A disappointing result in the final game of 2021 for the blaugranes as they went down a 94-75 loss at Bitci Baskonia in the first game of the second half of the Euroleague. The defeat ends their run of nine successive wins in the competition.
Tight opening
The sides were closely matches in the opening period with Laprovittola impressing for Saras Jasikevicius' team as he helped Barça to a 23-20 lead. However, into the second period a run of 16 unanswered points from Baskonia saw the game tip in favour of the home side. A Mirotic three pointer helped Barça stay in touch at half time with Baskonia leading 40-34.
Too big a deficit
Two more three pointers from Mirotic gave the blaugranes hope at the start of the third quarter but the home side's prowess on offense proved too much as Baskonia stretched their lead to 20 at 74-54 with just a quarter to go.
Barça looked to mount a fight back but the home side managed their lead well in the fourth quarter to take a 94-75 win. A tough defeat to round out the year for the blaugranes with the Clásico to come on Sunday against Real Madrid.
MATCH STATS
Baskonia, 94
Barça, 75
Baskonia: Granger (10), Baldwin (16), Giedraitis (20), Sedekerskis (-), Enoch (13) -starting five-, Peters (8), Fontecchio (14), Costello (13), Marinkovic (-) Àlex Barrera (-).
Barça: Laprovittola (12), Higgins (2), Sergi Martínez (2), Mirotic (19), Davies (4) -starting five-, Exum (3), Sanli (13), Smits (2), Nigel Hayes (2), Jokubaitis (11), Caicedo (3), Nnaji (2).
Quarters: 20-23 / 40-34 / 74-54 / 94-75
