Abrines and Mirotic combine for 10 triples as dominant Barca clinch the first place / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Rodolfo Molina - Getty Images Credit Rodolfo Molina - Getty Images

League-leading FC Barcelona (21-5) got their seventh straight home win, cruising past Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (9-15) 88-67 (25-21, 17-13, 28-15, 18-18).

Player of the Game EFF 20 Nikola Mirotic Points 18 Accuracy 5-6 Rebounds 0 Assists 1

Moreover, with this victory, Barca secured the first spot in the regular EuroLeague season.

Alex Abrines and Nikola Mirotic-powered Barca jumped out to a 16-5 start. The Catalans' lead reached 12 points (25-13) in the first but Achille Polonara quickly returned Fenerbahce within 4 points (21-25).

A similar scenario repeated in the second period. Barca ran away from their opponents by creating a 13-point advantage (40-27), however, the Turkish powerhouse found its answers. Fener arranged a 7-0 spurt and had minus 6 (34-40). Nick Calathes finished the first half with a two-point basket and Sarunas Jasikevicus' men were up by 8 (42-34).

Spaniards changed the game completely in the third tally. Alex Abrines, Nikola Mirotic, and Kyle Kuric sank three triples in a row to start the second half with a 9-0 push. The Blaugranas were leading by 17 (51-34), while their advantage grew up to 22 quickly (58-36).

Even though Fenerbahce reduced the margin between the teams to 14 points (49-63), Barca pushed the gas pedal once more. Dante Exum, Brandon Davies, and Nigel Hayes-Davis contributed with the baskets and closed the third quarter with a 7-0 run (70-49).

The 21-point advantage at the start of the last period was more than enough for Barcelona to get a comfortable W.

The Catalans shot the ball perfectly from beyond the arc. They made 16 threes in 27 tries (59.3%). Abrines connected 6 shots from deep, while Mirotic drained 4 of them.

Both players finished the duel with 18 points on their resumes.

"Obviously, we knew we had a home-court [advantage] for a couple of games now but it doesn't guarantee you anything. Anybody who will come in the eighth spot will be very good. We have experience from last year, and the most important thing is to stay healthy and to keep gearing up for the playoffs in good shape," Sarunas Jasikevicius said post-game.

Marko Guduric stood out in Fener, registering 15 points (4/9 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 1/1 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 turnovers, and 11 PIR.

Nando De Colo missed the game for the Turkish squad, while Rokas Jokubaitis was out for Barca.

Barcelona: Nikola Mirotic 18 (20 PIR), Alex Abrines 18, Michael Caicedo 7, Nigel Hayes-Davis 7 (5 REB), Nicolas Laprovittola 7.

Fenerbahce: Marko Guduric 15 (5 REB), Ismet Akpinar 11, Dyshawn Pierre 8, Jan Vesely 8.

Highlights

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