Unicaja overwhelming in Andalusian duel with Real Betis Energía Plus (99-71)

The importance of Liga Endesa for Unicaja is very high and soon proved that it had avoided the European hangover after defeating Fenerbahce last Thursday

10 to 0 of exit of the players of Joan Plaza and the duel andauz began to take color malagueño from the first instants. They were also the first minutes of Dani Diez’s season in Liga Endesa, after recovering from a shoulder injury. The Madrid eaves contributed to this good partial with a triple. Real Betis Energía Plus, who was looking for his first victory of the season, found in his inner partner Anosike-Kelly a way to add to the score. In addition, a triple from Unicaja Saul Blanco’s former side pressed match 15 to 13 (m. 7). But the Malaga players did not let themselves eat any more land and with a 10 to 0 of partial returned to put a considerable advantage in the electronic. At the end of these first ten minutes, the game was 28 to 17 for Unicaja.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Plaza’s players were looking for inside positions to score. Especially with Gio Shermadini, who found it easy in those places thanks to Suárez’s assistance. Kelly, Blanco and Anosike were the main threats in the Sevillian outfit, although at no time did they give the impression of being close to their team in this first half. Ray McCallum’s triple shot the game to 42 to 27, a distance that remained more or less until the break (46 to 32).

The return of the dressing rooms was practically a match from the first quarter. This time the partial was from 8 to 0 and the match was 54 to 32 in the 22nd minute. The coach Alejandro Martinez asked for dead time to try to quell the storm Malaga. Josep Franch’s entry on the track gave visitors greater fluidity, being key this base emerged from the Joventut quarry for the reaction Sevillian. Real Betis Energía Plus went from 56 to 43, but it was just a mirage. The Unicaja returned to carburize and little by little the difference returned to rise, now with good connection between Nedovic and McCallum. These two players were crucial for the difference between 74 and 52 to reach the last quarter.

Joan Plaza continued with his usual rotations and the Malaga level did not drop. It was also time for Viny Okouo to enjoy more minutes than the ones we had so far. Also for the reincorporated Díez or the canterano Soluade. Nedovic also delighted the fans with his talent, which was joined by McCallum, who once again showed flashes of his class. In the end, Malaga victory by 99 to 71, important to remain in the upper zone of the Endesa League and not to hang up from the teams of the head.

Nemanja Nedovic was the best of the game with 22 points and 24 rating

Press release Unicaja Málaga • ACB Photo