BarcelonaA Barça aware of the bread that was given to them recovered from a 13-point deficit, overcame Baskonia and avoided their fifth consecutive defeat (91-97). The Blaugrana team went from less to more in a night in which Xavi Pascual managed to bring order to the collective play of the culer team. Tomás Satoransky and Kevin Punter were injured and could not finish the game.
“It was important to break the negative streak,” acknowledged Xavi Pascual, who was forced to cut rotations. Joel Parra, who added 16 points and 6 rebounds, led the victory. In addition, Toko Shengelia (16), Nico Laprovittola (15), Darío Brizuela (14) and Will Clyburn (14) exceeded ten points.
As on Tuesday against Fenerbahçe, Barça entered the match without the necessary concentration. The Blaugrana team took five and a half minutes to score their first basket and Baskonia took advantage of that to build a 10-point lead (14-4). The local difference grew to 13 points (25-12). The Catalan team reacted with rhythm and scored 31 points during the second period. The visitors came to the break with options for victory (51-48).
The passage of minutes improved the order of a Barça that gradually offered a more reliable game (56-57). Will Clyburn showed good marksmanship and the Catalan team took advantage of a partial 0-10 to reach the last ten minutes with a good scenario (68-76). Baskonia tried to punish the weak points of the team, but the visitors defended with judgment. Joel Parra appeared with more continuity than other days.
Barça, who ended up with a 13-point lead (78-91), did not slow down in a final stretch in which Baskonia looked for formulas to attempt a comeback.
Tribute to Xabier Añua
Baskonia and Barça paid tribute to Xabier Añua, who died last July at the age of 90. The coach, who passed through the benches of both teams, was quite an institution in the world of basketball.
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