By Eurohoops team / [email protected]
A few days ago, Barcelona beat Unicaja on the road to take a 1–0 lead in the best-of-three ACB League quarterfinal series, but the Basketball Champions League winners bounced back in style.
Ibon Navarro’s side dominated at Palau Blaugrana, earning a 59–81 road win to tie the series and bring it back to Malaga for a decisive third game.
Kendrick Perry led the way with 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists for the winning side, while Alek Balcerowski and Tyson Carter followed with 14 points each. Kim Tillie added 10 points.
On the other side, Kevin Punter scored 12 points, and the only other player to finish in double figures was Joel Parra with 11.
Real Madrid wins in Vitoria, advances to semifinals
While Barcelona struggled, Real Madrid defeated Baskonia 103–112 at the Fernando Buesa Arena and booked a ticket to the semifinals, eliminating Pablo Laso’s side in the process.
Sergio Llull led the way with 19 points, while Facundo Campazzo and Andres Feliz each added 17. Edy Tavares posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Mario Hezonja and Dzanan Musa chipped in with 12 apiece, and Bruno Fernando came close to a double-double of his own with 8 points and 10 boards.
In the final game of the season for Pablo Laso’s team, Trent Forrest stood out with 30 points and seven assists. Luka Šamanić contributed 19, while Chima Moneke and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot also scored in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The other ACB League semifinal matchup is already set, with Valencia and Tenerife facing off for a place in the final.