Real Madrid close in on sealing top spot

Real Madrid are just one win away from finishing top of the Liga ACB after they beat Rio Natura Monbus and Unicaja were beaten by CAI Zaragoza.

Pablo Laso's side now have two more victories than second-placed Unicaja with three games remaining after a resounding 85-76 victory in in Fontes do Sar on Sunday.

Gustavo Ayon helped himself to 18 points and claimed eight rebounds as Real were clinical in attack and produced a strong defensive display.

Jaycee Carroll also contributed 14 points, with Adam Waczynski's 15-point haul in vain for the home side.

Zaragoza did Real a favour by securing a 90-86 victory in Malaga despite 28 points from Jayson Granger.

Jason Robinson weighed in with 19 points, while Henk Norel clutched six rebounds as Zaragoza dealt a huge blow to Unicaja's hopes of finishing top.

Zaragoza moved into an 11-point lead in the final quarter, but were made to sweat as Unicaja battled right until the buzzer before being consigned to defeat.

Third-placed Barcelona had no such trouble as they coasted to a 76-62 home victory over Movistar Estudiantes, dominating the second half after the two sides reached the halfway mark level.

Play-off contenders Herbalife Gran Canaria were impressive 90-76 winners over Valencia, while Laboral Kutxa's 14-game unbeaten domestic home record came to an end when they were beaten 85-77 by an UCAM Murcia side striving to secure a play-off spot.

Gipuzkoa enhanced their chances of avoiding relegation by securing a 77-76 overtime victory over Iberostar Tenerife.

Overtime was also needed as Dominion Bilbao beat FIATC Joventut 95-92 on Saturday, while MoraBanc Andorra were 89-65 winners over Sevilla and La Bruixa d'Or edged a low-scoring encounter with Montakit Fuenlabrada, triumphing 68-53.