An unexpected eclipse does not erase Barça's note
The Blaugrana team stops the Red Star's reaction in time
BarcelonaFirst box or strip overcome. Barça debuted the play-in with a good note. The blaugrana team eliminated Estrella Roja (80-72) and will play for a ticket in the fight for the title against Monaco, who lost against Panathinaikos (87-79). Despite an unexpected eclipse when they were winning by 22 points, the culé team played with personality to secure the victory at the Palau Blaugrana.
Xavi Pascual won the battle of the benches. The Barça coach was clearer than Sasa Obradovic about what his team needed to secure the victory. The Serbian coach alternated approaches and took time to find the most suitable one to win at the Palau Blaugrana.
Will Clyburn's start to the game was sensational. The forward scored six three-pointers without a miss in just eight minutes (29-18). The American tried to spread his accuracy to a Barça team that made seven of the first eleven three-pointers they attempted during a first quarter that boosted optimism at the Palau Blaugrana (29-21).
The emergence of Will Hernangómez added more diversity to Barça's attacks, which built an eleven-point lead (37-26). Dominance in rebounds was key for the blaugrana team to impose their rhythm during a stretch of the game. Estrella Roja believed their chances lay in doing things well on offense and neglected a defense that conceded 47 points in just 20 minutes. The home team's shooting percentages were very solid (47-33).
As if expecting a second leg that didn't exist, Estrella Roja let go and started the second half with a 22-point deficit (60-38). Obradovic tried to tactically rescue his team with alternative defenses and found the cooperation of some of his players, who reacted to adjust the score (63-51).
When they had everything to lose is when Estrella Roja's best version arrived, reducing the deficit to under 10 points (75-68). Czech players Jan Vesely and Tomáš Satoransky and Kevin Punter played a key role in keeping the situation under control.
Panathinaikos, in the quarterfinals
Monaco did not have enough with Mike James to surprise Panathinaikos (87-79). His 25 points were surpassed by a Greek team that made use of home advantage to reach the quarterfinals. TJ Shorts scored 21 points. The team coached by Ergin Ataman will face Valencia Basket.