By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
With five players scoring in double figures, Spanish ACB League reigning champion Barcelona began the new season with a 95 – 79 win over Joventut Badalona in the Catalonia derby.
Former No. 2 pick Jabari Parker had 13 points on 5-7 shots in his ACB debut and Willy Hernangomez produced 11 points plus six rebounds in his return to the league after seven years in the NBA. Nikola Kalinic scored 11 while Tomas Satoransky and Dario Brizuela dropped 10 points apiece.
Andrew Andrews (15 points), Vladimir Brodziansky (14 points, five rebounds) and Chinanu Onuaku (12 points) led Badalona in scoring. Their team was overpowered 24 – 17 after the break as Barca entered the final quarter up 68 – 57 behind a strong effort by Brizuela and Jan Vesely who had eight points apiece in the third period.
Parker’s buckets then helped the Blaugrana further increase their lead and secure the victory.
Earlier on Sunday (24/9), Markus Howard entered the season in a fiery manner and 29 points on five triples as Baskonia defeated Rio Breogan 88 – 79 on the road. Real Madrid didn’t face any problems against Zaragoza, taking a 101 – 70 victory.
2023-24 Liga Endesa Day 1 Results:
Valencia – Girona 85 – 89
Granada – Murcia 101 – 104
Obradoiro – Palencia 84 – 64
Unicaja Malaga – Lenovo Tenerife 98 – 75
Real Madrid – Zaragoza 101 – 70
Gran Canaria – Manresa 97 – 92
Bilbao – Andorra 95 – 73
Rio Breogan – Baskonia 79 – 88
Barcelona – Badalona 95 – 79
Photo: Barcelona