Still unbeaten at the Palau Blaugrana and Barça are also yet to lose in 2024 after a great 86-78 win against Olympiacos in the EuroLeague. The blaugranes were in control for almost the entire game, with the lead built up in the third enough to survive the Greek charge and seal another win at home in Europe.
Strong start
A big European night at the Palau and Barça came out lively and playing quickly. Jabari Parker scoring three-pointers and 11 of the home side’s first 16 points helped build up a good early lead (16-7, min. 5). The early pace dropped, however, allowing Olympiacos to bring it back to three, but Barça ended the quarter 27-20 up.
The blaugranes were hoovering up offensive rebounds at one point in the second, but the Greeks managed to claw their way into the lead by the end through good shooting percentagea (40-41, min. 19). All the same, Joel Parra stepped up again after the last game’s exploits to score a three-pointer to give Barça a three point lead at the break (44-41).
Third quarter lead proves enough
Barça were straight back at it in the third, Parker continued to score and was helped by Satoransky, Brizuela and Kalinic, and the blaugranes were leading 56-47 after 24 minutes. Defensively solid and strong in attack, the blaugranes opened up a big lead (69-54, min. 27), thanks in no small part to Willy Hernangómez.
The score was 75-63 at the start of the final quarter and this time it was Olympiacos who went through the gears, gradually bringing it back to 77-73 (min. 34). From then on it was pretty much nip and tuck due to errors from both sides, before Kalinic and Satoransky scored the points to confirm another win at the Palau Blaugrana in the final minute.
GAME STATS
Barça, 86
Olympiacos, 78
Barça: Satoransky (13), Brizuela (4), Kalinic (13), Parker (21), Vesely (8) – starting five – Jokubaitis (4), Hernangómez (16), Da Silva (0), Parra (7), Paulí (0), Sarr (-), Jakucionis (-)
Olympiacos: Walkup (8), Canaan (8), Fall (8), Papanikolaou (0), Peters (22) – starting five – Milutinov (4), Larentzakis (3), Sikma (0), Williams-Goss (12), McKissic (7), Brazdeikis (6), Petrusev (-)
Quarters: 27-20, 17-21 // 31-22, 11-15
Referees: Matej Boltauzer, Milivoje Jovčić, Jakub Zamojski
