Barcelona and Caja Laboral each recorded victories in game one of their respective ACB Play-off semi-final contests.
Caja Laboral snatched home court advantage away from Real Madrid, recording a 81-71 win led by a double-double from center Maciej Lampe, who hit 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Nemanja Bjelica scored 14 points as well for the victors in a game which wasn’t decided until the fourth quarter, when the visitors pulled away winning the last ten minutes 21-12.
Novica Velickovic led Real Madrid with 12 points.
Barcelona were comfortable against Valencia, winning 84-57 and outscoring their opponents in the paint 58-38, a point more than what the visitors posted overall.
The Euroleague semi-finalists, who welcomed Juan Carlos Navarro back into the squad won all four quarters, including a 23-10 start which gave Valencia no hope.
Erazem Lorbek led Barca’s charge with 15 points, closely followed by Pete Mickal and Boniface Ndong’s 14 each.
Brazilian Vitor Faverani scored 19 in vain for Valencia.
Barcelona’s second leg against Valencia is on Sunday whilst Real Madrid look to equal the series with Caja Laboral tomorrow night.
