Valencia Basket 78-88 Barça: Great blaugrana victory at La Fonteta

A big win for Barça away to Valencia Basket (78-88). After the last EuroLeague loss, the blaugranes went to La Fonteta and won through after a quality second half performance.

Tight first half but Valencia lead at the break

Intensity and defence at the start of this European game at La Fonteta. Jan Vesely netted characteristically from mid court ro open the scoring in a sign of a great performance to come. Jabari Parker and Rokas Jokubaitis provided able support on their first starts in the EuroLeague this season, and the lead was 6-16 after six minutes. However, Valencia reacted to level the score at 18-18.

Offensive rebounds and losses of possession were harming Roger Grimau's side, and the home side took the lead, but neither side managed to pull away (34-33, min. 16). The Valencia side were ineffective from distance but made the most of Barça's errors to go in 42-37 up at the break.

Blaugrana comeback

A different approach saw the blaugranes regain the lead after the break (42-43, min. 23), mainly through Jabari Parker, who stepped up in attack for Barça with eight points in the period. Baskets were then exchanged until a three-pointer by Joel Parra in the last seconds of the quarter saw Barça lead 57-59.

Ricky Rubio got his first points in the fourth, directing proceedings well as the blaugranes scored seven without reply (60-66, min. 32). The best version of Barça was on display in both defensive possession and accurate attacking. Two three-pointers in a row from Nikola Kalinic and Nico Laprovittola opened up the biggest lead of game at +13, which proved enough to confirm their 19th win in this season's EuroLeague.

Next up, Barça travel to another tough place to go as they face Baskonia in the Liga Endesa (10 March, 6:30pm CET).

GAME STATS

Valencia Basket 78
Barça 88

Valencia Basket: Josep Puerto (2), Chris Jones (15), Justin Anderson (6), Damien Inglis (13), Brandon Davies (7) - starting five - Jared Harper (0), Víctor Claver (10), Jaime Pradilla (2), Xabi López-Arostegui (4), Kassius Robertson (0), Semi Ojeleye (19), Kevin Pangos (0)

Barça: Tomas Satoransky (6), Rokas Jokubaitis (2), Nikola Kalinic (13), Jabari Parker (12), Jan Vesely (21) - starting five - Darío Brizuela (2), Ricky Rubio (3), Willy Hernangómez (8), Nico Laprovittola (13), Alex Abrines (0), Joel Parra (8), James Nnaji (-)

Quarters: 18-18, 24-19 // 15-22, 21-29

Referees: Robert Lottermoser, Milan Nedovic, Gentian Cici