Unicaja Malaga comfortably saw off the challenge of Bilbao 86-74 in the Liga Endesa’s top of the table clash as the hosts clinical finishing in the open court proved too much.
The Euroleague side quickly moved into a 53-39 lead, midway into the third period thanks to back-to-back triples from Ryan Toolson and Jayson Granger and from there, they never looked back.
Toolson had a team-high 18 points for Unicaja. Alex Mumbru led all scorers for Bilbao with 23.
But Real Madrid (2nd) and Joventut Badalona (3rd) are hot on Malaga’s heels as both sides recorded wins. Real ousted struggling Bruixa d’Or 83-66 on the road, as Sergio Llull led the victors with 17. And Joventut claimed a 75-64 home win over a battling Seville side, who remain bottom.
Veteran Demond Mallet led Badalona with 16 points, as Goran Suton, a player in form was held to just 2 points.
Barcelona picked up an impressive 71-56 win at Andorra, normally a difficult place to play away from home and stayed in fourth. The Liga Endesa champions though, after a closely-fought first half, tied at 25-25, raced away in the third to lead by 10 points and pull away for the win.
Alejandro Abrines led Barca with 19 points, with Georgios Bogris repling with 18 for the hosts. Victor Sada returned for Andorra and played against his former club; he contributed 7 points for the Andorrans.
Valencia ran out 89-76 winners at home to Fuenlabrada as they went clear after a strong quarter. Luke Harangody starred with 16 for the hosts. Zaragoza picked up a vital away win 76-61 against Gipuzkoa.
Gran Canaria stayed in the playoff places with a 79-63 win over Estudiantes. Tenerife recorded an impressive 78-72 win at home to UCAM Murcia and Laboral Kutxa continued their rise up the standings with an 85-77 win over Rio Monbus.
