Mirotic puts up another dominant performance as Barca fend off late PAO's surge / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

FC Barcelona (14-2) sneaked past Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (4-12) 85-82 (26-26, 15-23, 27-15, 17-18) and got their eighth straight Turkish Airlines EuroLeague win.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Nikola Mirotic Points 20 Accuracy 6-10 Rebounds 7 Assists 4

Both clubs were struggling to find the ways towards the basket in the last period. Nevertheless, Kyle Kuric nailed a jumper (76-68) with 2:55 left on the clock, reaching his 1000 EuroLeague points milestone.

Ioannis Papapetrou hit a two-pointer on the other end but Nikola Mirotic converted 2+1 play (79-70) with 1:39 to play. Georgios Papagiannis performed a dunk while Nikola Mirotic answered him, hitting a fade-away jumper (81-72).

However, Panathinaikos did not raise the white flag, Nemanja Nedovic drained a trey as Okaro White added two shots from the line (77-81) with 30 seconds to go. Then, PAO stole the ball from Mirotic and Nedovic scored a fast-break dunk (79-81), 20 seconds were left.

Panathinaikos fouled Mirotic who converted both free throws (83-79). Though, Nemanja Nedovic hit a miraculous three from the board (82-83), as the game clock was showing 4 seconds left. Kyle Kuric was fouled and made both shots from the line (85-82). Nemanja Nedovic shot another deep three but, this time, it was off the mark while Barca survived the thriller.

For the winners, Nikola Mirotic played in MVP form one more time, registering 20 points (5/6 2PT, 1/4 3PT, 7/8 FT), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 2 blocks, 8 drawn fouls, and 32 PIR.

"It’s all about the team. It’s all about effort. We know how difficult the situation is with all the injuries. But this is a great opportunity for all the guys - especially the young guys - to step up. It’s a unique situation. We have to do everything we can until those guys get back. But we are winning, which is the most important thing," said Mirotic post-game.

FC Barcelona / Schedule

FC Barcelona Real Madrid93-80 Crvena Zvezda Belgrade FC Barcelona69-76 Panathinaikos Athens FC Barcelona82-85 FC Barcelona UNIKS KazanWed20:00

"In the end, we should be a little bit smarter, that’s the only negative. But I understand my guys. It’s been a long trip and everything. It’s a tough situation that we’re in," commented Sarunas Jasikevicius.

The Lithuanian mastermind also added: "This is what I like the most: the character wins and the next player stepping in for the injured guy. Or the guy who is staying in the hotel in Athens celebrating his birthday all by himself. Hopefully, Nigel [Hayes-Davis] is watching. My guy. Hopefully, we made him proud.

I would like to thank PAO fans for welcoming me at a time like this. I love them just as much as I feel their love. Hopefully, this will never change."

Nemanja Nedovic, who came back on the floor after the ankle sprain, contributed with 18 points (2/4 2PT, 3/9 3PT, 5/6 FT), 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 drawn fouls, and 16 PIR.

Barca arranged an early 10-2 spurt to gain an 8-point advantage. Nicolas Laprovittola was raining treys. Though, PAO did not give up and closed the first period with a 14-5 push on their own to tie the game at 26.

In the second quarter, the hosts continue to push the accelerator pedal and gained a double-digit lead (48-35), as Okaro White and Ioannis Papapetrou fired up their team. Sarunas Jasikevicus' squad managed to end the first half with a slightly better mood, organizing a slender run (41-49).

Nicolas Laprovittola resumed draining shots after the 15-minute break and let his team in front (62-58).

The Blaugranas were missing Cory Higgins, Nick Calathes, Alex Abrines, Sergi Martinez, and Nigel Hayes-Davis.

Barcelona: Nikola Mirotic 20 (7 REB, 4 AST), Nicolas Laprovittola 18, Brandon Davies 12, Rokas Jokubaitis 9 (4 REB, 6 AST), Kyle Kuric 9.

Panathinaikos: Nemanja Nedovic 18 (4 AST), Ioannis Papapetrou 16 (5 REB), Howard Sant-Roos 13 (5 REB), Georgios Papagiannis 11 (8 REB), Okaro White 9 (7 REB).

Highlights

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