By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
FC Bayern Munich took control of FC Barcelona at the Palau Blaugrana and escaped with a 90-75 victory in Game 2 of their EuroLeague playoffs matchup to tie the series 1-1.
Deshaun Thomas scored 19 of his season-high 25 points in the first half to help his team grab a double-digit lead at halftime (48-35) and also grabbed seven boards and dished two assists for a total PIR of 29.
Barcelona found their way back in the game in the third quarter, yet it was Andreas Obst that powered Bayern with back-to-back threes to retain an 11-point lead (67-56) after 30 minutes. The German side’s physical game was too intense for the hosts to be able to recover the deficit, despite short bursts of energy. Nick Weiler-Babb (12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) stepped up late in the fourth quarter to seal the deal for Bayern.
Obst was also a key piece for Andrea Trinchieri’s rotation, scoring a total of 15 points (57% from the three-point line) and Ognjen Jaramaz followed with 11 points and five assists for Bayern.
“Ι am very happy for my players, for my organization”, said Trinchieri in his post-game remarks. “At least we’re going to have two home games. I’m very realistic. Barca has been in these situations already”.
“I’m also happy for my organization that in 15 days, whatever happens to us – a player in surgery this morning, players out after 2 minutes of the game – that in 15 days we were able to beat Real and Barca in Spain. This is very important for our organization”, concluded the Bayern playcaller.
Nikola Mirotic tapped 16 points and 6 rebounds and Nicolas Laprovittola also scored 16 points for Barcelona, while Nick Calathes added 13 points and 8 assists.
“The problem with our team is always the details”, admitted Sarunas Jasikevicius. “Details are killing us. I am trying to emphasize this; didn’t do a good job”.
The series travels to Munich next week for Game 3 (April 27, 20:30 CET) and Game 4 (April 29, 20:45 CET).
Photo credit: EuroLeague