Barça 79-88 Unicaja: A win needed in Málaga

Barça were unable to take a second victory at home in the semi-finals of the league play off with Unicaja taking an 88-79 win in the Palau Blaugrana in game two.  The defeat was the first this season in the league for Saras Jasikevicius' team at home after 19 consecutive victories. 

Poor start to the game 

The game got off to the worst possible start for the home side as they were 14-1 down after six minutes of the first quarter.  The first score from open play came from Jokbaitis and his efforts, along with those of Sanli and Tobey, helped to reduce the deficit to 25-18 at the end of the first period. 

The second quarter comeback 

In the second period Kalinic led the blaugranes to within three points of Unicaja at half time, the side from Málaga leading 40-37 at the break. Into the third quarter and the feeling was that the blaugranes were taking control of the contest: two three pointers from Laprovittola and a spot of genius from Mirotic saw Barça ahead for the first time at 50-47. 

Unicaja soak up pressure and react 

The Palau sensed Barça getting themselves back in the game but Unicaja held their nerve and the visitors edged themselve back in front at the end of the third quarter at 63-57. 

The home side were 10 points down with just over six minutes left and with four to go, Unicaja led by 18 at 82-64. Barça clawed back some of the deficit but still went down to a nine point defeat at 88-79. Now Saras' team face two game at the Martín Carpena de Málaga, the first on Sunday at 6.30pm CEST and the second on Tuesday and the blaugranes will have to win at least one to force a fifth game at the Palay. 

MATCH STATS 

Barça: 79
Unicaja: 88

Barça: Satoransky (7), Laprovittola (19), Abrines (1), Mirotic (6), Vesely (4) - starting five - Sanli (7), Sergi Martínez (0), Kalinic (14), Tobey (3), Kuric (13), Jokubaitis (5) and Nnaji (0).

Unicaja: Perry (13), Kalinoski (13), Ejim (7), Kravish (13), Barreiro (2) - starting five - Osetkowski (6), Brizuela (5), Alberto Díaz (0), Carter (19), Djedovic (0), Thomas (3) and Sima (7).