here's what happened.
This season's precedents: Real vs. Baskonia
Although they have done so often in Spain, this marks the first time ever that Real Madrid (27-7, first seed) and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (18-16, eighth seed) will square off in a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs series of any length, with their regional rivalry adding an spicy element to this five-game series.
Given its top-ranked run in the regular season, Real would host a potential Game 5 on its home floor should the series require it. On the other hand, Baskonia has outdone Real 10-8 in EuroLeague games between them, including a 3-1 record over the last two seasons, going 3-1.
Of course, they have measured each other twice already in EuroLeague action this season. Here's what went down in those games.
Madrid rallied for revenge at Buesa
Back in Round 1, when Baskonia still had Joan Penarroya as its head coach, visiting Real came away from Buesa Arena with a narrow 77-79 victory. Baskonia led after each of the first three quarters, with Matt Costello, Chima Moneke and Markus Howard impressing, but a 10-17 fourth-quarter run resulted in Real stealing the win. That night, Los Blancos were led by Guerschon Yabusele, Sergio Llull, Dzanan Musa and Vincent Poirier, who combined for 56 points. After being swept by Baskonia in 2022-23, despite going on to win the championship, Real was able to exact some revenge against its bogey team during Chus Mateo's reign.
In their Round 33 rematch, Real Madrid came out the blocks at home to Baskonia and held a 27-17 lead after the first 10 minutes. However, Baskonia then outscored the hosts in each of the last three quarters, reducing the gap to 48-42 at halftime before taking a slender 64-65 lead into the fourth quarter. Howard erupted for 15 points in the final period to match his career high of 35 points, with Baskonia coming away with a memorable 91-95 win. That triumph meant that Baskonia has won on its last two EuroLeague trips to WiZink Center, following Costello's game-winning buzzer-buzzer in the final seconds of last year's contest.