Not even Valencia can with the Palau

Barça’s ninth consecutive victory in the Endesa League, this time against Valencia, in a match where the Catalans went from less to more against a formidable rival. Jasikevicius’s men had a hard time getting into the game, greasing themselves from three, but this team has many resources. And he needed all of them to win against Valencia, who played an excellent first half, reaching 14 up. Lapro’s points, Mirotic’s actions and the appearance of Abrines at the last minute, with a three-pointer and a definitive steal, ended up sentencing the clash.

Barça jumped onto the Palau parquet, intense but unwise. Denied three and with trouble scoring two. Claver minimized Mirotic’s potential and, little by little, the visitors were taking advantage. In addition, offering a great version. The 0-10 run, which brought the game to 6-17, was thanks to Valencia, who did score from three despite being scored on almost all shots. Chris Jones did a lot of damage to Barça and Jasikevicius read it quickly. He ushered in Jokubaitis.

The coach’s idea was probably to put the Lithuanian on Jones, to stop the North American’s penetrations, but Mumbrú just gave him rest. The decision, however, went well: eight points from Jokubaitis, with a triple on the buzzer, brought Barça closer. But the level of Valencia Basket, in the first quarter, was very high. Rivero consolidated the game inside and scored from the outside, the penetrations and cuts did not stop and the Catalans were seen lost on the field (14-24). And the dynamic continued in the second quarter. Thefts, baskets, quick play and collective leadership: Valencia thrashed Barça (18-32).

The only thing left for the Catalans to improve defensively, find the options in static and start to score from three. And above all, start playing as a team. Lots of homework, some done before the break. They found holes in the defense, the Lapro-Vesely pairing was important and they improved at the back. Of the triples, however, without news (32-43).

They began to enter in the third quarter, led by Laprovittola, who also found Mirotic. The Argentinian channeled all of Barca’s offensive game, whether shooting or putting the ball inside, in the umpteenth demonstration that he is one of the team’s leaders. Much better sensations for the Catalans, who quickly transferred their superiority on the track to the score (46-49). Besides, They added Mirotic to the cause: not a point before the break, 13 in the third quarter. Valencia was not intimidated, and they answered formidably, with Webb III as the protagonist, maintaining the advantage at the beginning of the last quarter. Of course, it was already minimal (57-59).

The game was tilting, however, in favor of Barça. Mirotic’s points, Nnaji’s presence and Valencia’s losses weighed more and more. Jones’s four fouls as well. The score remained virtually tied (one up, the other up) because Valencia Basket refused to lose a game that they had dominated in the first half. Nerves took their toll on both of them, all making bad decisions, entering the last minute with the electronic practically tied (76-75). And Abrines appeared. He fought the entire game, but only scored one basket. A difficult triple, hasty, after picking up a ball from the ground, which was worth a victory. Three points only in the game, but the three most important.