Barcelona need Laprovittola, explosive second half to overtake Manresa / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Zuma Press - Scanpix Credit Zuma Press - Scanpix

FC Barcelona took the Catalan duel against Baxi Manresa by 94-80 (15-21, 18-19, 30-16, 31-24) in a game in which the locals dominated until the middle of the third quarter, but Nicolas Laprovittola's surge initiated a comeback that put the contest at rest.

Points this season

49%81,4Points made:81,4Accuracy:49,1%Place in standings:3Record max:111Record min:52Best scorer:Nikola MiroticTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Barcelona, as the ACB regular season winners, will face Gran Canaria in the first round of the playoffs in a best-of-five series, while 7th-placed Manresa will take on second-spotted Real Madrid.

Manresa were up 33-23 midway through the second quarter, but Barca managed to reduce the deficit to seven points.

The third period belonged to Laprovittola, who exploded with 16 points, giving his team a seven-point lead. A partial score of 4-12 in the last quarter was enough for Sarunas Jasikevicius' side to break the game open (60-75) and finish off their opponents.

Although Nicolas Laprovittola scored 20 points and was Barca's leading man, Dante Exum came back from injury to add 13 points on 5/8 from the field, plus 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 20 minutes of action.

Nick Calathes neared a triple-double with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, while Nikola Mirotic dropped 12.

FC Barcelona: Nicolas Laprovittola 20 (4/7 FG, 9/9 FT), Dante Exum 13 (5/8 FG, 2/2 FT, 2 AST), Nikola Mirotic 12 (4 REB), Rokas Jokubaitis 11 (6 REB, 6 AST), Nick Calathes 8 (4/9 FG, 9 REB, 8 AST, 4 TO).

Manresa: Chima Moneke 14 (5/12 FG, 7 REB), Juampi Vaulet 11, Brancou Badio 11, Yakuba Sima 10.

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