FC Barcelona Lassa showed great spirit to rally back from a 13-point deficit against Laboral Kutxa but were unable to complete the turnaround, eventually losing 75-71 in a gripping game.
Xavi Pascual’s side made a positive start on a tough court, taking the first quarter, albeit by just one point.
However, the trio of Bourousis (22 points), Hanga (11) and Mike James (14) began to exert their dominance on the game while Perasovic capitalized on Barça’s second-quarter slump to see the home side take a six-point lead by the midway point.
Though the third quarter started well, with the first four points going Barça’s way, Baskonia kicked into top gear and began to race away. With five points on the bounce from Bourousis, Baskonia took a 56-45 lead into the decisive quarter, which was beginning to look like an impossible task for the Catalans.
The home side went thirteen points clear of their visitors but up stepped Alex Abrines to attempt an epic comeback. With two trebles back-to-back as well as points from Oleson and Perperoglou, Barça were level in just six minutes.
However, the incredible turnaround was not meant to be for Barça, as a late basket from Blazic and a failed free-throw saw the game end 75-71 in Baskonia’s favour, ending the blaugrana’s six-match win-streak.
