A hopeless Barcelona falls to Panathinaikos | Basketball | Sports

Euroleague working day 31

Panathinaikos

Barça

Two-sided team, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Barça appeared shivering against Panathinaikos after losing with a crash the previous day against Fenerbahçe, a slap with an open hand that put its European step in question. Thus, screwed in second place in the Euroleague throughout the course, a new setback at the Oaka (89-81), a stadium in permanent boiling, could cost it three places and the home field advantage in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. And it came out tails, because Barça wasted a 16-point lead, from the best to the worst, more of the same, a roller coaster and a slap that unseats them in the table, once again a team that does not know how to manage the advantages, already looking up on the table and not with the rearview mirror.

Unlike in the last matches, Barcelona knew how to put a stop to Panathinaikos’ rushing exit, the surprise of Jokubaitis’ ownership against Laprovittola, the coach’s warning at the halfway point of the season finally becoming effective that he would pay attention to meritocracy and not to the gallons. His contagious energy was extended to the team, which caused turnovers and confusion in the rival, defenseless especially in the paint, where Vesely and Parker repeatedly hung on the rim, sensational in putting an end to the transitions. A Barça on the run led by Satoransky, capable of taking the first quarter (20-23) despite the persistence and success of Nunn.

Barça played like never before, solid on the rebound, generous in its defensive effort – almost always in the zone – and successful in the opposing ring, as Willy Hernangómez became the king of the bottle, Abrines stood out as a sniper – seasoned by Laprovittola – and Ricky Rubio explained that he is the magician of the orange ball, ribbons that broke hips and baskets from behind the rim, a partial of 17 points in a row, a film to remember (34-46), even though Mitoglou managed to keep Panathinaikos from out of the game early. But after the intermission the script changed drastically, as Panathinaikos fed off the tremendous hustle and bustle to, little by little, prevail in physical exercise, electric defense, and find in Sloukas the perfect restorative to awaken the beast. Steals, assists and points, the perfect point guard. The reply came from Vesely, the only one to ask for the opportunity, to see the big ring. Not enough, however, to not lose in a few minutes what was gained in the previous two quarters. 56-55, goodbye to the 16-point income. Although Abrines scored from the periphery. 60-61 to face the last chapter.

To Abrines’ new triple, Mitoglou responded with the same coin and Sloukas doubled the bet, whom no one could catch. That, seasoned by Nunn’s wrist and Lessort’s inside game – in addition to the homemade refereeing decisions – ended up breaking down a Barcelona that stumbled over the same rock again, unable to govern the attacks from foot to foot, team fallen from the noble positions of the table. And there is no friendly calendar left for the Barça team, which visits Bayern Munich – they are playing to get into the play-in-, will receive Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Palau, who fights to achieve the playoffsand will move to beat Asvel Villeurbanne, penultimate in the standings.

Valencia, on the other hand, accused the lack of centers in the team and, although they gave more than their face, lost on their visit to Monaco (79-78).

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