Joventut 75-93 Barça: Derby delight

Barça really needed a win, and they got just that from the short journey to Badalona to beat Joventut in what was as passionate an encounter as one would expect whenever these two rivals come together. Dario Brizuela (18), Satoransky (15) and Abrines (11) led the scoring in a game that restores some morale after back-to-back losses in Europe.

Tight start

Barça took the initiative early on, with Ricky looking better than ever on his first return to the club where everything started for him. But despite a troubled opening, Joventut soon settled into the game and in the second period a 7-0 streak got them back on level terms. With both sides aggressive in defence, this was game of many free throws, perhaps too many. Barça led by five at the break but without either side truly having imposed themselves on the game (40-45).

Barça make their break

A spectacular Dario Brizuela was the main reason for Barça's response after the restart. The guard's contribution was huge as his team flew into a double figure lead for the first time in the game and never had to look back after. By the end of the third period the distance had risen to 15, and this game had the blaugrana colours written all over it.

The final quarter was a mere formality. Satoransky and Abrines kept things sweet with some key scores and the green-and-black resurgence simply never happened. In the end Barça won it by 18, and the result puts a smile back into dejected hearts after two disappointing performances in Europe this week (75-93).

MATCH STATS

JOVENTUT, 75
BARÇA, 93

Joventut: Andrews (1), Feliz (15), Kraag (7), Ruzic (6), Prey (2), Evans (9), Busquets (0), Platteeuw (0), Brodziansky (18), Vives (3), Cook (12)

Barça: Ricky Rubio (9), Brizuela (18), Kalinic (4), Parker (9), Willy Hernangómez (2), Da Silva (4), Jokubaitis (6), Parra (6), Vesely (11), Satoransky (15), Laprovittola (0), Abrines (9)

Periods: 21-28, 19-17 // 15-25, 20-23

Referees: Carlos Peruga, Luis Miguel Castillo & Andrés Fernández