Barça picked up a big EuroLeague win at the Fernando Buesa Arena, with defence and command of rebounds being the keys to the game with Baskonia.
Things got off to a flying start with 3-point accuracy, no fewer than five in a row hitting the target, including two for a stellar Kalinic. But Barça's big 8-point lead immediately came to nothing following an 9-0 streak from the home side.
Top defending kept the Basques down to just 12 points in the second period, but again the home side was able to cut down a sizeable lead for the visitors.
In a very physical third, Baskonia managed to claw their way into the lead, but Barça hit back in the final quarter, with Abrines and Jokubaitis really coming into their own.
When a Satoransky three made it +10 with four to play, that looked like game over. The Basques managed to cut that difference by 50% and still had a minute to play with, but it was never going to happen. A big, big win for Barça in Europe.
MATCH STATS
Baskonia: Thompson (10), Sedekerskis (16), Díez (-), Giedraitis (11), Kotsar (10), Howard (7), Raieste (-), Marinkovic (6), Enoch (6), Costello (-), Hommes (12), Kurucs (-).
Barça: Satoransky (11), Laprovittola (6), Kalinic (9), Mirotic (15), Tobey (3), Da Silva (7), Sanli (8), Abrines (3), Higgins (6), Kuric (-), Jokubaitis (13), Nnaji (4).
Periods: 28-28 / 12-19 / 23-17 / 15-21
Referees: Sasa Pukl, Robert Lottermoser, Jurgis Laurinavicius.
