Real Madrid stayed firmly on top of the Liga Endesa after round seven. They comfortably defeated Estudiantes 72-57 in the Spanish capital.
It took the Euroleague side until the second quarter though to get going, trailing 19-16 after one they led 37-35 at half-time then took full control from there.
Nikola Mirotic led the winners with 16 points and 13 rebounds as his side moves to 7-0 in the standings, clear of second placed Valencia who easily beat Fuenlabrada 90-76 on the road thanks to 20 points from Justin Doellman.
Barcelona though suffered their second defeat of the season as they were comprehensively beaten 77-60 away to Blusens Monbus.
The hosts’ confidence would have been boosted by this result as they move to 2-5 in the league. Alberto Corbacho’s 14 points was enough to secure the win for Blusens, as Barca’s new boys continue to struggle to coach Xavi Pascual’s way of coaching.
Laboral Kutxa are now on to 4-3 after beating La Bruixa d’Or 69-64 on the road. Tibor Pliess came off the bench to pace Vitoria with 14 points, the only player in double digits.
Unicaja Malaga saw-off Bilbao 75-68 in an intense encounter. The win though leaves Malaga 5-2 thus far as Bilbao continue to struggle at just 1-6.
Ryan Toolson had 16 to pace the Euroleague side.
Zaragoza edged Joventut Badalona 87-83 at home. A high scoring first quarter saw the hosts up 30-20, but the Catalan side fought back to hold Zaragoza to just nine points in the third to leave the score at 65-62 heading into the final ten minutes.
The Eurocup side though had enough fight left to muster a win and go to 4-3. Viktor Sanikidze led the winners with 16 points and six rebounds.
After a 5-0 start, Gran Canaria have dropped their second straight game as they lost 68-58 at home to Seville. Brad Newley’s 13 points were not enough as 17 from Latavious Williams secured the win.
Other games saw Murcia beat Valladolid 101-90. And Canarias edged Gipuzkoa 76-75.
