By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Things couldn’t get better for FC Barcelona, after getting a big win in Belgrade against Partizan Mozzart Bet. Not many teams are going to get the “W” there, but Barcelona did it, having things under control for most of the time.
The final score was 92-83 for the guests who managed to get their second big road win after beating Olympiacos last week.
The duo of Nicolas Laprovittola with 20 points on 6/10 threes and Oscar De Silva with 13 led the charge on the road as Barcelona has a 3-0 record. Willy Hernangomez also scored 15 keeping his team’s distance in the end.
As Barcelona coach Roger Grimau admitted after the game: “I am very happy. We didn’t have much time in the preseason to train together because many players were playing in the FIBA World Cup. Through matches and practices at the beginning, we grew as at team and that makes me satisfied” .
James Nunnally with 14 was the top scorer of the losing side, while P.J.Dozier added 13, Zach LeDay scored 12 and Kevin Punter had 11.
Barcelona started the game leading 23-16 in the end of the first period, and despite Partizan’s comeback which tied the score at 25 after a 9-2 run, the guests never lost their composure.
On the contrary, they completed the first half leading by ten (44-34) with Laprovittola and De Silva already setting the tone with 12 and nine points respectively.
“Congratulations to Barcelona, they played well for 40 minutes”, admitted Partizan coach Zeljko Obradovic. “The first half was crucial, we didn’t play properly. They controlled the game better and they shot better. We tried to come back, but they got points from offensive rebounds and held the advantage”.
Despite a sold out crowd, Partizan stayed close but couldn’t get into striking distance with Jabari Parker scoring the 10th three in 23 attempts for Barcelona near the end of the third, to make the score 69-60.
“There is a lot of quality in this team, we need to analyze ourselves and see why we do some things hastily, which is why it happens and the opposing teams are more aggressive and stronger. Tiny, small things that bring improvement in the game and results,” added Obradovic.
With the home crowd on their feet after Barcelona extended the lead to 71-61, Partizan made it a six-point game (71-65) but couldn’t do much more with Barcelona finishing the game on 13/32 threes.
“The atmosphere is incredible, how to say – this is a privilege for the sports world, to play in this kind of atmosphere”, admitted Grimau. “I loved the old Hala Pioneer, but this is another story. Exceptional atmosphere”.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague