Barça 79 - Olympiacos 78: Another obstacle overcome

Every opponent is falling short. Barça's winning run continues, now up to nine in a row. However, this EuroLeague win went down to the wire, as Saras' team won 79-78 in overtime.

Inaccurate shooting sets the tone

Scoring was tough. FC Barcelona begin the clash out of sorts in a loud and colourful Palau Blaugrana. Despite the fans' support, shooting remained erratic, with the score 27-32 at one point. Luckily, the Greeks were also unable to take advantage.

Turnaround in the third quarter

Two three-pointers in a row at the start of the third quarter - Kuric and Mirotic - proved the turning point for Barça. Stepping up the pace considerably, they opened up a 55-47 lead by the start of the fourth quarter.

Overtime win

Defensive commitment  -  Oriola in particular - helped to keep the Greeks at bay. A three-pointer and a block from the Barça captain helped to push the score to 58-49. The visitors were no pushovers, however, even going 65-67 ahead in the 39th minute. A tight game was decided in overtime, with Calathes and Mirotic edging Barça closer to the win, including two free throws converted by Barça's 18. 

Ultimately a ninth consecutive win (79-78), the third in the EuroLeague, and the unbeaten run continues.

MATCH STATS

Barça 79
Olympiacos 78

Barça: Calathes (9), Higgins (11), Hayes-Davis (2), Mirotić (22) and Davies (10) - starters - Smits (-), Oriola (7), Laprovittola (7), Kuric (9), Jokubaitis (2) and Sergi Martínez (-)
Olympiacos: Thomas Walkup (6), Tyler Dorsey (12), Moustapha Fall (11), Vezenkov (12) and Papanikolaou (-) - starters l- Larentzakis (6), Kostas Sloukas (14), Martin (2), Printezis (-), Livio Jean-Charles (5) and Mckissic (10) 

Interim scores: 10-17; 17-15 // 28-15; 12-20 // 12-11

Officials: Mehdi Difallah, Carmelo Paternico and Gytis Vilius