Valencia Basket v FC Barcelona Lassa: Leaders secure win in final quarter (76-59)

Valencia Basket v FC Barcelona Lassa: Leaders secure win in final quarter (76-59)

The blaugranes fell to a defeat against the Valencian team in a close game which the home side won in the last few minutes

Barça Lassa were not able to get a win away to Valencia Basket. The game was low-scoring and neither team were able to dominate with Barça in contention until the final quarter when the home side were more clinical in attack.

Bartzokas’ players started quickly against the league leaders and two Claver three pointers gave Barça a one-point lead by the sixth minute (7-8). It wasn’t an easy game though as the Valencians kept the scoreboard ticking and there was little to choose between the two.

The defences were on top in the first half and Barça edged ahead at the start of the second quarter (16-17). The blaugranas were scoring 70% of their three pointers and this was hurting the home side. Pedro Martínez’s team were led by Oriola who top scored with 14 points and helped his side take the initiative. Tomic helped Barça Lassa stay in touch, who top scored for his side with 13 points and eight rebounds, but he was unable to stop them going into the break six points behind (35-29).

Decisive final quarter

The break didn’t change the game’s dynamic and the defences were still in top with both sides faltering in attack. The home side’s 14 offensive rebounds against Barça’s five started to tell. The Catalans were still in it in the third quarter thanks to Koponen, Tomic and Rice’s baskets.

Barça were eight points behind with ten minutes to go and Valencia were in control with the away side lacking accuracy in attack. The Valencians moved ahead and consolidated their lead in the final quarter and eventually secured a 76-59 victory. Following the defeat, Barça are fifth in the table and Bartzokas’ team are still fighting to claim a spot in the ACB league play-offs.

Força Barça
Força Barça

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