Professional win in the Principality of Monaco as Barça got back to winning ways in the EuroLeague (63-69). Driven on by waves of three-pointers, a solid defence kept the side in fifth place at bay. Definitely Barça's most complete performance in Europe this season.
Defence sets the tone
This Monaco v Barça game started slowly, Mirotic, Sanli and Kalinic scoring first for the visitors, but both sides scoring few points due to the defensive solidity on show. Two three-pointers gave Barça a five point lead but the score remained low at the end of the first quarter (13-16).
There was still little to choose between the sides in the second quarter, with defences restricting any space inside the line, three-pointers being the obvious option, Mirotic obligingly making it 29-34 on the buzzer at halftime.
Three-pointers open up a lead
Barça's lead had been ground out by being more effective at three-pointers (7/17) than two-pointers (6/11). This effectiveness continued after the break, Satoransky, Mirotic, and Laprovittola scoring further long range baskets to open up the biggest lead of the game at +17. This was becoming an exhibition of long shooting in Monaco, 45-60 after the third.
Monaco came out flying for the fourth to comeback to 51-61. However, a rebound led to another three-pointer, this time by Kalinic, before Saras' men saw the game out for a 63-69 win. Back to winning ways in the EuroLeague with Panathinaikos up next in the Palau Blaugrana on Friday 16 December at 8.30m CET.
GAME STATS
Monaco, 63
Barça, 69
Monaco: Mike James (16), Elie Okobo (5), Blossomgame (7), John Brown (2) and Motiejunas (11) - starting five - Hall (8), Diallo (4), Moerman (10), Strazel (-), Ouatarra (-)
Barça: Satoransky (8), Laprovittola (7), Kalinic (5), Mirotic (15) and Sanli (5) -starting five - Higgins (9), Vesely (8), Tobey (3), Jokubaitis (-), Kuric (6), Da Silva (3)
Quarters: 13-16; 16-18 // 16-26; 18-9
Referees: Borys Ryzhyk, Sreten Radovic and Gytis Vilius
