Baxi Manresa pays the piper

On paper it seemed like the perfect game to make up for three defeats, on the parquet it was confirmed. Barça passed over a Baxi Manresa who from the first minute had the game left over. Neither Barça is their rival nor was this a game in their league, but they also found the best version of the Catalans. A superb choral performance, also simple, that puts Jasikevicius’ men back on the right track. Outside success, defensive intensity and good ball circulation. Few buts, if not any, could be put on Barça.

Baxi Manresa was interested in a fast, hectic game with transitions, but against Barça you never know if that is the best option. Due to their defensive intensity, they stole three balls in Manresa’s first four possessions, but also due to their success. In four and a half minutes they had already scored 15 points. At the end of the first quarter 32. Something that is not a rarity in Jasikevicius’s team, which both against Olympiacos and against Fenerbahce had two excellent first quarters. Especially from the offensive point of view.

The excellent success in the shot, many released, was after all what made the difference. Manresa opted for small quintets that suffered a lot in defense and did not know how to attack. Up to seven losses from the visitors, many in the first pass, in ten minutes. And before an injured Barça that came from chaining three defeats. Bad business.

The second Barça unit gave Baxi Manresa some air, which timidly approached on the scoreboard (32-21). It was a mirage, because the triples continued to fall on the Barça side with excellent success. The little defensive opposition from the visitors helped decidedly. Missed triples too. The azulgranas’ systems were executed, the shots went in. Barça played the first 20 minutes at will (56-29).

Baxi Manresa certainly improved after the break, especially in attack. And it is that those of Bages had not played a disastrous first half either. They could have been more aggressive or had more success, but their problem was a splendid Barça. With a more than wide advantage, in addition, the Catalans did not give them any margin. Lots of minutes for Nnaji, in a game where Jasikevicius already began to distribute efforts in the third quarter. Satoransky’s festival, 19 points, 5 assists and a PIR of 29 in 19 minutes, was worth mentioning.

Kuric left with a head injury after a blow, always worrisome in the case of the American, in a game that had already been decided for many minutes. The difference always oscillated around 30 points, it dropped at the end due to numerous Barca losses, with a very relaxed Barça. Very good performance by Jokubaitis, who directed the end of a game in which they insisted on putting balls to Nnaji.