Unicaja-Real Madrid: last match before the Copa del Rey

Real Madrid visits Unicaja Málaga in Round 20 of the Liga Endesa, which will serve as a preview of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals next Thursday at the Roig Arena in Valencia. Our team, solid leaders of the ACB and the best away team in the competition, will look to secure their 18th victory before the Copa del Rey break.

Scariolo's team holds a three-win cushion over the second-placed team. Today, they face a Unicaja side that has four fewer victories. It will be another test for the team with the best away record. Real Madrid has won 8 of their 9 away games, all consecutively after losing in Vitoria in the second round. Moreover, they are coming off a victory on the road against Partizan Belgrade in the EuroLeague less than 48 hours ago. Unicaja is always a very tough opponent, especially at their home court, where they have only lost to Baskonia and Barça.

Both teams are on a 5-game winning streak in the League. Scariolo's team won in the first round at the Movistar Arena by 91-82, in a game where they mounted a comeback with a brilliant second half. Hezonja, with 19 points, and Maledon, with 15, were the standout players that day. The Frenchman returned against Partizan after his injury. Deck also returned, so it seems the team will be at full strength for the Copa del Rey.

Unicaja is dealing with the absences of Díaz and Audige and the uncertainties surrounding Tillie and Balcerowski. Despite this, Ibon Navarro's team remains very competitive, athletic, and features high-quality players like Perry, Kalinoski, and Duarte, among others. They have strengthened their roster with the addition of American point guard Cobbs. In their last visit to the Martín Carpena, Real Madrid secured the victory and advanced to the League final last year in the fourth game (79-86). Today, the leader will aim for another victory before the Copa del Rey, which kicks off next Thursday.