Peñarroya responded to the Basques after their league defeat three weeks ago
The Catalan team took advantage of the lesson learned from the only team that had beaten them at home this season and initially set up a strong defense that left the Basques out of the equation. With a score of 12-2, Barça forced Baskonia, who had only made 1 out of 26 three-pointers against Paris, to hurry.
Pablo Laso’s team continued to struggle, with Trent Forrest scoring the first baskets for the visitors and Markus Howard finding moments of inspiration in the second quarter. Between Jan Vesely, who ended up being the best with 17 points and 28 in evaluation, Jabari Parker, who scored in addition to Chima Moneke, and two three-pointers from Juan Núñez, Barça took the lead (26-17) in the Spanish duel in the Euroleague.
Khalifa Diop brought something to the table for the guests, but Youssoupha Fall responded and Howard’s appearance put Baskonia back in the game (32-29). Then Joan Peñarroya put out the starting five and Barça’s defense was perfect again, setting the pace for a fluid attack. Barça regained a +13 lead and went into halftime with a feeling of dominance on the court (44-33).
Laso’s team finally found some success with Moneke after the break, as well as with Donta Hall inside, and there were even three-pointers from Tadas Sedekerskis, who returned from injury, and Forrest. However, Peñarroya’s team did not relinquish the lead with Punter at another level (60-51). In the final quarter, the Catalan team struck first again and this time it was decisive.
The leaders surpassed 20 points, with Vesely easily scoring even from beyond the arc, Darío Brizuela celebrating his birthday with gifts, and Justin Anderson making the most of his minutes. A blow for a Barça team that once again showed its potential this season, sitting at 6-2 at the top of the standings, while Baskonia raised more doubts (4-4) with their fourth defeat in the last five games.
— RESULT: BARÇA, 91 – BASKONIA, 68. (44-33, at halftime).
BARÇA: Satoransky (7), Punter (15), Abrines (4), Parker (9), and Vesely (17) –starting five–; Sarr (-), Fall (8), Anderson (11), Brizuela (5), Metu (7), Núñez (8), Parra (-).
BASKONIA: Forrest (17), Howard (11), Luwawu-Cabarrot (2), Moneke (10), and Hall (4) –starting five–; Baldwin (2), Raieste (-), Rogkavopoulos (5), N’Diaye (7), Sedekerskis (6), Diop (4).
— REFEREES: Javor, Ryzhyk, and Kardum. No players eliminated.
— VENUE: Palau Blaugrana, 5,938 spectators.
