By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The thesis that the ACB league is the most competitive domestic competition in Europe is once again proved, with EuroLeague sides faltering in Round 27.
Real Madrid suffered its second home defeat of the season in Spain, with BAXI Manresa snapping its winning streak of six games at the WiZink Center with a final score of 72-83.
Pedro Martinez’s side took control midway through the second quarter and led all the way to the end, repelling the EuroLeague leaders’ surge in the last quarter to notch the biggest win of the season and improve its position in the battle for the playoffs.
Brancou Badio was the man of the match with 20 points and two assists, followed by Devin Robinson with 16 points and Martinas Geben with 10.
For Real Madrid, which played without Mario Hezonja, Vincent Poirier scored 19 points, one rebound shy of a double-double. Gabriel Deck and Guerschon Yabusele added 12 points each, and the French power forward grabbed seven boards.
Despite mishandling a 13-point lead, FC Barcelona recovered to secure an away win, 89-84, against Monbus Obradoiro in Spain’s Liga Endesa Regular Season.
Nicolas Laprovittola piled up 21 points with 9/15 field goals. Jan Vesely chipped in 18 points and seven rebounds until fouling out down the stretch of the Round 27 contest. Oriol Pauli and Jabari Parker were out for the ACB champions.
Thomas Scrubb producing a game-high 24 points was not enough for the hosts amid a battle to avoid relegation.
While Real Madrid lost at home, Valencia was defeated on the road by Gran Canaria on the other early affair on Sunday. The hosts secured a 79-71 win with a strong final-minute push.
Ethan Happ led Jaka Lakovic’s team with 20 points, A.J. Slaughter had 13, Ben Lammers added 11 with seven rebounds, and Pierre Pelos had 10. Brandon Davies’ 24 points, Stefan Jovic’s 13, and eight assists didn’t help Alex Mumbru’s side, with Semi Ojeleye adding 11 points.
ACB Round 27
Rio Breogan – Surne Bilbao 68-80
Zunder Palencia – Lenovo Tenerife 68-89
Baskonia – Casademont Zaragoza 102-94
Unicaja – Girona 111-80
Real Madrid – BAXI Manresa 72-83
Dreamland Gran Canaria – Valencia 79-71
Coviran Granada – Joventut Badalona 86-83
UCAM Murcia – MoraBanc Andorra 99-86
Monbus Obradoiro – FC Barcelona 84-89
STANDINGS: Real Madrid 23-4, Unicaja 22-5, FC Barcelona 18-9, UCAM Murcia 17-10, Lenovo Tenerife 17-10, Dreamland Gran Canaria 17-10…