Nick Calathes’ record shines Barça’s victory (88-83)
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BarcelonaBarça ended their streak at AS Monaco, coming to the Palau Blaugrana after winning eight of their last matches. The Barça team won (88-83) in a night that will be remembered forever by the record of Nick Calathes, who surpassed the record of Vassilis Spanoulis and became the player with the most assists in the history of the Euroleague. The base added 10 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds. “I am very proud of the coaches and teammates I have had throughout my career, who have made things very easy for me. The record is an honor for me. It has been difficult for us to close the game against a very difficult opponent.” he opined.
The other positive news was the match of Dante Exum, who scored 22 points. “We did everything we could to win the game. This victory is the best way to celebrate the renewal of my contract,” said the Australian player. “We have relaxed against a very talented rival. Monaco is a difficult opponent and it has been difficult for us to stop their streak,” said Sarunas Jasikevicius. The Lithuanian coach had Cory Higgins and Pierre Oriola out.
Sertac Sanli took advantage of Donatas Motiejunas’ two personal fouls in just two minutes of play to score seven points during a first quarter in which Monaco took the lead. The visiting team built a difference of five points (6-11) against a Barça that took a long time to pick up the pace in the game (20-20).
Despite having good shooting percentages and some offensive rebounds, Barça did not produce points at their usual pace. The Catalan team clung to the activity of Nigel Hayes-Davis, more active than other days, and the inspiration of Nico Laprovittola to take an eight-point lead just before the break (42-34).
Barça got a 16-point lead (57-41) during a third quarter in which Exum became one of the mainstays of the Catalan offensive game. Once the gap was opened, the Barça team relaxed against a rival who took advantage of Dwayne Bacon’s triples to adjust the score (66-62). Monaco were able to get a three-point lead five minutes from the end (70-73), when the most solid and focused version of the Euroleague leader appeared. Good work from Calathes, Exum and Davies, and a good save from the free kick.
Barça will close a three-match week this Saturday by visiting the Valencia Basket court (6pm, Movistar). The Barça team must play a total of 13 games in just 29 days in March.
La Penya, against Breogán
Three weeks after the last match at the Palau Olímpic, Joventut Badalona hosts Río Breogán this Friday (8 pm, Movistar) in a duel that belongs to the 18th day of the Endesa League. The match against the Galicians will be the first of ten matches that the green-and-black team will play in the next 25 days. Ferran Bassas will be out. The base continues to recover from the fissure suffered in the first metacarpal of the right hand.
