Barça 91-74 Efes: Debut EuroLeague win
The best way to start the EuroLeague, with Barça overcoming Anadolu Efes (91-74) in this matchday one fixture. This was a promising 'showtime' performance in front of the fans in the Palau, with the blaugranes' scoring ability proving key.
Even start
The game in the Palau began frenetically as baskets were exchanged, with the score 9-9 after 3 minutes. The game was being played a fast pace, which was to Barça's liking, as they made the most of the open court to score 7-0, going ahead for the first time (22-19, min 19) after a three-pointer by Satoranky and two baskets from Da Silva.
The defence was also playing its part as the lead extended to 32-23 after a three-pointer by Brizuela (min 14). However, Efes reacted to come back to 34-32 (min 16), but the Turkish side's defence ultimately proved porous. 40-34 at the break.
‘Showtime’ in the Palau
Efes came out looking to come back, and both sides were again proving equally effective, with the Turkish side actually nosing in front after 23 minutes. However, Barça stepped on the gas again midway through the quarter through two plays by Laprovittola (54-48, min 25). Willy Hernangómez was the main scorer, scoring 11 points in the quarter (69-64, min 30).
The fourth quarter was won 22-10 by Barça, with defensive intensity the key. It was showtime in the Palau, first the lead was extended to nine and then +13 (81-68, min 35). Barça's attack was confounding the Efes defence, with Brizuela and Laprovittola pulling the strings and Parker scoring the points (10 in the quarter).
Larkin attempted to drive a comeback but Barça kept up the pace to close out this first matchday fixture superbly, final score 91-74.
GAME STATS
BARÇA, 91
ANADOLU EFES, 74
Barça: Satoransky (8), Laprovittola (13), Nikola Kalinic (4), Oscar Da Silva (4), Vesely (16) -starting five- Brizuela (7), Willy Hernangómez (18), Abrines (7), Parker (10), Jokubaitis (4), Parra.
Efes: Larkin (16), Thompson (2), Yilmaz (3), Derek Willis (8), Ante Zizic (9) -starting five- Beaubois (4), Bryant (10), Clyburn (7), Justus Hollatz, Tyrique Jones (10), Tibor Pleiss (5).
Quarters: 22-19 / 18-15 (40-34) / 29-30 (69-64) / 22-10 (91-74).
Referees: Sreten Radović, Mehdi Difallah, and Milivoje Jovčić.