There will be a fourth semi-final match

Real Madrid were defeated in the third semi-final game against Unicaja Málaga and will have another chance to reach the final next Tuesday at the Martín Carpena (9:15 pm). The team started slowly against an opponent that had gone 19 points ahead in the first half. But Chus Mateo's men fought until the end and came very close to completing the comeback. Garuba tied the game at 84 with 0.7 seconds left with a tap-in after a drive by Musa. But after consulting the instant replay, the referees called an unsportsmanlike foul on the Bosnian for catching Perry in the face with his elbow. Two free throws by Díaz made it 2-1 in the series.
The first game in Malaga started with Unicaja setting the pace. A 9-0 run in their favour defined what had been an even start. Poor shooting from two-pointers and six turnovers which their opponents punished on the counterattack, were a thorn in the Madridista side, for whom Hezonja, with eight points, was their best player. For their part, the Malaga team had a balanced scoring led by Osetkowski (23-13, min. 10).
Unicaja take the lead
The home team kept Madrid at bay in the second quarter. Our team was not comfortable in defence and lacked the intensity and concentration they had shown in the first two matchups. Unicaja scored easily near the basket through Kravish to take a 20-point lead in the 18th minute. A slight reaction from Chus Mateo's team, with hustle and character from Llull (8 points in this quarter), left the score at 48-34 at half-time.
Madrid came out stronger in the second half, with determination in attack and aggression at the back. Chus Mateo opted for a 2-3 zone that also hurt Unicaja. With the quintet of Campazzo, Llull, Hezonja, Garuba and Tavares, they found their best form to go on a 5-22 run. In seven minutes, they cut the deficit and were two points behind at the halfway point of the third quarter (53-51, min. 26). With the Madrid players in full flow, Unicaja were able to get a second wind before entering the final period (70-60).
Madrid come very close to a comeback
Our team always believed in the victory. They didn't give up despite the difficulty of the game. Through hard work, offensive rebounds from Garuba, Bruno Fernando and Tavares, Musa’s three-pointers and plays from Campazzo, they gradually reduced the deficit. Abalde had a three-pointer to tie the game at 82. On the next play, Perry scored to put his team five points ahead with one minute to go. Hezonja made it 84-82. Unicaja fumbled the next possession and with 5 seconds left came the play that decided the game. Madrid went on the counterattack after a rebound by Hezonja. Musa missed the layup, but Garuba came from behind to tip it in and tie the game at 84. The referees consulted the instant replay and called an unsportsmanlike foul on the Bosnian for catching Perry with his left arm as he drove to the basket. With 7 tenths of a second left, Unicaja was awarded two free throws, which they did not waste (86-84, min. 40).
UNICAJA-REAL MADRID STATISTICS