Unicaja Màlaga 103-96 Barça: Missed opportunity

FC Barcelona (3-1) had the chance today to match Unicaja Malaga (4-0) at the top of the League table. But the in-form Andalusians made home advantage count and continue their perfect record, while instead of leading, the Catalans have dropped to sixth.

Anderson, Satoransky and Metu all scored aplenty, but the home side led practically from start to finish, and ended up winning by seven. 

It was one of those games in which whenever Barça finally looked like they were back in contention, the opposition always managed to find the points to respond. Malaga were +9 after 14 minutes, but by the break the Catalans got it back to 49-48, but in the third period Malaga not only restored their previous lead but built on it to +13. That was going to be the story of the day.

For by the end of the third period, Barça were back to within three. Two fabulous comebacks, but like an accordion, the gap then widened again, up to +7 for Malaga, and then back down to +2. Surely this time?

But no. Just when Barça looked like they might just pinch the win in the nick of time, Perry's brilliant three tipped the balance back the other way. And this time there was no Barça fightback. The buzzer brought an end to the proceedings and now Barça need to put this defeat behind them and prepare for a big week ahead, in which they'll be visiting Istanbul and Athens.

MATCH STATS

Unicaja, 103
Barça, 96

Unicaja: Osetkowski (14), Taylor (19), Djedovic (-), Perry (22), Sima (4), Balcerowski (2), Kalinoski (19), Barreiro (9), Carter (2), Tillie (3), Ejim (-) & Kravish (9)
Barça: Satoransky (14), Brizuela (13), Sarr (), Parker (9), Fall (4), Metu (18), Núñez (2), Vesely (), Anderson (19), Punter (3) & Abrines (-)

Periods: 24-19; 25-29 // 25-23; 29-25

Referees: Carlos Peruga, Carlos Cortés & Alberto Sánchez Sixto