Barça 83-78 Real Madrid: Blaugranes take the Clásico!

The FC Barcelona basketball team got back to winning ways in the best possible fashion with an 83-78 win over Real Madrid in the Palau Blaugrana. Roger Grimau's side needed a victory in the Euroleague after a recent run of disappointing results and his squad came up with the goods in a game in which fortune swung both ways until a decisive final quarter saw Barça take control of the game. 

Jan Vesely scored 27 points and led the way for the home side in a riveting encounter which saw Real Madrid set the pace early on. 

Early baskets were exchanged before the visitors stretched Barça defensively with Musa adding 13 points in an opening quarter which ended with the blaugranes trailing by 25-21. 

Mistakes creep in 

The offensive power of both sides remained on display in the second period but gradually Barça cut into Madrid's lead and a three pointer from Brizuela saw them go in at half time just two points down at 47-45. 

In the second half a Kalinic three pointer put the blaugranes ahead at 48-47. Barça eased in front but both sides were unable to match the scoring rates of the first half as shooting errors crept into the contest. Chus Mateo's visitors clawed their way back and going into the final quarter Real Madrid led by two points at 62-60. 

Titanic triumph

At the start of the final quarter Grimau's team came flying out of the blocks with Vesely helping the home side to 12 unanswered points as the contest tipped in Barça's favour at 74-62. The visitors cut into the lead in the final minutes but a three pointer from Laprovittola with 90 seconds to go put the game beyond Real Madrid and Barça held on for a 83-78 victory. 

MATCH STATS

Barça, 83
Real Madrid, 78

Barça: Da Silva (2), Vesely (27), Kalinic (13), Satoransky (2), Parker (10) - starting five - Pauli (0), Brizuela (3), Hernangomez (6), Laprovittola (14), Jokubaitis (4), Parra (2)

Real Madrid: Abalde (3), Campazzo (6), Tavares (6), Ndiaye (4), Musa (19) - starting five - Causeur (2), Hezonja (16), Sergio Rodríguez (7), Poirier (6), Llull (9).