Barcelona shooting guard Juan Carlos Navarro scored 33 points to take his side to a 96-89 win at home to league leaders Real Madrid.

Navarro's display was the key factor as Barcelona ended their traditional rivals' 14 game unbeaten start to the season, one short of equaling the all-time Spanish record for a beginning to a campaign.

The win also keeps alive Barca's hopes of qualifying for the Copa del Rey knockout tournament which is played by the top eight sides in the ACB Endesa League at the midway point of the season (17 games).

Barca's triumph moves them up to seventh in the table, level on wins with three other sides: Asefa Estudiantes, Unicaja Malaga and Blusens Monbus.

Elsewhere, Caja Laboral's unstoppable form under coach Zan Tabak continued with an 84-77 win at home to Mad-Croc Fuenlabrada.

Valencia remain third thanks to an 82-64 victory against Unicaja Malaga: a result which leaves Unicaja's Cup place in the balance with two games left to play.

CAI Zaragoza should reach the Cup after defeating Bilbao Basket 81-74, while Herbalife Gran Canaria assured they will be in the top eight at the halfway point of the season with a crushing 80-50 victory at home to DKV Joventut, who just about say goodbye to their Cup hopes with that defeat.

CB Canarias continue to improve with a win over relegation threatened Assignia Manresa, while Asefa Estudiantes moved into the top eight thanks to a convincing 91-68 triumph away to UCAM Murcia.

Cajasol moved two wins above the relegation zone thanks to a 94-57 victory at home to Blancos Rueda Valladolid, but Lagun Aro remain rooted to the bottom of the table as a result of their 71-60 defeat away to Blusens Monbus, who are still in with a good chance of a top eight place at the midway point of the campaign thanks to their win.

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