Baskonia welcome new year thunderously, snapping Barca's 9-game win streak / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (7-11) eased past FC Barcelona (15-3) 94-75 (20-23, 20-11, 34-20, 20-21) and finished 2021 on a high note. They terminated the Blaugranas tremendous 9-game winning stretch.

Player of the Game EFF 25 Rokas Giedraitis Points 20 Accuracy 7-10 Rebounds 3 Assists 2

After the close first quarter, Baskonia took the reins of the game at the start of the second period. They organized a massive 16-0 run to gain a double-digit lead (36-26). Matthew Costello and Jayson Granger played the perfect stretch.

Even though Barca, led by Nikola Mirotic, reduced their deficit to 4 points before halftime (34-38), the Basques answered in the third. They spurted 11-2 and built the solid 18-point advantage (64-46). Rokas Giedraitis was pouring bucket after bucket and Baskonia were in front by 22 points (74-52).

The Basques' lead reached the apex of 25 points (82-57) in the fourth. Barca could not create another miracle and were forced to declare opponents' superiority.

Rokas Giedraitis was very effective for Baskonia, accumulating 20 points (2/4 2PT, 5/6 3PT, 1/1 FT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 4 drawn fouls, and 25 PIR.

"I feel amazing. Especially after the last [Spanish League] loss to Zaragoza. We had a good reaction. We stepped up. Everybody had a different energy and I’m happy for the whole team," told Geidraitis post-game.

Steven Enoch and Matthew Costello posted the same double-double performances with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Nikola Mirotic was the leader of Barca, registering 19 points (2/4 2PT, 3/4 3PT, 6/7 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 5 drawn fouls, and 20 PIR.

"Congratulations to Baskonia, it was clearly the only team on the court today. It was a little bit embarrassing for me to stand there on the sidelines and to see some of the things, to see how one team is jumping over the heads and running the fast break, and making everything so easy, and we are standing and giving it," commented Jasikevicius.

"Mentally speaking, some players stayed in Barcelona, celebrating the holidays," he finished.

Landry Nnoko was ruled out of tonight's match due to disciplinary reasons, related to the club's internal regulations. Neven Spahija was confirmed with COVID-19. David Gil replaced his colleague.

Barca played without Kyle Kuric, Nick Calathes, Pierre Oriola, and Alex Abrines.

Baskonia: Rokas Giedraitis 20, Wade Baldwin 16 (8 AST), Simone Fontecchio 14 (6 REB), Steven Enoch 13 (10 REB, 25 PIR), Matthew Costello 13 (10 REB), Jayson Granger 10 (4 AST).

Barcelona: Nikola Mirotic 19 (4 REB), Sertac Sanli 13 (5 REB), Nicolas Laprovittola 12 (7 AST), Rokas Jokubaitis 11.

Highlights

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