Nikola Mirotic's onslaught, video review rescue Barca against Murcia / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com-SCANPIX Credit ZUMAPRESS.com-SCANPIX

FC Barcelona (20-5) slipped by UCAM Murcia (13-13) 89-87 (16-27, 26-19, 22-14, 25-27) and recovered after the latest ACB loss in the Catalan derby.

Barca had a sluggish start to the game, being down by 17 in the first quarter (8-25). Powered by Nikola Mirotic, the Catalans started to climb out of the pit. They organized a 10-0 spurt at the start of the second period and cut their deficit to only one point (28-29).

The game went close with Murcia having a slim lead until the end of the third quarter. Then Barca retook game control in their hands, leading the way till the match ended.

After Nigel Hayes-Davis' two-point basket, Sarunas Jasikevicius' men were up by four (86-82) with 37 seconds to play. Thad McFadden nailed a free throw, while Isaiah Taylor added another two shots from the line, and Barca led by minimal (86-85) with 10 seconds on the clock.

Dante Exum converted both of his free throws and Jordan Davis connected from deep on the other end. However, after the video review, it was decided that the player stepped the line and scored two points instead of three (87-88).

Nikola Mirotic was fouled with 1 second to go in the match. He made the first free throw, missed the second one intentionally, and Barca celebrated the hard-fought win.

Mirotic was amazing for Barca, registering 30 points (6/8 2PT, 2/3 3PT, 12/14 FT), 9 rebounds, and 39 PIR.

Barcelona: Nikola Mirotic 30 (9 REB), Nicolas Laprovttola 17, Dante Exum 15 (8 REB).

Murcia: Isaiah Taylor 25, Jordan Davis 17, James Webb 13, Augusto Lima 11 (6 REB).

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