Barça 75–80 Anadolu Efes: Comeback not enough

Difficult night in the Palau Blaugrana as Barça went down to a 80-75 defeat against Turkish side Anadolu Efes in the Euroleague. In front a packed crowd, Saras Jasikevicius' team were unable to sustain their fourth quarter comeback against the visitors who scored 14 three pointers with Larkin leading the way with a total of 17 points. 

Timid first quarter 

Both teams were erratic in their shooting in the opening period and the home side took four minutes to score their first points of the game. Visitors Efes were neither at their best but they were able to take advantage of Barça's mistakes to take a 21-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

In the second period seven points from Kalinic and nine points from Mirotic overall in the game helped Barça reduce Efes' lead to go in 39-28 down at half time. 

Perimeter shooting 

In the second half Barça seemed determined to get themselves back into the game with Mirotic and Vesely active. However, Larkin's shooting from the outside helped maintain the Turks' grip on the game and with the final period still to come, Efes led 62-48. 

Reaction too late 

Just when the contest appeared to be over, two three pointers from Da Silva breathed life back into Barça. Mistakes crept into Efes' game and 14 unanswered points brought the blaugranes to within four at 71-67. Nevertheless, the visitors rallied to hold on for the win and condemn Barça to their seventh defeat in this season's Euroleague. 

MATCH STATS

Barça, 75
Anadolu Efes, 80

Barça: Laprovittola (5), Kuric (2), Kalinic (9), Mirotic (15), Vesely (4) – starting five – Da Silva (10), Sanli (6), Abrines (4), Higgins (17), Jokubaitis (3).

Anadolu Efes: Micić (17), Larkin (17), Bryant (2), Singleton (5), Pleiss (12) – starting five – Beaubois (11), Clyburn (6), Mbaye (9), Dunston (1), Zizic (0).