As Real Madrid and Barcelona returned from their Euroleague playoff action, this week’s Liga Endesa got even more interesting.
Barcelona got all of their frustration out on hosts from Zaragoza as they completely annihilated them 103-67.
Barcelona coming of their Euroleague 3-1 series loss to Olympiacos had some extra step in their feet in this one, especially in the second half, as Zaragoza managed to be only down seven after two quarters.
Everything was decided in the third, as Barcelona started playing with more urgency and hitting almost every shot in the quarter which they won by 20. Lead only grew after that as they won by 36 in the end.
Nobody in Barcelona played more than 23 minutes, but DeShaun Thomas stood out the most with 22 points, shooting 9/12 from the field. Chris Goulding led Zaragoza with 19, but he only scored four in the second half, when Barca was able to get away.
Real was in a different mood coming into the game versus Bilbao as they managed to secure a place in the Euroleague Final Four, but that didn’t keep them from playing a good game as they blew out Bilbao 78-52.
Barcelona had their troubles today in the first half, but Real let Bilbao know they didn’t have a chance right from the start as they got to an 23-7 lead.
The hosts continued their domination in the second quarter as they were leading by 28 at half time. Bilbao even managed to win the second half, but it was too little too late.
Real had balanced scoring with four players in double digits with Argentine Facundo Campazzo leading the way with 14. Marko Todorović had 14 for Bilbao.
Unicaja lost their lead in the league this week as they are now tied for the first place with Real after their 75-70 loss to a resurgent Seville.
It’s very important win for Seville as they are now two wins above the relegation zone.
It was a close game throughout until the third quarter when Sevilla opened up a double digit lead for the first time. Unicaja tried to make a comeback in the fourth with good play from Jayson Granger.
Kirk Penney sealed the game for the hosts, as the best player in this one (17 points) knocked a three with four minutes left to put hosts up by eight. Seville’s defense was solid the rest of the way allowing only four points to the league leaders.
Caleb Green was the only one in double digits for Unicaja with 13.
Fuenlabrada managed to get a huge 91-83 win at home against a struggling Laboral Kutxa side, as they are now tied with Manresa at the bottom of the league with eight wins.
Fuenlabrada was tougher from the start, pushing the ball inside the paint as they shot 52 percent for two in the game.
They opened up an 18-point lead in the fourth after a vicious one handed dunk from Jeleel Akindele. Laboral got the lead down to eight, but Fuenlabrada was able to celebrate their important win in the end.
Andy Panko had a great game for the hosts with 23, and Mike James led the losing side with 17.
Elsewhere around the league Valencia edged out Manresa at home 85-81, Estudiantes crushed Obradorio at home 79-57, MoraBanc Andorra got a close win in Murcia 77-73 and Joventut Badalona gave no chance to Gipuzkoa Basket as they won 91-66.
Tenerife-Gran Canaria game was postponed due to Canarians obligations in the Eurocup. That game will be played on May 7.
