By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
It was the first-ever EuroLeague game between Spanish rivals FC Barcelona Lassa and Valencia Basket who were competing for Day 8 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Barcelona eventually got the 89-71 win over Valencia and improved its record to 3-5 while the visitors slipped to also 3-5.
The key: Barcelona’s reaction to Bamberg’s loss was great. Alonso’s team made 9/16 three-pointers in the first half alone, scored 50 points and allowed only 32, making things easy in the rest 20 minutes.
Barcelona’s team game: With 23 assists, four players in double-digits (Pierre Oriola’s 14 leading the way) and 10/24 three-pointers the home team showcased beautiful team basketball on the offensive side of the court.
The game: The home team started off the game with a quick 7-2 run, showing good signs both offensively and defensively. Adrien Moerman had three (3) three-pointers in the first quarter which led Barca to an early 24-18 lead (10:00).
In the second quarter, the visitors cut the lead to just two points (24-22). Barcelona, however, responded as they made 7/12 shots behind the arc and increased their lead to double digits (35-24). The first half ended 50-32 with the home side playing well with intensity and their offense clicking on all cylinders.
In the second half, ‘Blaugrana’ controlled their double-digit lead and even increased their lead to 20 points (54-34), not allowing Valencia to come back as Bamberg did two days ago. The third quarter ended 71-56 with the visitors trying to pull the lead back. In the fourth quarter, however, Barcelona kept this double-digit lead and had the upper hand finishing the game off well.
Not enough: Tibor Pleiss finished with 13, while San Emeterio (0 points) and Erick Green (10 points) struggled from the field.