Real Madrid entered the Final Four as the best team in total and defensive rebounding, and was ranked second in offensive boards per game. Los Blancos used that strength on the glass to pull out the semifinals win over FC Barcelona.
Key stat: Real's fourth-quarter rebounding
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Real has outrebounded opponents by 6.6 rebounds per game this season, but was on the wrong end of that margin against Barcelona, which set the tone early on the backboards and kept a 25-28 rebounding advantage through three quarters.
However, in the final quarter it was Real that grabbed 10 boards to just 6 by Barcelona. More importantly, half of those 10 were on the offensive glass, including two key plays of the game.
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With Real holding a 79-80 margin, Gabriel Deck came out of nowhere to get an offensive board that led to a layup by Sergio Llull with 22 seconds to go. Then, in the final seconds and with Real clinging to an 83-85 lead, Guerschon Yabusele snatched a missed free throw by Llull, then drew a foul with 2.8 to go, which proved too little time for Barcelona to threaten.
It was Deck's second and Yabusele's third offensive rebound of the game, as Real finished with 14 for the night, compared to Barcelona's 12. Just enough for a win over its biggest rival.