FC Barcelona 78-71 Anadolu EFES: Important victory
A win was much needed for Xavi Pascual's team and that is exactly what they took against Anadolu EFES with a 78-71 victory in the Palau Blaugrana. Success against the Turkish side keeps Barça in the fight for a direct spot in the play offs in the Euroleague.
Shengelia leads the way
Following defeat in the Clásico on Sunday, Barça struggled initially to find their rhythm on their return action. Shengelia was the man who pulled them into action scoring seven of his team's first nine points. At 25-18 up, the blaugranes seemed in control of the contest and when half time came around a 42-30 lead had Xavi Pascual's team in the driving seat.
However, Anadolu were not finished and eight straight points from center Osmani brought them back into the game in the third quarter and with just one period to go, the result was still up in the air with Barça leading by three at 57-54.
After a recent period of mixed results, the blaugranes showed admirable nerve to resist a comeback from their opponents. Key points from Clyburn and then Vesely have them breathing space at 70-63.
Vital win
The culers still had to close out the victory and a 78-71 final score led to a collective sigh of relief and gave them 19 wins in the Euroleague, still within reach of a top six finish and a direct place in the play offs. Other results in the competition mean that Xavi Pascual's team are placed at least for a spot in the play-in round with five games to go in the regular season.
MATCH STATS
Barça: 78
EFES: 71
Barça: Satoransky (8), Punter (9), Clyburn (21), Shengelia (14) and Vesely (10) - starting five - Marcos (0), Cale (2), Norris (-), Brizuela (9), Hernangómez (4), Fall (-) and Parra (1).
EFES: Dozier (13), Weiler-Babb (13), Loyd (2), Smits (4) and Osmani (18) - starting five - Beaubois (3), Hazer (6), Lee (3), Cordinier (5), Swider (0), Yilmaz (-) and Jones (4).
Quarters: 19-15, 42-30, 57-54, 78-71.