Barça 95-87 Baskonia: OT thriller at the Palau

Barça followed up Friday’s victory at Obradoiro with a win over one of the Liga ACB’s top sides, Baskonia, on Sunday. Barça go 2-0 in the Spanish championship following a top quality OT encounter that ended 95-87.

On a day that the section paid homage to the late, great Chicho Sibilio, Brandon Davies was outstanding with his 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Mirotic was not far behind with an impressive 22.

A 9-0 streak put Barça in the driving seat early doors, but the visitors cut into a 14-point deficit to end the opening period back in contention on 24-19, and with Shengelia, Shields and Fall especially strong, they had managed to get back level by the break.

The dramatic shift in affairs didn’t end there. The Basques led 53-61 as the half-hour mark approached and it was Smits who led the Catalan reaction before two threes from Delaney got matters back to all-square at 73-73. Baskonia looked to be edging their way to victory, but a late Higgins score meant we were headed for overtime.

This time it was the blaugrana who were generally on top. A Davies three finally tipped the balance to 91-85 and from then Barça kept their cool and held on for a big win.

MATCH STATS

Barça: Claver (5), Mirotic (22), Hanga (6), Davies (24), Higgins (10), Oriola (-), Tomic (-), Abrines (-), Smits (6), Kuric (8), Delaney (14).

Baskonia: Shengelia (16), Eric (8), Vildoza (-), Garino (14), Shields (12), Diop (1), Janning (11), Henry (8), Polonara (5), Fall (12).

Periods: 24-19, 42-42, 58-63, 80-80; 95-87.