Another game and another win for Saras Jasikevicius' Barça. After the win on Tuesday against Bayern Munich, today saw an authoritative win against Panathinaikos who found containing the home side difficult (86-60).

Greek resistance in the first quarter

After an even start, it wasn't long before it looked like the game would go Barça's way. Panathinaikos were happy to trade blows at the start and ended the first quarter only two points down. Barça then stepped it up in the second quarter and were on the road to victory, with Hayes Davis starring.

The second quarter saw Dante Exum carry the team forward and with almost nine consecutive points, Barça took a 26-17 lead. Hayes-Davis then took on the baton and after ten consecutive points, the home side were twenty points ahead at the break (45-25).

Second half control and rotations

Barça were comfortably in control and after doubling Panathinaikos' score (54-27), the away side clawed back some of the difference, scoring 4-11. Rather than settling for the result, Jasikevicius asked for a time out, with the team coming out concentrated and enjoying showing outstanding play.

Saras then made use of the lead to rest some of his key men and give some of the squad more minutes - for example, Mirotic uncharacteristically only played 19 minutes. The young James Nnaji, aged only 17 years old, got the fans in the Palau to their feet with superb plays in the final minutes.

Barça were efficient, averaging 76.9% for three-pointers (compared to 16.7% for their opponents), going on to close out a second win of the week, with Monbus Obradoiro next up to visit the Palau.

Game stats:

Barça, 86
Panathinaikos, 60

Barça: Laprovittola (5), Calathes (7), Hayes Davis (14), Mirotic (9) and Sanli (8) – starters –, Davies (4), Exum (12), Martinez (4), Smits (5), Jokubaitis (9), Nnaji (4) y Kuric (5). 

Panathinaikos: Macon Jr, Bochoridis, Kaselakis, White and Evans – starters –, Perry, Ferrell, Avdalas, Jovic, Nedovic, Sant-Roos, Papapetrou and Mandzoukas

By quarter: 17-15 / 45-25 / 63-42 / 86-60

Referees: Damir Javor, Emin Mogulkoc and Tomasz Trawicki

Força Barça