Barça rules from start to finish in Badalona
Jasikevicius’ men put the 2-1 in the semifinals against a Joventut who fought but was always in tow
MADRID, 8 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Barça won (77-83) this Wednesday in the third game of the semifinal playoff against Joventut, a 2-1 that leaves them one win away from returning to the final of the Endesa League, always ahead in the scoreboard at the Olímpic in Badalona.
Sarunas Jasikevicius’ men raised the level in defense and attack to regain control of a hot derby. The black-and-green hell remained on the prowl until a triple by Calathes, exhausting possession, with 40 seconds left (74-80).
With the lesson learned from the defeat on Sunday at the Palau, Barça had determination, intensity and cold blood to take a vital point, which gives them home court advantage, although they will try to finish the derby again on Friday at Penya’s home ‘.
The reigning champion commanded the scoreboard throughout the game, although never more than 10 points. The culé team managed the rhythm of the match in defense and managed to silence the verdinegro fervor that had reason to believe in the bell. Carles Duran’s team took more than three minutes to open the scoring, but Ribas and Tomic did less damage.
Barça took the reins with Mirotic, the best of the game with 18 points, 7 rebounds and a PIR of 27, assuming stripes, although pulling the entire wardrobe. Higgins, increasingly in tune after his long injury, Laprovittola and Kuric who at times forgot his scoring slump, gave that ten to ‘Saras’.
The aggressiveness and the pique went up and, despite the rowing of the locals, Barça went with the maximum at halftime (36-46). The resumption brought another verdinegro moment. Parra and Willis (11 points in the third quarter) set the Olímpic on fire again, Barça struggling to score. Laprovittola improved the offensive task while the culé team got back on track in defense with Sergi Martínez. Tomic (21 points) was unstoppable for Davies and Sanli and with a three-pointer from Vives the clash continued in the air.
Behind on the scoreboard for the entire match, the ‘Penya’ needed one more twist and that’s where they derailed. The losses came, the uncontrolled street runner and the figure of Mirotic to throw jugs of cold water at the Olímpic (65-75). However, another triple by Vives and a great action by Willis once again gave Duran’s men faith.
Mirotic, two minutes from time, and Calathes’ very forced three-pointer in the last minute, sealed Barça’s victory in that intense outcome. With Real Madrid waiting in the final, the ‘Saras’ team will look for the ticket on Friday although, given what has been seen, Joventut may still have a lot to say.
DATASHEET.
–RESULTADO: JOVENTUT, 77 – BARÇA, 83. (36-46, at the break).
–EQUIPMENT.
YOUTH: Ribas (10), Feliz (2), Parra (4), Willis (17) and Birgander (2) –initial quintet–; Busquets (-), Bassas (8), Ventura (-), Vives (13), Tomic (21).
BARÇA: Calathes (5), Higgins (13), Hayes (9), Mirotic (18) and Davies (9) –starting quintet–; Laprovittola (10), Sanli (4), Sergi Martínez (3), Abrines (-), Smits (4), Kuric (8).
–PARTIALS: 14-23, 22-23, 20-15, 21-22.
–REFEREES: Pérez Pérez, Caballero and Serrano. Fouled out Sanli.
–PABELLÓN: Palau Municipal d’Esports de Badalona.