By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Barcelona is depleted; their latest injury was Chimezie Metu, but they got the important 98-88 win over Milan, which is also fighting all season long with injuries.
Dario Brizuela, with 27 points, and Kevin Punter, with 25, covered for their teammate in an impressive way.
The big picture is that Barcelona, with an 18-14 record, is flirting with the 6th spot of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings, while Milan at 16-16 is tied with Partizan in the 11th spot.
Despite 28 points by Nikola Mirotic and 18 by Shavon Shields, Milan was trailing for most of the game, not getting much from Zach LeDay (7 p. 6 r.), who is still not totally fit.
“Very proud of my players. It isn’t easy to play with character and ambition like we did today. After the terrible news and injury of Chimezie [Metu], they reacted. The whole team was amazing, and it’s a day to be proud of my players,” Barcelona coach Joan Penarroya commented.
Barcelona in control
Barcelona opened the game leading 25-21 in the first period and extended their advantage to nine points (34-25) thanks to a three by Dario Brizuela.
That was the start of a dominant quarter for the guests, who led by 13 (25-21), and Milan managed to trim the lead to 11 (55-44) after a shot by Leandro Bolmaro.
Brizuela already had 17 points for Barcelona in the first half, while Nikola Mirotic scored 13 first-half points for Milan.
The Italians couldn’t turn the tide until the end. With Brizuela scoring again at the end of the third period, Barcelona was up again by 11 (74-63) and in the first three minutes of the last quarter extended their advantage to 20 points (85-65) with Punter scoring at will.
Milan did make it again a 10-point game (91-81) with two minutes left, but it was too little, too late.
“We played a poor performance on both ends of the floor, which is not enough. At this moment of the season, we play for a great opportunity to be in the Playoffs and Play-Ins. We can’t come out with two games like this week, with too many lapses, mistakes. I’m the coach, and I will try to help them play better,” Milan coach Ettore Messina admitted.
Photo credit: EuroLeague