Mateo's men accuse the losses and the great yellow success
Unicaja and Barça cut back with the leader
MADRID, 28 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid fell with a crash (100-77) on their visit to Dreamland Gran Canaria this Sunday on matchday 20 of the Endesa League, missing important losses, while Unicaja and Barça beat Valencia Basket (63-83 ) and Zunder Palencia (102-94) to close with the leader.
Chus Mateo's team suffered its third defeat in the last five official matches, without Hezonja, Yabusele, Llull or Tavares on the pitch of a 'Granca' team that was also especially inspired. The Canary Islands team scored up to 15 triples, with Happ (17), Slaughter (16) and Shurna (15), the most in tune.
The white defense did not know how to stop the yellow gale, already with a 25-9 in the first quarter. Madrid seems to be taking a breather before the decisive moment of the season, with the Copa del Rey in Malaga in three weeks and the final stretch of the League and Euroleague. However, the whites maintain the ACB leadership.
Meanwhile, Barça beat Zunder Palencia until the end without solidly planting its defense at the Palau. Roger Grimau's men found the league antidote to their bad streak in the Euroleague, but they had to suffer against a Palencia team that fought them once again on the back of Pasecniks (20 points) and Benite (17).
The Catalans recovered in time the best version of Jabari Parker (18 points), while Nicolás Laprovittola felt competitive again after his injury. Barça also added points with Satoransky, Kalinic and Willy Hernangómez, thus making it 14-6 against a bottom team that is not throwing in the towel.
For its part, Unicaja regained its victorious path to stay one victory behind Real Madrid, with 16-4, at the expense of a Valencia Basket that fell from the 'Top 4'. The Malaga team attacked La Fonteta to win again after losing their streak of 14 consecutive victories last week. David Kravish (16 points) led the Ibon Navarro team's team victory.
In addition, Baskonia remains on the rise in the League after defeating Monbus Obraodorio (89-79). Costello (16 points, 7 rebounds and 22 efficiency) was the best of Dusko Ivanovic's usual soldiers. Jordan Howard, with 20 points, was better than his brother Markus, but the Galicians did not have as many resources.
In addition, the newcomer Fotis Katsikaris made his debut with victory on the Bàsquet Girona bench, at the expense (80-61) of Coviran Granada. The first victory after seven defeats for the Catalans, in a direct duel to move away from the relegation zone, with Yves Pons who was the top scorer (15 points) in Fontajau.