Real Madrid wins Barca at Spanish basketball

Real Madrid continued their triumphal start to the Endesa ACB basketball league with their ninth win in nine games. Pablo Laso's side were always favorites to win away to a Cajasol that has just one win all campaign and although they were not at their best, they had few problems before running out 71-63 winners. Valencia remain second after a thrilling 81-78 victory against Regal Barcelona in a thrilling game in which both sides got their noses in front, but were unable to assure the final result into the very last second. Barca have now lost four of their first nine games of the season and the reigning Champions are still struggling to find any consistency in either play or results. Herbalife Gran Canaria's fine start to the season continued as they took their seventh win with a narrow 78-76 win away to Blusens Monbus. Ryan Toolson scored 20 points for the side from Las Palmas. Bilbao Basket had to dig deep to keep their positive start to the campaign going with a 86-83 win away to Mad-Croc Fuenlabrada, who have improved since the arrival of coach Trifon Poch. A strong last quarter (28-20) and 28 points from Konstantinos Vasilieadis finally saw the Basque side home Zan Tabak led Caja Laboral to their first victory since he replaced Dusko Ivanovic as coach last Sunday. The side from Vitoria suffered their worst European league defeat in their history in Kaunas during the week, but the Croat will be happier with their 90-79 win at home to Unicaja Malaga. CAI Zaragoza also remain well positioned following their comfortable 77-57 home win against FIATC Joventut with Michael Roll scoring an impressive 26 points for the home side. CB Canarias took just their second triumph of the campaign by defeating Lagun Aro 93-78. Lagun Aro remain just one place above the relegation zone and have eight defeats in nine games. Meanwhile UCAM Murcia won a high scoring game against Blancos Rueda Valladolid 87-81.