Barça 85-79 Crvena zvezda: Back to winning ways in the Euroleague

Barça got back to winning ways in European competition with a 85-79 victory over Serbian side Crvena zvezda at the Palau Blaugrana. The contest was a tight one but the blaugranes were able to push on when it mattered with Jan Vesely and Nikola Mirotic scoring 21 points each. 

Early closeness

Abrines scored an early three pointer to kick start Barça into the game but the Serbians managed to limit the blaugranes to a three point advantage at the end of the first period at 18-15. 

In the second quarter Abrines' shooting again turned out to be vital with Saras' side leading 40-36 at the break. 

Crvena comeback 

Barça forged ahead early in the second half but the Balkan side, coached by former Barça boss Dusko Ivanovic, came back into the game to level things up at 57-57. 

The game was decided in the fourth quarter with Mirotic and Vesely again vital for the blaugranes. The team from Belgrade came to within two points at 75-73 but Jokubaitis, Kalinic and Vesely all scored important baskets to see Barça through at 85-79. 

MATCH STATS

Barça, 85

Crvena zvezda, 79

Barça: Sanli (2), Satoransky (13), Laprovittola (3), Abrines (12) i Mirotic (21) – starting five- Da Silva (-), Paulí (-), Vesely (21), Kalinic (5), Tobey (-), Kuric (-),Jokubaitis (8)

Crvena zvezda: Vildoza (7), Lazerevic (-), Martin (2), Bentil (11) i Campazzo (24)– starting five - Mitrovic (11), Ivanovic (6), Markovic (6), Petrusev (12).