Unicaja Malaga did just about enough to see off the challenge of Laboral Kutxa 76-74 and stay top of the Liga Endesa in an exciting game at the Martin Carpena Arena.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas led the winners with 17 points as a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Vitoria’s Mike James brought his side closer to Unicaja’s total, but not enough.
Real Madrid stay second and Barcelona remain in fifth in the standings as both sides claimed wins over the weekend as they prepare for the Euroleague el’ Clasico on Thursday.
Madrid outclassed Gipuzkoa 86-70 in the Spanish capital as Rudy Fernandez’s team-high 12 points kept them in touch with Unicaja Malaga.
Barcelona were ruthless in their 101-53 mauling of Bruixa d’Or. Mario Hezonja went a perfect 8/8 from three-point land, on his way to a game-high 24 points.
It turned out to be a good weekend for Barca, as they are on right on the heels of local rivals and fourth-placed Joventut Badalona, who slipped up 78-75 at Estudiantes.
Bilbao stays third after they ousted Andorra 84-72. The Andorrans, who made a decent start to the season, now sit just a place away from the drop zone.
It was a disastrous weekend for Valencia as they fell 79-72 away to basement side Seville.
Pierre Oriola led the hosts with 14 points, but the whole team contributed in what was a clinical display of team basketball. They stay bottom, but with performances like that, it won’t be for long.
Rio Monbus got a deserved 80-68 win over Gran Canaria, who continue to lose ground on the top four. Tenerife claimed a vital 83-72 road win against Zaragoza.
UCAM Murcia also won big in the weekend’s round of games, they defeated Fuenlabrada 82-69.
