Red alert at Palau blaugrana with the situation of Barça basketball. The blue and red team went through a very delicate moment at the beginning of the year, but 5 consecutive victories brought back calm. Now, it seems that patience is running out, especially because we are already in February and the trend is clearly unfavorable.
Tails in Vitoria
The week of games began on Thursday at the Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria. Barça faced a Baskonia that wasn't in the best of dynamics either, but was better than the blue and red team. Except for a stretch in the first half, where Barça was ahead, Baskonia was the dominant force in the game's rhythm.
The game unfolded in such a way that it left the end in a coin toss. The advantages between both teams were minimal in the second half, in a game where it is worth highlighting a high participation of Willy Hernangómez. The Madrid center, who had been playing very little, contributed with 11 points in almost 20 minutes.
After trailing by 4 in the last minute, Barça forced two rival turnovers that allowed them to tie the game with 4 seconds left. A basket by Punter silenced the Buesa and led to a timeout by Pablo Laso to prepare the last play. Forrest received the ball, surpassed Juan Núñez, and scored the winning basket at the buzzer.
That shot meant the final 88-86. With this defeat, Barça stands with a 13-11 record in the Euroleague, tied with Real Madrid and Milano in Play-In positions. This coming week, the blue and red team hosts Maccabi (Wednesday) and Olympiacos (Friday) at the Palau.
Outplayed from start to finish by Manresa
BAXI Manresa stormed Palau blaugrana in a very forceful manner. Diego Ocampo's team gave Barça practically no chance at any point in the match. While it's true that halftime was reached with a tight 44-46, the third quarter turned out to be a Manresa steamroller.
17-32 partial in the third ten minutes, and a Barça that only sustained its attack through individual talent. The defense was nonexistent, and Manresa penetrated the blue and red zone in any way.
The last quarter, which started with a score of 61-78, didn't have much more history. The scoring ability of Metu (21p) and Parker (20p) seemed like it could have brought back hope, but Manresa knew how to handle the situation. The visitors, led by a spectacular Alston Jr (29p), closed a prestigious victory, their third in their last four visits to the Palau.
In the end, 92-103, and another game in which Barça concedes more than a hundred points, the sixth already this season. This defeat leaves the blue and red team with a 10-9 record in the ACB, occupying the eighth position.