Unicaja Malaga, Solo Leader at Liga Endesa

In the wake of the results of Round 11 of the regular season in the Spanish Liga Endesa, Unicaja Malaga has emerged as the league’s solo leader. The team’s 82-76 win at home against Baloncesto Sevilla has secured their 10-1 record. Sevilla, on the other hand, falls to 13th place (3-8). The top team had strong first and fourth quarters to secure the win. Unicaja rallied behind the tremendous effort of Kostas Vasiliadis, who ended the night with a game-high 24 points. Sevilla was led by Willy  Hernangomez, who put up 21 points.

FC Regal Barcelona vs. CAI Zaragoza, 90-67

This was an easy win at home for Barca, as they managed to dictate the game’s ebb and flow from the very beginning. Their victory lands them in second place in the league and are now 9-2. CAI Zaragoza may have been outmatched in this game, but are still very much in the hunt for a post-season berth. They sit in sixth place, leading several mid-pack teams with their 6-5 record. Tibor Pleiss led four other players who managed to hit double figures with his 15 points. Barca’s balanced attack once again has proved too much for their opponents to handle. Stevan Jevolac paced CAI Zaragoza with 15 points of his own.

Bilbao Basket vs. Real Madrid, 89-79

This was a critical game in the round. Real Madrid’s loss opened the door for Unicaja Malaga to secure the solo lead. This was only Real Madrid’s second loss and are now the third-placed team with their 9-2 slate. Bilbao played solid basketball and were on point on the defensive end. Real Madrid can blame, in part, their poor free-throw shooting to this loss. Aside from failing to sink their free shots, their woeful defense also allowed Bilbao to have their way. The men in black managed to convert some baskets in transition as well as from downtown. Their bombardment of three-point shots, sank their guests in a quagmire of problems. Real Madrid has not looked too sharp as of late and will need to make some adjustments in order to get back on track.

La Bruixa d’Or Manresa vs. Valencia Basket, 78-77

This was the most exciting game of the round. La Bruixa d’Or might be the league’s cellar dweller, but this win could be the big motivational swing they need to turn things around. This was just their second win of the season are now 2-9, but it was a sweet one indeed. They downed visiting Valencia basket on the shoulders of Benjamin Dewar, who caught fire from beyond the arc. He sank 6-of-10 shots from long-range en route to his 20 point explosion. The game was a back-and-forth affair. Manresa had to comeback in the fourth quarter to seize the win. Nemanja Nedovic paced Valencia with 20 points.

Here are the rest of the results of Round 11:

Laboral Kutxa Vitoria vs. Montafit Fuenlabrada, 77-71

Gran Canaria 2014 vs. Iberostar Tenerife, 79-64

MoraBanc Andorra vs. UCAM Murcia, 68-74

Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian vs. FIATC Joventut, 63-66 (OT)

Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro CAB vs. Tuenti Movil Estudiantes Madrid, 60-59