By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Valencia Basket took down FC Barcelona at home 81-76 and improved to a 6-12 record on Day 18 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. The Blaugrana now fall to 6-12 and their playoffs chances are more than slim.
The key: Rakim Sander reduced Barca’s deficit to four points with 50 seconds to go (75-71), yet Dubljevic sealed the fate of the game for the hosts with a successful pair of free throws. Despite Barcelona’s persistence, there wasn’t enough time to change the outcome of the game.
The star: Bojan Dubljevic led the winning side with 19 points and 7 rebounds, proving once more than he is one of the best big men in Europe.
The game: The hosts grabbed a double-score lead in the first five minutes of the game (12-6) and managed to close the first quarter leading 22-14.
An 11-3 outbreak by the Blaugranas followed in the second period, as Pierre Oriola tied the score to 25 points. The hosts managed to overcome the pressure as Doornekamp and Abalde hit respective threes, which put Valencia in charge with 43-36 at halftime.
Pau Ribas stepped up for the visitors early in the third quarter, still, Valencia managed to keep its short lead throughout the period (62-59, 30′).
Not enough: Oriola’s 15 points could seal the deal for Barcelona.