Barcelona did give their all in elimination game three, but Real Madrid did end this season in a sweep as they edged out the Catalan side on the road 90-85.
As hosts entered this game with a must win mentality Real looked more relaxed from the tip off. It was a tight first quarter, as Barca came out with high energy behind filled Blaugrana arena, but Real answered quickly and teams were tied after first 17-17.
Visitors had deja vu from game two in the second quarter as they displayed the same tough defense that blew out Barca three days ago while hitting almost every shot from the field.
Jaycee Carroll was terrific from the bench with 19 points. Andres Nocioni, Carroll, Jonas Maciulis, Sergio Rodriguez combined for 51 points to give Real boost off the bench and push them to a 14-point lead at halftime.
The third quarter was all about Madrid keeping their double digit lead until Ante Tomić’s technical foul after questionable foul call.
The home crowd got fired up, Barcelona finally made some shots and Tomić was on the mission. At one moment he was 12/12 from the field and he finished with 29 points. Barca had their biggest lead after Abrines nailed a three pointer to give the hosts a 5 point lead, but Sergio Rodriguez did hit crazy half court shot to beat the buzzer.
In the final period, Real again established order with great play from their bench players. In the last three minutes Barca started to play desperate as they were down 10. It almost worked because they got the lead down to only three with 30 seconds left, but Jaycee Carroll nailed a tough stepback jumper with 20 seconds left. Real was able to seal the game from the free throw line after that and visitors could start to celebrate another championship. Sergio Llull is the final MVP.
In the end, Real Madrid was the best team in Europe this season, winning both Euroleague and Liga Endesa title in convincing fashion.
