Barça 97-84 Bilbao Basket: Perfect week and through to the Copa del Rey

A great victory for the Barça basketball team at the Palau Blaugrana – a fifth in a row and one that sees them qualify for the Copa del Rey in Gran Canaria. The blaugranes may have been all but through after Zaragoza lost to Granada, but it was good to get another win under the belt and keep the good vibe going. It's been a perfect week all in all, with two EuroLeague wins and one ACB victory.

Uncertain start

Barça's attack began lacking precision, and it took over two minutes for Fall to register the first points. Tomas Satoransky then stepped up the pace with a triple from wide, but despite Metu top scoring with seven, the blaugranes dropped off again and they were eight points down at the end of the quarter.

The Palau and Hernangómez stoke the fire

Willy Hernangómez came onto the court six minutes into the second, warmly applauded by the Palau crowd, and the team livened up. The blaugranes were better all round from then on, and the crowd pushed the team on as they cut into the lead. Anderson scored two free throws to tie up the game just before the break.

Strong reaction in the third

Barça's offensive prowess was in full flight after the restart, scoring 32 points in the third quarter alone, with 19 tabled in just five minutes. Jabari Parker stood out with three triples and 11 points to lead the way. They were 16 points up with just two and half minutes to the end of the quarter, the comeback complete.

Cruise to the finish

A less intense and exciting final quarter saw Barça roll smoothly to a 97-84 win. It was another example of the team being in the groove since January began, allaying any lingering doubts about their form coming into the new year.

Next up, a EuroLeague match against ASVEL Villeurbanne on Friday 24 January at 8.00pm CET, with a sixth consecutive win fully on the cards given their recent form.

GAME STATS

BARÇA 97
BILBAO BASKET 84

Barça: Tomas Satoransky (7), Kevin Punter (3), Álex Abrines (1), Jabari Parker (16) and Youssoupha Fall (4) - starting five -, Chimezie Metu (15), Juan Núñez (9), Justin Anderson (10), Jan Vesely (0), Darío Brizuela (12), Willy Henangómez (11) and Joel Parra (9).

 Bilbao Basket: Abdur-Rahkman (19), T. Gielo (2), M. Pantzar (9), Dragic (10) and Hlinason (1) - starting five -  De Ridder (9), Dominguez (7), Frey (0), Jones (9), Kullamae (13), Rabaseda (0) and Silveriro (4).

Quarters: 17-25, 25-17, 32-19, 23-23.

Referees: Luis Miguel Castillo, Alberto Baena and David Sánchez.