Barça 81-87 Joventut de Badalona: Series all square

It wasn't to be. Barça were unable to take a second win in the Endesa League semi-final play offs against Joventut de Badalona as they went down to a 87-81 defeat in the Palau Blaugrana. The blaugranes started well but a period in the second quarter when 'La Penya' outscored the home side by 14-5 turned out to be crucial. 

Advantage to 'La Penya' 

The game started with Joventut in the ascendancy, leading 14-9 in the early minutes. Exum led a Barça fightback and the home side clawed themselves into the contest at 17-16. Nevertheless, it was the visitors who led at the end of the first period at 27-26. 

In the second quarter Barça surged into the lead at 35-28 but a period in which 'La Penya' outscored Barça 14-5 meant that Joventut led at half time 42-40. 

After half time Barça were unable to keep pace with the visitors and Joventut at one point were 15 points ahead at 70-55. Saras' mounted a comeback in the final quarter to bring the prospect of a second win in the tie onto the horizon but Joventut held on for a six point win ahead of Wednesday's game three in Badalona starting at 9.00pm CEST. 

MATCH STATS:

Barça, 81
Joventut Badalona, 87

Barça: Nick Calathes (13), Nico Laprovittola (9), Nigel Hayes (10), Nikola Mirotic (11) and Sertaç Sanli (8) -starting five-, Brandon Davies (-), Dante Exum (12), Àlex Abrines (11), Rolands Smits (-) and Rokas Jokubaitis (5).

Joventut Badalona: Andrés Feliz (12), Pau Ribas (6), Joel Parra (10), Derek Willis (7) and Simon Birgander (6) -starting five-, Ante Tomic (24), Guillem Vives (6), Pep Busquets (-), Albert Ventura (3), Ferran Bassas (13) and Zsombor Maronka (-).