Barça 91-82 Bilbao Basket: Convincing win ahead of important week

The Barça basketball team picked up their fifth league win of the season thanks to a 91-82 victory over Bilbao Basket in the Palau Blaugrana. An excellent second period and an in form Willy Hernangómez helped Roger Grimau's team to the win ahead of next week Euroleague date with Real Madrid in the WiZink Center.  

Even start 

Initially, Barça scored in threes with Laprovittola, Da Silva and Parra all hitting the mark but Bilbao Basket fought back to take an early 10-9 lead. A three point play from Willy Hernangómez at the end of the first quarter, however, allowed the blaugranes to take a 21-19 lead into the second period. 

Decisive spell

Six unanswered points at the start of the second quarter saw the balance tip towards the home side and Willy Hernangómez's excellent performance continued as Barça ended the half with a 47-39 advantage. 

The blaugranes stuttered in the opening moments of the third period but first Satoransky and then Vesely came to life to restore Barça's lead. At the end of the third quarter the blaugranes still enjoyed a 69-57 lead. 

Joel Parra and Hernagómez helped stretch that advantage to 18 points before a fightback from Bilbao Basket narrowed the scoreline to just 81-75. Abrines and Parra scored three pointers to stave off any thoughts of a comeback for the visitors, helping Barça to a 91-82 win ahead of next Thursday's fixture against Real Madrid which starts at 8.45pm CEST. 

MATCH STATS 

Barça, 91
Bilbao Basket, 82

Barça: Laprovittola (8), Vesely (10), Satoransky (8), Da Silva (4), Joel Parra (13) -starting five- Hernangómez (20), Jokubaitis (3), Parker (6), Brizuela (2), Abrines (9), Paulí (6), Nnaji (2)

Bilbao Basket: Pantzar (12), Smith (20), Rabaseda (4), Tsalmpouris (7), Hlinason (6) -starting five- Andersson (5), De Ridder (6), Killeya-Jones (11), Kullamae (9), Reyes (2), Renfroe (0)

Periods: 21-19, 16-10, 22-18, 22-25