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Barca looking to a win by 25 points

They know full well how realistic that is but they would be happy with any kind of a win since this is, regardless of everything, the El Classico,

El Classico was rarely ever as irrelevant as it is today. Granted, these two teams are in the race for top spot in this group but that is more about prestige than anything else since it definitely won't see either team facing an easier opponent in playoffs. Besides, it will be very difficult for Barcelona to win by 25 points, which was the final difference for Real in the first head-to-head. Barcelona's coach Pascual is full aware of that:

- A win by 25 points in El Classico happened very rarely in the past and we know it. But we won't give up and our initial goal is to win. If there is even the least chance for us to win by 25 points, we'll try and make that happen.

Pascual's team will have an even tougher job since Doellman is out. He is not only Barcelona's top player but he also plays at position 4, which gives his guards huge trouble since he can play both in the key and outside of it. Veteran Nachbar is set to spend more time on the floor today but he is not Doellaman's level anymore.

The reporters asked Pascual what was happening with Hezonja, who was getting a lot of time on the floor in the first part of the season but now seems to be forgotten:

- It's normal in a development of such a young player. We have lots of choice at his positions and now everyone can always play. That's all there is to it.

Hezonja will probably be back on the list of 12 players since Doellman is out. Let's just add that he was the only player whose performance was note-worthy in the last Euroleague head-to-head with Real that finished 97-73. Hezonja finished with 22 points and 5 three pointers back then, not showing any respect for Real's stars. The more experienced Navarro and Oleson will probably be coach's choice today before him just like Abrines, who is doing very well lately.

Real is getting back in shape slowly following two consecutive defeats. After the Euroleague win over Maccabi, they destroyed Estudiantes in the Spanish championship last weekend and are now in high spirits ahead of the trip to Barcelona. 

- It will be a great European game, it's El Classico. Both teams secured playoffs and home court. It is now only a matter which one will finish top table. That is not very important since we don't know who the potential oppontns from the other group might anyway - coach Laso said.

This is truly one of the least important derby matches between Real and Barcelona ever, which could result in a more laid-back game that normal. Laso always want a win too:

- It's a game against Barcelona, there is no holding back. We can lose by up to 25 points but that is not an option. The opponents are tough but I think we have a response for that.

Carroll, who turned into one of Real's top players lately thinks alike:  

- We want to confirm the top spot in Barcelona. They are always very good against us and thinking that we can lose by 24 points might be dangerous. We need to win.

Barcelona and Real met 4 times this season. Real recorded 3 wins, two of which easily. The other two were a tough and unproductive battle. The home team won the only game in Barcelona easily, even tough they had to do without Oleson, Navarro, and Abrines. 

Real have been looking for a way to win here for years now and keep on failing. Ante Tomic has been doing brilliantly the last few games against Real since the visitors don't seem to have a solution for him, which is not surprising since they concede most points from front court positions and Tomic is Euroleague's top center. 

There are a couple of reasons to take this bet. First of all, Ante Tomic is Euroleague's best center. Besides, he played in Real and such matches are always special for him, which he confirmed this season in the Cup finals where he kept Barcelona's game alone. Next, Real this season concedes a lot of points from the paint, which is not strange since their centers are desperate. Tomic's home games are incomparable to away ones. Also, Barca doesn't have Doellman in the paint, that's OK, him and Tomic are not the same position, but when they are paired up on court, they assist each other. Now he won't do that with Nachbar because the Slovenian camps at the three-pointers, so Tomic will have a lot more freedom in the paint. Lastly, the match in of great importance, and each one like that coach Pascual played wit Tomic in game for around 30 minutes. All that calls for a bigger odds on this bet. It's available on bet365 and WHill, and you can find it at a lot better margin in betting houses.