Laprovittola's career performance carries Barcelona past ASVEL / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Romain Biard/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Romain Biard/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

After two straight losses at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague a few weeks ago, FC Barcelona (9-2) are looking strong again, winning their third straight contest.

Player of the Game EFF 28 Nicolas Laprovittola Points 25 Accuracy 8-13 Rebounds 7 Assists 2

This time, Nicolas Laprovittola's career-best performance in the EuroLeague helped Barca take care of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (6-5) 80-60 (19-9, 12-19, 31-19, 18-13), handing the French squad their third straight loss.

ASVEL had a slight lead at the start of the game (9-7), but Barcelona closed the first quarter out with a 12-0 run, capped off by a last-second shot by Rokas Jokubaitis (19-9).

Sarunas Jasikevicius' squad continued to rally in the second, gaining a commanding 15-point advantage (24-9), but ASVEL responded with a 10-0 run of their own to cut the deficit to five (19-24). That's when Nicolas Laprovittola started heating up, scoring five quick points.

Eight straight points by Nikola Mirotic opened the third quarter for the visitors. Laprovittola added two back-to-back 3-pointer to give Barcelona a substantial advantage (45-33). They closed the quarter on a 9-0 run and were up by 15 before the final period (62-47).

Another eight consecutive points by Laprovittola put Barca up by 21, breaking ASVEL's hopes for victory. The Spanish squad maintained their advantage, winning by 20.

Nicolas Laprovittola recorded his EuroLeague career-high in points, rebounds, and 3-pointers. He finished with 25 points (1/1 2PT, 7/12 3PT, 2/2 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, and 28 PIR.

"I think the team played very well. We won by 20 points in a tough arena," Laprovittola said. "No matter the injuries, and who is on the court, we have to stick together. We expected a lot from this week. The game against CSKA was crazy, really crazy. Tonight, we expected physicality and a good team with a lot of talent. I think we played really well."

His previous personal records were 19 points, 5 threes, and 5 rebounds.

Only Elie Okobo scored in double figures for ASVEL, scoring 17 points (4/12 2PT, 2/2 3PT, 3/3 FT). Chris Jones was the most efficient player for ASVEL, ending with 9 points (4/10 2PT, 0/1 3PT, 1/2 FT), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, and 15 PIR.

Jasikevicius had some praise for his team post-game: "Overall, when we found the solidness that we played for the most part of the second half, it was nice to watch post-game. And then, when you find a player who is so hot, like Laprovittola today, it is nice to see. We are taking wins. At this point of the season, the most important thing is to keep improving."

Barcelona: Nicolas Laprovittola 25 (7 REB, 7/12 3PT), Nikola Mirotic 15, Brandon Davies 8, Sertac Sanli 8 (5 REB), Rokas Jokubaitis 8 (5 AST).

ASVEL: Elie Okobo 17, Chris Jones 9 (6 REB), Kostas Antetokounmpo 8, William Howard 7 (6 REB), Charles Kahudi 6, James Gist 6.

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