94-73: Gale Kuric sentences the quarterfinal playoff

The hoop got big for him Barça in the third and decisive quarterfinal match against him Joventut. The Catalans overcame the pressure to prevail 94-73 in a clash decided by an explosive KO in the third quarter, when the differences went from seven points to more than twenty in favor of those from Jasikevicius.

The success of Kyle
KuricWith six of six triples and 24 PIRs in just 16 minutes, he was key to knocking out the Badalonese, who showed solidity in many phases but it was enough for them to get lost in that fateful third period to lose their options.

[+] Relive Kuric’s spectacular 3-point streak:







Kyle Kuric's brutal streak from the three line.mp4

It was, therefore, an afternoon of relief for Barça in the return of the public to the Palau, in a limited way (one thousand spectators), and also in the reappearance of a Calathes, somewhat far from his best version after the Final Four ankle injury but, even with that, very important to find the best option in attack (especially Kuric) in this decisive third quarter.

In the Joventut, Tomic highlighted with 17 points and Dimitrijevic with 10, missing more balance with Bassas on the court and fewer defensive errors.

Mate de Pau Gasol, another of Barça's highlights.


Mate de Pau Gasol, another of Barça’s highlights.

Barça came out much more focused than in the second game, with clearer ideas and also success. Triples of Abrines Y Mirotic in the beginning they helped take command after a surprising basket of three starting from Tomic and the Barça he commanded with incomes that did not exceed six in this first act. The Penya tried to maintain his integrity in defense and improved with the entry of Dimitrijevic Y Brodziansky until 25-21 at the end of the quarter.

The Joventut He needed to regain his physical tone to slow down the opponent’s scoring rhythm and, to some extent, he did it in the second quarter. Brodziansky he continued to produce and some steals and counterattacks allowed the Badalonese to remain even with the option of taking the lead (32-31). In this phase, the intervention of Pau was essential. Gasoline than with a smarter game than that of Davies and with less boat he took advantage of the rival interiors to do a lot of damage to the Penya. With their baskets and those of Higgins, that little by little was entering into action, the Barça left to rest with an income of 45-38 after having reached the nine of advantage a few seconds before.

The return of the public generated another atmosphere in the Palau


The return of the public generated another atmosphere in the Palau

The Penya kept the type in the first minutes of the third quarter (49-42) but began to suffer with the intense actions of Davies and, above all, he got lost in defense losing control over Kuric. The alternative defenses with zones behind the basket were not a good solution for the visitors who conceded a partial of 37-14 in this period losing any option to enter the last with possibilities and thus pressure the Barça.

Even so, they did not lower their arms and struggled in the fourth quarter to win it 12-21 thanks to recoveries and some triples from Bassas or Fortune. It was a worthy way to close out a remarkable season for a Joventut who dreamed of another feat but who cannot be asked for more in this playoff.

Data sheet

94. Barça (25 + 20 + 37 + 12): Hanga (2), Higgins (10), Abrines (7), Mirotic (5), Davies (13) -starting team-, Bolmaro (9), Pau Gasol ( 14), Kuric (22), Smits (7), Calathes (5), Oriola (-) and Claver (-).

73. Joventut (21 + 17 + 14 + 21): Bassas (8), Ribas (8), Parra (3), Morgan (2), Tomic (17) -starting team-, Dimitrijevic (10), López-Arostegui (2), Brodziansky (11), Ventura (5) and Birgander (7).

Referees: Conde, Calatrava and Padrós. Without eliminated.

Incidents: third and last game of the Endesa League quarter-final play-off, played at the Palau Blaugrana in front of about 1,000 spectators.

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