Barça 79-72 Monaco: Character to stay alive

Victory for Barça by 79-72 in the Palau Blaugrana in game four of their Euroleague play off against Monaco. The win for Joan Peñarroya's team levels the tie at 2-2 and sets up a fifth and deciding game in the principality next Tuesday 6 May. 

Good start pegged back

Spurred on by a packed Palau Blaugrana crowd, Barça started brilliantly against Monaco, taking a 15-3 lead after just 5 minutes of the contest. Jabari Parker three point shooting led them to a 21-6 advantage with the visitors struggling to find their rhythm against an intense Barça defense. The first quarter ended with the blaugranes in control at 23-14. 

However, the second period was a different story. Barça lost their mojo and scored just 4 points in the first seven minutes of the period as Monaco surged ahead at 30-27. Two three pointers from Brizuela pulled them back in front but it was only temporary as the visitors took a 38-35 lead at half time. 

Tight...

Monaco stretched their lead to 8 points early in the third period but Kevin Punter led a fightback from the blaugranes to bring them back to within two at 46-44. Youssoupha Fall contributed greatly after the break to keep the blaugranes in the game as the teams went into the final quarter tied on 58-58. 

Barça move ahead

The game was decided in the final quarter with Dario Brizuela bringing the Palau to its feet both on offense and defense. At 64-60 Barça opened up a lead and with four minutes to go they were up by six at 71-65. At that point Peñarroya's team showed their experience to manage their advantage and close out a 79-72 win. At 2-2 now in the tie, a place in the Final Four of the Euroleague will be decided next Tuesday at 7pm CEST in Monaco in game five. 

MATCH STATS 

Barça, 79
Monaco, 72

Barça: Punter (11), Anderson (7), Satoransky (3), Fall (9) and Parker (22) -starting five- Hernangómez (6), Brizuela (17), Abrines (-), Parra (4) and Villar (-)
Monaco: James (16), Diallo (13), Okobo (6), Blossomgame (8) i Theis (7) -starting five- Loyd (7), Jaiteh (3), Brown (2) and Strazel (10)