The Clásico is blaugrana. Sara Jasikevicius' team have beaten Real Madrid 97-82 in front of a packed Palau Blaugrana thanks to a dominant performance which places them top of the table following Baskonia's defeat and with seven games left in the regular season.
The bad news is that both Vesely and Abrines both picked up injuries during the contest with the Czech international having to leave the game with a knee problem.
Early parity
Vesely got Barça off to an excellent start with four unanswered points. The blaugranes also showed their prowess from the three point line to take an early lead in the contest.
However, in the final minutes of the first period, Barça lose their edge in attack and Real Madrid scored 7 points straight to make it 24-17 to the visitors at the end of the quarter.
Saras' team struck back in the second period with Laprovittola's three pointer bringing them back to within two points. The blaugranes improved in defence and that lead to the home side edging ahead at half time, 47-46.
Third quarter display
Barça were outstanding in the third quarter and despite losing Vesely to injury. Abrines and then Sanly hit home from the three point line to put Barça nine points ahead of Real Madrid.
Jasikevicius' team dominated the boards and at the end of the third period Barça led 78-63. In the fourth quarter Real Madrid momentarily threatened to get back into the game with the blaugranes taking three minutes to score their first points of the period. In the end, the home side moved up a gear to re-establish a healthy lead and then close out a 15 point win at 97-82.
MATCH STATS
Barça, 97
Real Madrid, 82
Barça: Satoransky (18), Higgins (0), Abrines (8), Mirotic (23) and Vesely (8) – cinc inicial – Paulí (0), Sanli (12), Kalinic (6), Laprovittola (14), Tobey (2), Kuric (2) and Nnaji (4).
Real Madrid: Hanga (11), Causeur (2), Hezonja (9), Yabusele (19) and Tavares (8) – starting five – Williams-Goss (2), Abalde (5), Rodríguez (2), Cornelie (0), Llull (0) and Musa (23).
