Real Madrid beat Barcelona in Game 4 of the ACB Finals to win 36th title

Real Madrid are champions of the Spanish league after beating arch rival Barcelona in Game 4 of the ACB Finals. Walter Tavares had 25 points to lead Madrid to the 81-74 victory.

Madrid make it number 36 at home

Many in the basketball world consider Spain to have the best domestic league, and “Los Blancos” just wrapped up their 36th league championship, nine more than the closest contender, Barcelona and 27.

Barcelona came into the season not just the favorites to win the Spanish league, but favorites to win the Euroleague after building a super team that had the mindset of championship or bust. Madrid beat them in the Euroleague semifinals and then met them in the Finals of the domestic league.

Real Madrid won the opener in Barcelona to start the series off on the right foot, but lost Game 2 away from home to send the series to the Spanish capital tied at 1-1.

Tavares takes over in Game 4

Madrid blew out the Blaugrana in Game 3 at home which set up an all important Game 4. Both teams got off to slow starts in the elimination game as the first quarter ended 13-10 in favor of the home side.

The game was played on a razors edge for the first 30 minutes as Barcelona went into the final quarter up by one. A 12-3 Real Madrid run to start the fourth quarter gave the madrileños an advantage they would not let go of on the shoulders of Walter Tavares and Fabian Causer.

Causer had 8 of his 17 in the final quarter to open up the advantage for the Madrid. Tavares continued to dominate the paint as he has did all series, ending the game with 25 points and 13 rebounds to be named the MVP of the ACB Finals.

The win was especially emotional considering their head coach Pablo Laso suffered a heart attack in the midst of the series. He has since recovered and was in attendance to watch his team hoist their record setting trophy.