By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Unicaja defeated Real Madrid, 86-84, and forced a Game 4 in a best-of-five series of the Liga Endesa Semifinals.
Ibon Navarro’s side peaked at a separation of 19 points, but a furious rally by the visitors tied the game down the stretch. With one final opportunity to tie the game. Controversy emerged with 0.7 seconds on the clock as Dzanan Musa was called for an unsportsmanlike foul off a video review of the game-tying bucket by Usman Garuba. Captain Alberto Diaz followed up with the game-winning free throws.
In addition to avoiding elimination and reducing the series deficit to 2-1, Unicaja ended a 26-game winning streak of Madrid in the ACB. Dylan Osetkowski produced a game-high 21 points with 8/17 field goals, including three triples. Tyson Carter followed with 15 points, and Kendrick Perry scored 11 points. For the losing side, Mario Hezonja tallied 18 points, and Musa ended up with 15 points.
Sunday’s matchup in Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena also featured an injury for Tyson Perez, making him questionable for Game 4. The 29-year-old forward of Unicaja sprained his left ankle in a landing following an exciting putback over Bruno Fernando, early in the second quarter. He was later ruled out for the remainder of Game 3.
Serge Ibaka and injured Gabriel Deck were already sidelined by the team based in the Spanish capital. For the Malaga outfit, Olek Balcerowski and Melvin Ejim were left out of the lineup.
Game 4 follows in the same venue on Tuesday. Game 5, if necessary, will be played in Movistar Arena on Thursday.
ACB Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best of three)
Real Madrid – Baskonia 2-0 (82-76, 112-103)
Unicaja – FC Barcelona 2-1 (97-101, 81-59, 97-95)
Valencia – Dreamland Gran Canaria 2-0 (98-74, 102-94)
La Laguna Tenerife – Joventut Badalona 2-0 (96-81, 80-60)
Semifinals (best of five)
Real Madrid – Unicaja 2-1 (99-81, 90-75, 84-86)
Valencia – La Laguna Tenerife 3-0 (83-65, 105-74, 94-87)
Finals (best of five)
Valencia – Real Madrid / Unicaja