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After a dramatic comeback against the host and with a clear edge in quality, roster depth, and interior play, Real Madrid enter the final as strong favorites against Baskonia, who will need to exceed themselves to pull off another upset.
Betting on the Handicap
This season’s Copa del Rey final will feature Real Madrid and Baskonia.
Real Madrid reached this game after a thriller against tournament hosts Valencia. Los Blancos started terribly, allowing their opponent to build an 18-point lead after just the first 10 minutes. They stabilized in the second quarter and almost erased the deficit, and by the end of the third quarter the game was evenly balanced. Early in the final period, Valencia regained a solid advantage, and when the scoreboard showed 99–89 with four and a half minutes remaining, it seemed the hosts would become the first finalists. That was when Mario Hezonja stepped up, hitting several crucial three-pointers to spark a huge comeback and send his team into yet another final.
In the second semifinal, Baskonia managed to cause an upset and prevent an El Clásico in the final. Unlike their previous game, which they won thanks to strong perimeter shooting, this time defense made the difference. They held Barcelona to just 67 points and, through clutch sequences by Luwawu-Cabarrot, Rodions Kurucs, and Trent Forrest, secured a long-awaited place in the final.
Real Madrid enter this final as absolute favorites. Roster depth and quality, experience, tradition, and more recovery time are all on their side. The key advantage should come in the paint, as Baskonia currently have only Mamadi Diakite available at center. Although he performed well in the previous two games, he lacks the size and strength to match up equally with Edy Tavares and Real’s other big men. Considering Mario Hezonja’s current shooting form and the overall momentum of the Madrid squad, it is difficult to see how Baskonia could produce another major surprise.
