Happy Twelfth Night for Grimau's Barça, who repeated their European victory with a Vesely in a trance, scoring 50 points in just two days, after coming back 11 points against Baskonia in an intense and encouraging last quarter. The Czech wrapped the gifts and distributed them in a newly delivered Palau to add a very valuable victory in an increasingly tight Euroleague.
In the process of recharging their batteries, after having used every last watt available just 48 hours before against Real Madrid, Barça jumped onto the pitch somewhat lacking energy but very aware that reaffirming the victory in the classic was essential to establish themselves in the winning wave that would allow him to finish straightening the course. Grimau's team, forced to cut its rotation due to the last-minute losses of Jokubaitis and Da Silva due to a virus, controlled the game well in the first half, keeping Baskonia always in the rearview except after two triples by Costello (0-3 and 14-16).
Barça continues to have deficiencies when it comes to defending the rival's outside shots, a scenario in which Howard tried to delve into the wound, but for the rest he started in tune and in tune. Satoransky began especially brightly, somewhat subdued in recent weeks, whose contribution is vital for his team. The first quarter once again ended with a very high score (24-23) as has become the usual trend.
After the first horn, the Barça team took out its claws and launched its first attack against Dusko Ivanovic, whose heart rate increased with each play, as gesticulating and active as always. It was Willy Hernangómez who led Barça, showing himself to be very incisive in attack, even including a three-pointer from the corner in his repertoire to go to the locker room with 14 points to his name. The star signing of the summer stretched to 34-25 (minute 15), the highest of the entire first half. But the joy was not complete against a very combative Baskonia and Grimau went to half-time swearing in Hebrew after his players, with just two team fouls, left a path for Miller-McIntyre to score the goal at the buzzer. 47-42.
The ghost of that play seemed to accompany Barça as they left the locker room. The ideas of the Barça team were completely clouded as they abused giving balls to a misaligned Kalinic and, in addition, allowed one easy basket after another to Baskonia. The Vitorians took advantage of it to turn the score around without much effort. Sedekerskis set off the alarm at 58-64 (minute 29) when Laprovittola had already sat down with his points count at zero.
The last act had just painted the local panorama black with Moneke scoring 62-73 (minute 33). But there Barça rescued its courage and drew strength from weakness, especially thanks to a 6-point play with triples from Parker and Parra, a lack of Moneke through Furthermore, with everything against, Vesely disguised himself as the wizard king and led the way of the victory (13 points in those last minutes) as he had done against Madrid. The coal changed destination and headed to Vitoria.
89. Barça (24 23 15 27): Satoransky (10), Brizuela (2), Kalinic (8), Parker (17), Vesely (23) -starting team-, Laprovittola (0), Hernangómez (16), Parra (13) and Paulí (0).
85. Baskonia (23 19 26 17): Howard (21), Miller-McIntyre (10), Raieste (-), Sedekerskis (14), Costello (11), Diez (2), Moneke (9). , Marinkovic (7), Diop (2), Chiozza (2) and Kotsar (7).
Referees: Damir Javor (ESL), Milos Koljensic (SER) and Leandro Lezcano (ARG). They eliminated the visitor Howard due to five fouls (min.40).
Incidents: matchday 19 of the Euroleague played at the Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona before 4,971 spectators.
