Matchday 8 left the standings unchanged at the top. Real Madrid won on the toughest road of the day and remains undefeated, while its three pursuers won their games without major issues. It was also a day of farewells and debuts: Huertas played his final Liga game, Madrid recovered Maledon, and Baskonia debuted Kamenjas and Šmits.
Pedro Martínez Ties Aíto in Vitoria
Real Madrid defeated Kosner Baskonia at Buesa Arena (84-98), where the Vitoria team had not lost a regular season game since April. Pedro Martínez reached 1,111 ACB games, the same as Aíto García Reneses, and celebrated with a clear victory. Baskonia held on during the first half, with debuts from Kenan Kamenjas, who scored 15 points, and Rolands Šmits. But a third quarter of 19-29 decided the game. Théo Maledon returned from injury with 18 points, 6 assists and a rating of 29, while Andrés Feliz and Dylan Jones each scored 18.
Valencia, Tenerife and Barça Don't Falter
Valencia Basket surpassed one hundred points against Leyma Coruña (111-97) with Armoni Brooks scoring 21 of his 25 points in the first half. A second quarter of 36-24 put the game on track by halftime (63-48), and Coruña, with 21 points from Caio Pacheco, never got close enough.
La Laguna Tenerife won in Andorra (84-90) in the final game of Marcelinho Huertas' Liga Endesa career. The 43-year-old Brazilian point guard was the leading scorer with 21 points, 11 of them in the fourth quarter. Jaka Lakovič's team was ahead for most of the game and dominated the boards, 41-25. MoraBanc Andorra now has seven losses in eight matchdays.
Barça didn't feel the trip to Athens and defeated Monbus Obradoiro (108-83), remaining unbeaten at the Palau. They led from the start, made half their three-pointers and closed the game with a fourth quarter of 35-21. Tyrese Martin scored 22 points and Dario Brizuela 17. Obradoiro finished 8 of 31 from three-point range.
A Record at the Pazo
Río Breogán defeated Burgos (119-110) in a game where almost nobody played defense. The third quarter ended 41-42: their 83 points are the highest total in a quarter in ACB history, according to Eurohoops. Rasir Bolton posted 32 points, 11 assists and a rating of 50. Burgos surpassed one hundred points for the first time this season, but it wasn't enough to avoid their sixth loss.
Laprovittola, Willy and Forrest
Joventut snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating Casademont Zaragoza (99-94). The Aragonese team led by one point entering the fourth quarter, but lost it 29-23. Nicolás Laprovittola posted 25 points, 8 assists and a rating of 30. Guillem Vives suffered an injury in his return to Badalona, and Eli Ndiaye played his final game with Penya before returning to Real Madrid.
Unicaja came back from an 11-point deficit to defeat FIATC Girona (82-70). A second quarter of 27-16 turned the game around, and Willy Hernangómez was the most impactful player with 12 points, 8 rebounds and a rating of 22. Girona played without Jassel Pérez, the league's leading scorer, and remains winless on the road.
UCAM Murcia won at Bilbao Arena (76-84) and secured their first road victory. They also handed Surne Bilbao their first home loss. Forrest scored 29 points with six three-pointers, and the Murcia team led for 36 of the 40 minutes.
Manresa Climbs Out of the Cellar
Kids&Us Manresa won in Lleida in a matchup between the bottom two teams (92-98) and earned their second straight victory. Timmy Allen returned from injury with 24 points and JD Notae posted a rating of 25. Ilerna Lleida, with seven consecutive losses, shares last place with Andorra.