A Girona that is too green in attack falls against Unicaja and remains without victory (59-73)

The game started in a stalemate, with two intense teams in defense that forced turnovers on the opponent. Girona went ahead 4 to 2 with a basket worked by Franch and a counterattack by Garino, but Unicaja reacted with 5 consecutive points by Osetowski. As in the previous games, Girona had problems finding clear shooting situations, but based on patience they managed to get ahead, with five almost consecutive points from Columbus (11-7). The match was rather chaotic, with turnovers, offensive fouls and very little offensive clarity. This context was now in favor of Unicaja, who tied the score at 11 less than two minutes after the end of the first quarter. Colom put the locals ahead again, but Unicaja has been more successful in these last moments and has gone ahead with the horn in the opening 10 minutes.

The tone hasn’t changed in the second quarter, but Básquet Girona has been more patient in attack and with a 6-0 run has put itself four points ahead (19-15). The Málaga players have accused one of their references, Dylan Osetowski, of making a mistake, who has also been charged with the second personal foul. But when Aíto’s were at their best, some mistakes in comfortable shooting situations and an inaccuracy in a counterattack attempt allowed Unicaja to put the game back in a fist (19-20), thanks to a triple by Carter and a bomb from Lima. The Madrid coach has asked for a time-out to clarify ideas right at the equator of the period, but it has had little effect. Unicaja widened the partial lead to 19 to 24, and only Gasol kept Girona very close (21-24). Lima and Carter appeared again for the Andalusian side and gave them a maximum difference (21-29). At that moment, Kameron Taylor emerged, and with a 3+1 and an individual play, he balanced the match again (28-31). The American player himself was able to reduce the deficit to just one point at the break, but he did not score and the score did not move in these last measures.

In the resumption, it seemed that Básquet Girona started stronger, being very insistent towards the basket (32-31), but Unicaja also put their batteries in attack and recovered a small income (34-38) . Once again Taylor rescued Girona with 4 consecutive points, but a defensive error and a lost ball allowed Unicaja to score two triples in a row and escape from six (38-44). The match was entering a key phase, Girona had to resist the best moment of the Malaga team to stay alive, as they circulated the ball better and, in addition, loaded the offensive rebound well. He achieved it, with a three-pointer from Garino, a 3/4 from free throws from Colom and Figueras and thanks to the Andalusian mishap in apparently comfortable shots (44-46). The Girona players were able to reach the last quarter with the game almost even, but the excessive gifts in the rebound allowed Unicaja to score a couple of easy baskets and keep the advantage (46-50).

The last quarter started in the worst possible way. Basketball Girona was entrusted to Marc Gasol, but Sant Boi could not take advantage of the robustness of the Málaga interior. Lima, a distant three-pointer from Carter and a counterattack gave the Costa del Sol team the upper hand (46-57). Gasol and Taylor reduced the difference below 10 points, and Unicaja gave hope by missing three free throws. Fjellerup performed a great individual action and the disadvantage was only 6 (52-58). This last action and a local recovery ignited Fontajau, but Girona was unable to get any closer due to the lack of offensive fluidity, and two triples by Kravish and Osetowski ended the duel when there were still almost two minutes left (54-66 ). A spectacular collapse in rebound action by Kravish made even more blood in the wound, and Girona could not even reach 60 points despite the last points of Gasol and Colom. Carter, with a three-pointer, closed the game (59-73) and left a gap that was too wide and a bit unfair due to the equality that characterized much of the match.