Barça 95-89 Gran Canària: Epic at the Palau

Barça delivered a miracle at the Palau Blaugrana, coming from 20 behind to beat Dreamland Gran Canaria. With just two minutes to go, the difference was still in double figures, but powered on by a magnificent 29-point Laprovittola, supported by an also outstanding Jabari Parker (15), they salvaged a win thanks to an awesome late fightback.

They really needed a boost like that ahead of the fifth and final game of the EuroLeague playoff series against Olympiacos, also at the Palu this coming Wednesday at 8.45pm CEST

Despite an especially impressive start by Tomas Satoransky, Barça couldn't nudge the Canary Islanders off in the first period. A promising 14-5 streak was contested by a 2-12 from the visitors, and there was nothing between the sides at the end of the first ten (16-17).

Brizuela was the main blaugrana man in the second quarter, but Brussino was shining for the yellows, and by the time of the break it was them who were edging their way ahead (33-37). 

And that tendency continued and continued. As the third period progressed, things looked nastier and nastier, with Gran Canaria 15 clear by the end of it (50-65).

Things didn't improve, and the gap widened to 20, and although Barça improved in the fourth and final period, with just two and a half minutes to go, the score was 65-74, and there was little hope of this one getting sorted.

The so many times we have spoken of the magic of the Palau, of Barça being more than a club, and so much more. Two 3-pointers from Laprovittola suddenly tipped the whole dynamic. Barça could do this. And Gran Canaria was flaking under the pressure.

With two seconds remaining, Jabari Parker had three frees to tie the game. Under incalculable pressure, he bagged the lot and we were headed for overtime (80-80).

Gran Canaria looked worn out, but Vesely and Da Silva found the energy to keep their team in contention, but it eventually proved too much. Buoyed by the home fans, Barça knew they had this now, and the amazing Laprovittola was the biggest hero of all as an epic victory was confirmed, eventually by a six-point margin (95-89).

MATCH STATS

Barça, 95.
Dreamland Gran Canaria, 89.

Barça: Nicolas Laprovittola (29), Tomas Satoransky (9), Alex Abrines (9), Oscar Da Silva (2), Willy Hernangómez (7), Jabari Parker (15), Jan Vesely (11), Darío Brizuela (4), Rokas Jokubaitis (4), Joel Parra (3), Ricky Rubio (2), Oriol Paulí (-).

Dreamland Gran Canaria: Andrew Albicy (5), Nicolás Brussino (14), Jovan Kljajic (10), John Shurna (8), Ethan Happ (24), Pierre Pelos (13), Ferran Bassas (7), Ben Lammers (5), Miquel Salvó (3), Roko Prkacin (0), Sylven Landesberg (0), Amar Gegic (0).

Periods: 16-17; 17-20 (33-37); 17-28 (50-65); 30-15 (80-80); 15-9 (95-89).

Referees: Emilio Pérez, Fabio Fernández & Vicente Martínez.