Thriller in Istanbul: last-second circus shot by Mirotic wins it for Barcelona / News - Basketnews.com

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FC Barcelona (6-0) continue their winning streak by winning a stunning match against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2-4) on their home floor 76-74 (15-20, 20-9, 14-19, 27-26).

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An unsportsmanlike foul by Jan Vesely turned into five points to help Barcelona gain a four-point lead with 1:51 remaining (70-66). Pierria Henry answered with a 3-pointer, but Barcelona responded with four straight free throws to keep the hosts at bay (74-69).

However, Vesely scored three straight points, and Fenerbahce had a chance to take tie the game or take the lead with 20 seconds to go. Their possession ended with a thunderous slam from Devin Booker, and the match was tied at 74.

But then, the player that struggled all night, Nikola Mirotic, converted a last-second circus shot to win it for Barcelona.

Mirotic ended with 8 points (2/3 2PT, 0/6 3PT, 4/6 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 turnovers, and 9 PIR.

"I was trying to find the rhythm today," Mirotic admitted after the game. "Honestly, I didn't feel great, especially offensively. I couldn't make the shots I usually make, but I was trying to do some different things. We knew it was going to be a really difficult game, so in the end, Coach Saras made a great timeout play."

"They looked for me, and with a little luck, in the end, I was able to score. So I am very happy that we won the game, even though we didn't play our best game, best performance. But the win is the win," Mirotic added.

Vesely dominated in the first half, scoring 13 points, but a balanced effort on offense and lockdown defense by Barcelona allowed them to enjoy a six-point lead at halftime (35-29).

Fenerbahce stayed within striking distance in the final period. Cory Higgins converted two straight 3-pointers, but Guduric answered with a three of his own to cut Barca's lead to three (58-61).

Player of the Game EFF 20 Brandon Davies Points 16 Accuracy 7-9 Rebounds 3 Assists 2

Marko Guduric hit a stunning 3-pointer with the foul to give Fenerbahce a one-point advantage with 3:33 remaining (62-61). But Brandon Davies responded with a three of his own, and Barca were back in front (64-62).

Brandon Davies led Barcelona with 16 points (6/8 2PT, 1/1 3PT, 1/3 FT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 3 turnovers, and 20 PIR.

"I think we really picked up after the first quarter, and we were pretty good," said Jasikevicius, who got his 100th win as a EuroLeague coach. "And then we made a lot of childish mistakes, like always, you know. But again, our calendar is crazy. The guys are not fresh, exactly."

"The biggest respect to them for pulling it out, and you know, this is the most we can do right now, just play games and try to learn from the games.

No time for practice, just traveling, traveling, traveling. [As for this last play], Nico, what to say? He has this quality to play one-on-one in the post. He has some moves, and you know, he got the job done," the Lithuanian coach added.

Jan Vesely finished with 24 points (10/14 2PT, 4/6 FT), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, and 29 PIR.

Barcelona: Cory Higgins 18, Brandon Davies 16, Nick Calathes 11 (7 AST), Nikola Mirotic 8 (7 REB), Rolands Smits 8 (8 REB), Nigel Hayes-Davis 6.

Fenerbahce: Jan Vesely 24 (8 REB), Marko Guduric 17, Devin Booker 8, Dyshawn Pierre 7, Sehmus Hazer 5.

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