Barça defeat in Kaunas. The Catalans, despite playing a good game and going ahead on the scoreboard for much of the match, fell to Zalgiris (91-84) in a very disputed duel until the end.
Great Barça start
The first bars have been completely dominated by Barça with Barça very connected from the three-point line (five triples in the first quarter) and also very solid in defense, leaving Zalgiris without scoring a single point for six minutes, to end up closing the period with a resounding 9-17.
Already in the second quarter, the locals woke up in attack, and an initial run of 10-2 has leveled the match. The give and take has been constant throughout the period, with Zalgiris leading the scoreboard for much of it, but a three-pointer at the buzzer from Kuric left everything to decide in the second half, going into the break with 35-35 on the scoreboard.
The third act has started with two good triples from Mirotic and Laprovittola, and little by little, Barça has once again taken the advantage on the scoreboard that they would not let slip throughout the entire quarter. With a great Mirotic, Saras’ men managed to reach the last quarter ahead (56-63) but with everything open.
They turn the scoreboard in the last quarter
In the last half, the azulgrana have lost the advantage and Zalgiris, very successful in the recovery and also in attack with a good Lekavicius, has been ahead with a convincing part of 15-4 (81-72) . And despite the Catalans’ attempts to come back, with a great Mirotic that has finished with 26 points, the reaction has not been enough. Finally, culé defeat (91-84), but Barça will continue to lead the Euroleague.
Datasheet
Zalgiris Kaunas, 91
Barça84
Zalgiris Kaunas: Tai Webster (2), Shooting range (-), Jankunas (-), Ulanovas (16), Lauvergne (18) -initial-, Josh Nebo (8), Milaknis (7), Lekavicius (22), Miniotas (2) , Niels Giffey (14), Marek Blazevic (2).
Barça: Rokas Jokubaitis (11), Laprovittola (16), Dante Exum (4), Mirotic (26), Sanli (-) -initial five-, Brandon Davies (2), Calathes (6), Nigel Hayes (2), Kuric (15), Àlex Abrines (-), Rolands Smits (2), Sergi Martínez (-).
partial: 9-17 / 35-35 / 56-63 / 91-84
referees: Diffallah, Paternico, Shemmesh.
