Barça suffered a heavy 77-102 defeat to Valencia Basket at the Palau Blaugrana, finishing the ACB regular season in fifth place. As a result, the Catalans will face UCAM Murcia in the play-off quarter-finals without home-court advantage.
Valencia set the tone from the outset, racing into an early lead and dominating the opening quarter. Barça struggled offensively and found it difficult to contain the visitors, who led 14-28 after ten minutes. Joel Parra sparked a brief reaction in the second quarter, helping reduce the deficit, but Valencia quickly reasserted control and went into half-time with a commanding 27-46 advantage.
The visitors continued to pull away after the break, stretching their lead beyond 20 points. Tornike Shengelia was Barça's standout performer, with Dario Brizuela also contributing, but every attempt at a comeback was swiftly answered by Pedro Martínez's side. Valencia maintained their intensity throughout and carried a 53-75 lead into the final quarter.
A 9-2 Barça run at the start of the fourth period briefly raised hopes, but Valencia quickly extinguished any thoughts of a comeback and cruised to victory, with the margin eventually reaching 26 points.
The defeat means Barça end the regular season in fifth place and will begin their play-off campaign away to UCAM Murcia on 2 June.
MATCH STATS
Barça, 77
Valencia Basket, 102
Barça: Marcos (5), Punter (5), Hernangómez (7), Shengelia (17), Parra (8), Brizuela (9), Vesely (4), Laprovittola (5), Satoransky (3), Clyburn (7), Norris (5) & Núñez (2)
Valencia Basket: Sako (9), Taylor (11), Montero (19), Pradilla (10), Badio (8), S. de Larrea (12), Key (5), Moore (9), Cárdenas (9) & Costello (10)
Periods: 14-28; 13-18 // 26-29; 24-27
Referees: Sergio Manuel, Pérez Pizarro & Vicente Martínez
