Spain: Real surges to the title at home
Real Madrid reclaimed the Spanish League title from defending champion FC Barcelona on Sunday with a 81-74 home victory that sealed a 3-1 decision in their best-of-five final series.
It was the 36th national title for Real since 1957, but its first of this decade, and came with Chus Mateo on the bench after head coach Pablo Laso suffered a heart attack before the series but was well enough to celebrate with his team on Sunday. Real held the upper hand early but could not escape Barca until a 12-3 fourth-quarter run provided the cushion needed to prevail. Walter Tavares ruled Game 4 for Real with 25 points and 13 rebounds, including 7 on the offensive glass. Fabien Causeur followed with 17 points, including 6 in the next-to-last minute that sealed the deal. Barca got 14 points from Nikola Mirotic, 13 from Dante Exum and 12 from Nick Calathes.