Real Madrid takes the lead in La Laguna and Barça cuts Unicaja's streak short

MADRID, 18 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid stayed this Sunday in the direct duel for the lead with a 67-80 victory over Lenovo Tenerife on matchday 12 of the Endesa League, while Barça won (75-60) the clash of pursuers against Unicaja.

The white team triumphed in La Laguna to remain the sole leader with 10-2, one more victory than the Canaries, who conceded their second straight defeat after last week against Joventut. Madrid took command in the second quarter, with good minutes from Nigel Williams-Goss and Hezonja.

At the restart, the duel turned to the battle in defense, few points and a lot of tension that gave way to the final blow from Chus Mateo's men in the last quarter. Tavares (17 PIR) and Hezonja (15 points) finished as highlights of a Madrid that, to its recent irregularities in the Euroleague, responds in the League.

Meanwhile, a Unicaja that had nine victories in a row between the Champions League and the ACB ran into Barça. The culé team was rowing in search of victory from the beginning, with a good start from Tobey and Kalinic. Paulí took advantage of his minutes in the second quarter and, after some suffering, the victory stayed at the Palau.

Sarunas Jasikevicius' men put up a good defense, like during the week in the Euroleague double portion, to stop and surpass a Unicaja in the table that remains at eight wins for the nine Catalans. Vesley was the man in the last quarter and Nicolás Laprovittola (13 points and 4 assists) led the way.

With 9-3, following the whites along with Barça and Tenerife, Cazoo Baskonia defeated Carplus Fuenlabrada (102-88). Howard uncovered his artillery once again (29 points, 19 in the third quarter) and Enoch begins to fuel (17 points, 6 rebounds and a PIR of 20) after his injury, leaders of those from Vitoria.

Meanwhile, Valencia Basket added an important victory so as not to lose the wake of the Copa del Rey zone in their visit to the Palacio de los Deportes in Granada (81-110). Álex Mumbrú's men gave an account of a Granada surpassed from the beginning by the 'taronja'. Xabi López-Arostegui (26 PIR) was the Valencian leader.

In addition, in the lower zone, Bàsquet Girona breathed a breather by ending a losing streak of five straight losses with their victory (78-69) over Casademont Zaragoza, which they equal in the table at 3-9. Taylor (21 points) and Colom (19) avoided the tricky comeback.