Barcelona closed out a dominant week with a 97-91 victory over Unicaja Málaga on Friday, completing a three-game winning streak that included triumphs in EuroLeague play against Anadolu Efes and Estrella Roja. The win keeps Barça firmly in contention in the Liga Endesa, though they had to work for it against a resilient Unicaja side.
The Blaugrana, coached by Xavi Pascual, rediscovered their shooting touch from beyond the arc, connecting on 15 of 31 three-point attempts (48%), and displayed improved offensive fluidity. However, they faced a stern test against Unicaja’s ball movement, a challenge compounded by a high number of turnovers – 16 in total. Strong performances from Dario Brizuela and Jan Veselý sealed the victory for Barcelona.
The game at the Palau Blaugrana began with a quick pace, as both teams traded baskets early on. Barcelona quickly established a lead, fueled by three-pointers from Norris and Punter, opening up a 20-10 advantage. Unicaja responded, narrowing the gap to 22-17 by the finish of the first quarter. The second period saw Barça extend their lead, reaching a peak of 18 points (40-22) midway through the quarter, thanks to a barrage of successful three-point shots, including three consecutive makes from Brizuela. However, Unicaja refused to fold, closing the gap to 47-41 by halftime.
The third quarter saw Barcelona attempt to pull away once more, briefly extending their lead to 11 points (56-45). But Unicaja, demonstrating impressive resilience, continued to chip away at the deficit. Players like Djedovic and Balcerowski began to assert themselves, and the visitors regained confidence. Will Clyburn found his rhythm in the third, scoring 10 points, but Unicaja remained within striking distance.
The final quarter proved to be a tense affair. Unicaja managed to tie the game at 77-77 with just over six minutes remaining. Pascual briefly rotated his lineup, but quickly reinserted Juani Marcos and Hernangómez as Unicaja continued to apply pressure. Brizuela then stepped up with five crucial points, regaining the lead for Barcelona. Veselý then took over, scoring key baskets down the stretch to secure the 97-91 win, sending the Palau crowd into a frenzy.
Veselý finished with 18 points, leading the scoring for Barcelona, while Brizuela added 17. For Unicaja, Emeri Sulejmanovic led the way with 19 points, followed by Olek Balcerowski with 18. The game was officiated by Emilio Pérez, Alfonso Olivares, and Igor Esteve. Miles Norris received a technical foul in the third quarter, while Chase Audige and Tyler Kalinoski were ejected from the game for Unicaja.
The victory improves Barcelona’s record to 16-8 in the Liga Endesa, maintaining their sixth-place position. Unicaja, now trailing by one game plus the tiebreaker, falls slightly behind in the standings. The Palau Blaugrana hosted 4,964 spectators for the contest.
Barcelona’s success this week highlights their ability to perform at a high level in both EuroLeague and domestic competition. While they experienced some challenges against Unicaja, their ability to close out the game demonstrates their championship pedigree. The team’s reliance on three-point shooting was evident, with a 48% success rate from beyond the arc proving crucial. However, the 16 turnovers remain an area for improvement as they continue their pursuit of a league title.
Match Statistics:
Barça 97 (22+25+27+23): Marcos (5), Punter (11), Parra (8), Norris (10), Hernangómez (4), Vesely (18), Brizuela (17), Satoransky (8), Fall, Clyburn (10), Shengelia (6), Kusturica.
Unicaja 91 (17+24+28+22): Perry (10), Kalinosky (8), Barreiro, Tillie (5), Blacerowski (18), Audige, Webb, Díaz (7), Cobbs, Djedovic (13), Sulejmanovic (19), Duarte (11).
Barcelona will look to carry this momentum into their next contest, while Unicaja will aim to bounce back from the defeat. The Liga Endesa season continues to heat up as teams battle for playoff positioning.
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