A bitter sweet debut for Pau Gasol as the centre made his debut in his second spell at the Club, 20 years after his last Barça game. After two years out due to injury, Gasol played 13 minutes, recording 9 points, 4 rebounds and an assist. However, it was not enough to help Saras' side avoid defeat against Bayern Munich in the final of the Euroleague regular season with top spot already assured.
Gasol on from the start
The game started with Pau Gasol in the starting five and the debutant scored Barça's first points of the game. Both sides had early periods of dominance with a three pointer from Westermann levelling things up at 13-13. Nevertheless, Bayern took control at the end of the first quarter with a lead of 29-22.
In the second quarter, with former blaugrana Reynolds leading the way for the Germans, Bayern made it to half time with a 43-37 advantage. Calathes created baskets for Smits and Gasol in the second half as Barça pulled to within two points of the visitors at 47-45. However, Munich kept their nerve and their lead of 60-55 at the end of the third quarter.
In the final quarter the blaugranes showed intensity but were unable to avoid a 82-72 defeat that does not alter the fact that they already had first place assured in the Euroleague regular season. Saras' team will find out on Monday if they are to face Zenit or Valencia next in the Euroleague.
MATCH STATS
Barça, 72
Bayern, 82
Barça: Calathes (-), Westermann (12), Sergi Martínez (4), Claver (2), Pau Gasol (9) -starting five-. Davies (11), Hanga (7), Bolmaro (12), Smits (6), Pustovyi (2), Abrines (3), Kuric (4).
Bayern: Baldwin (18), Seeley (2), Lucic (14), Gist (2), Radosevic (5) -starting five-. Reynolds (26), Flaccadori (5), Zipser (3), Johnson (2), Sisko (5).
