Barça 84-81 Unicaja: Home advantage wins out

Barça have struck first in their semi-final league playoff with an 84-81 win at home over Unicaja. The blaugranes were always ahead in the game but the side from Málaga made life difficult for them with a late comeback.

The Palau, a guarantee of success 

Barça and the Palau Blaugrana has been an unbeatable combination this season in the league with 18 wins in 18 matches coming into the clash with Unicaja. Friday's game followed the season's script with the blaugranes in control from the start. 

Abrines and Sanli in particular helped Barça to a 26-15 at the end of the first quarter and the Palau mood was one of optimism. However, seven unanswered points from the visitors at the start of the second period saw Unicaja came back into the contest. Captain Mirotic helped steady the ship and the lead was extended to 45-31 at half time. 

Unicaja threaten

In the second half the visitors once again upped their game and a three pointer from Kalinoski brought them to within two points at 57-55. 

Nevertheless, Saras Jasikevicius' team held their nerve to take a 66-58 lead into the final quarter. Unicaja never threw in the towel and in the fourth quarter with just under 20 seconds left a three pointer from Carter brought them to within three points of Barça. With only seconds remaining Unicaja had a shot to level things up but excellent defense from the blaugranes saw them close out the win with the second game of the tie to come on Friday in the Palau at 9pm CEST.

MATCH STATS

Barça: 84

Unicaja: 81

Barça: Laprovittola (5), Satoransky (10), Abrines (12), Mirotic (14), Vesely (12) - starting five - Sanli (13), Kalinic (2), Tobey (0), Kuric (7) and Jokubaitis (9).

Unicaja: Ejim (14), Brizuela (5), Djedovic (2), Kravish (4), Perry (2) - starting five - Osetkowski (5), Barreiro (0), Alberto Díaz (4), Carter (10), Thomas (4), Kalinoski (12) and Sima. (19)