By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Clinching the top seed in the Playoffs bracket of Spain’s Liga Endesa, FC Barcelona claimed the win, 91-84, against Cazoo Baskonia in Fernando Buesa Arena Sunday.
Banking in 6/8 from beyond the arc, Alex Abrines improved his personal best in the 2022-23 season to 18 points. Sharing the team-high in the Regular Season Round 33 contest, Nicolas Laprovittola scored 18 more points to go with five assists and four rebounds. Nikola Mirotic added 13 points.
Joan Penarroya’s side cut the deficit but failed to completely recover after falling into a double-digit hole late in the third period. Vanja Marinkovic made out a game-high 20 points with 8/9 field goals in the losing effort. Darius Thompson combined 15 points with eight assists. Steven Enoch did not suit up.
The team coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius will go from securing the top seed at the domestic level to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. Nikola Kalinic (shoulder) and Jan Vesely (back) were ruled out for the game at Vitoria-Gasteiz joining Cory Higgins (back) on the injury list. But both Kalinic and Vesely can potentially be cleared for the next El Clasico against Real Madrid in Zalgirio Arena Friday.
As for the team based in Madrid, also heading to Lithuania on a high note, Chus Mateo’s side can steal the second seed from Baskonia with a win over Real Betis paired with Penarroya’s side losing to Girona in Round 34. Otherwise, the Whites will settle with the third seed.
ACB Round 33
Casademont Zaragoza – Girona 88-95 OT (76-76)
Real Betis – Coviran Granada 85-91
UCAM Murcia – Surne Bilbao 67-55
Rio Breogan – BAXI Manresa 81-82
Gran Canaria – Real Madrid 67-95
Joventut Badalona – Monbus Obradoiro 96-85
Cazoo Baskonia – FC Barcelona 84-91
Carplus Fuenlabrada – Valencia 75-93
Unicaja – Lenovo Tenerife (21/5)
STANDINGS: FC Barcelona 28-5, Cazoo Baskonia 27-6, Real Madrid 27-6, Lenovo Tenerife 23-9, Unicaja 22-10…
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net