Real Madrid Claims 2018 Liga Endesa Crown
Real Madrid is back on top of the Spanish Liga Endesa after winning the 2018 Championship in Game 4 of the finals. They sealed the deal via an 85-96 over Baskonia. Real Madrid claimed back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, then came in second in 2017 (Valencia Basket won the title). This season, they would not be denied triumph and glory. This win is the perfect final chapter to an epic 2017-18 season. The Spanish Juggernaut already claimed the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown in May and now their stock as one of Europe’s top teams is on the rise.
On another level, this is a bittersweet moment for the franchise. With the series’ conclusion, their star player, Slovenian Sensation Luka Doncic is set to head to the US for the NBA Draft as a potential top-5 pick. So this game was likely his last for the franchise. He was limited to eight points in this decisive game but powered the team to victory in Game 3 with a 20-point explosion. His contributions to the team this season cannot be overstated so Real Madrid will need to come up with a framework on how to move on.
Real Madrid attacked Baskonia on two fronts. They crushed their hosts on the glass, 31 rebounds to 22. Real Madrid also got a huge boost from veteran Rudy Fernandez, who turned back the clock to deliver 27 points after heating up from downtown, connecting on 6-of-9 treys. Facundo Campazzo was the team’s main facilitator on offense with 14 points and seven dimes. Overall, they put up an excellent team effort which they parlayed into this huge win.
Baskonia had the initiative on their side early on. They just could not handle Real Madrid’s assault in the second half. Rodrique Beaubois led all Baskonia scorers with 19 points and Tornike Shenegalia chipped in 16 points of his own.
Real Madrid are crowned the Kings of the Liga Endesa. A well-deserved win. They can sit back and enjoy the pride and accolades for the moment but will need to get back on their horse soon enough to prepare for what should be an epic 2018-19 season.