By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid earned respective wins in Spain’s Liga Endesa Sunday.
A new season-high of 21 points for Cory Higgins highlighted Barca making short work of Coviran Granada, 100-82. Kyle Kuric chipped in 14 points as the Catalonia outfit upped its ACB W-L tally to 7-2. Sertac Sanli, Nicolas Laprovittola, and Alex Abrines were sidelined alongside Nikola Mirotic (Achilles) and Sergi Martinez (left knee).
On the losing end, Thomas Bropleh made it to 27 points, a season-best for the former Boise State standout. However, his side settled for an unceremoniously fall to 5-4.
Los Blancos made out a comfortable domestic win against Real Betis, 73-55, to improve to 7-2 earlier Sunday. Gabriel Deck and Sergio Rodriguez shared a game-high ten points. Sergio Llull did not play. Rudy Fernandez (right wrist), Adam Hanga (left leg), and Guerschon Yabusele (right knee) stayed on the injury list for Chus Mateo’s side.
Cazoo Baskonia dominated in Regular Season Round 9 as well. Backed by Daulton Hommes firing in 21 points, the team guided by Joan Penarroya routed Girona, 95-68. Vanja Marinkovic did not suit up, while Tadas Sedekerskis and Matt Costello did not play. To the opposite end, Marc Gasol posted a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Unicaja matched the team based in Vitoria-Gasteiz at 6-3 by defeating Valencia, 83-67, on the road. The team coached by Alex Mumbru dropped to 4-5. James Webb III was left out of the lineup along with injured teammates Sam Van Rossom (right knee), Millan Jimenez (left ankle), and Martin Hermannsson (left knee).
Elsewhere, UCAM Murcia suffered a home loss, 84-80, to Monbus Obradoiro. Following the game, the Basketball Champions League participant announced the addition of young Georgian combo guard Rati Andronikashvili on a short-term contract.
ACB Round 9:
Gran Canaria – Baxi Manresa 99-88
Carplus Fuenlabrada – Joventut Badalona 81-85
Rio Breogan – Lenovo Tenerife 61-86
Casademont Zaragoza – Surne Bilbao 67-74
Real Betis – Real Madrid 55-73
UCAM Murcia – Monbus Obradoiro 80-84
Cazoo Baskonia – Girona 95-68
FC Barcelona – Coviran Granada 100-82
Valencia – Unicaja 67-83
STANDINGS: Lenovo Tenerife 7-1, Gran Canaria 7-2, FC Barcelona 7-2, Real Madrid 7-2, Unicaja 6-3, Cazoo Baskonia 6-3…
Photo Credit: Barca Basket Twitter