After a slow start, Laboral Kutxa is now firmly back amongst the playoff contenders as they defeated an old Euroleague rival, which plummeted them down the Liga Endesa table.
The Vitoria side outgunned Barcelona 103-94 at home to move to ninth – one spot off the playoff places – and drop Barca down to the confines of fifth.
Mike James and Fernando San Emeterio each totalled 17 points as they helped Laboral Kutxa race to a 48-38 lead and despite the Catalan giants mounting a third quarter comeback to narrow the margin after three quarters, the hosts held on for a big win.
Unicaja Malaga remain league leaders but they came so close to giving up their coveted top spot, eventually hanging on to beat Andorra 77-74. Free throws from Ryan Toolson gave them the advantage, leaving the hosts with a possession left. A hurried three-pointer was strong, but David Navarro collected the offensive board and looked to be fouled when attempting his long-range shot.
The referees however saw no contact, and Malaga escaped with a priceless victory. Toolson hit four threes, en route to 17 points.
Real Madrid are still hot on their heels in second though after they passed a stern test, winning 88-80 away to Gran Canaria.
The visitors though had to come from behind in the third quarter to bag the win, as they were held to a mere 9 points, before trailing 38-28 at the half-time interval. But whatever coach Pablo Laso said at the break spurned on Real, as they stormed out the blocks edging to a three-point lead heading into the fourth before sealing the win in the final ten minutes.
Sergio Llull and veteran Andres Nocioni both had 14 points to lead Real.
This season’s surprise package Joventut Badalona continue to be the talk of the league as they beat Zaragoza 73-67 to stay in third spot and pick up their fourth straight success. Clevin Hannah led the victors with 17 points.
Tenerife stayed in the hunt for playoff spot, along with Laboral Kutxa as they ousted bottom side Seville 82-61. Nicolas Richotti paced Tenerife with 16 points. Bruixa d’Or’s revival continued as they beat Rio Monbus 78-59.
Bilbao won 91-85 on the road to Fuenlabrada, while Valencia thrashed UCAM Murcia 81-63 and Estudiantes gained another priceless win, as they move further away from the Liga Endesa drop zone, they beat Gipuzkoa 76-62 on the road.
