Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Liga ACB match.
The second semi-final of the Liga ACB play-offs sees defending champions Real Madrid take on Unicaja Málaga, who previously knocked out none other than FC Barcelona. With both squads in strong form, there’s every reason to believe the eventual champion could come from this clash. As a result, anticipation for the series continues to build.
Real Madrid
In the quarter-finals, Real Madrid faced Saski Baskonia, a side that only just clinched a play-off spot after a difficult season. Despite being the favourites, the team failed to deliver a dominant performance. They edged the first game by just six points and then conceded a staggering 103 in the second. Remarkably, the top scorer for Real Madrid in that game was 37-year-old Sergio Llull, who put up 19 points — well above his season average of 8.1. Such reliance on an ageing veteran raises legitimate concerns for the squad moving forward.
Unicaja Málaga
Unicaja Málaga, in contrast, swept aside FC Barcelona in three games. Their attacking output was particularly impressive, averaging 91.6 points per game, with at least four players consistently reaching double figures in scoring. Their defensive effort also stood out — most notably in the second game, when they completely nullified a high-calibre opponent, limiting FC Barcelona to just 59 points on 32.4% shooting from the field.
Real Madrid vs Unicaja Málaga Prediction
Despite being seen as clear favourites, Real Madrid’s standing overlooks the head-to-head record between these teams this season. Unicaja Málaga have already beaten them twice and lost by just two points in their most recent encounter in late March. There is every reason to believe the underdogs can keep this one close once again.
