Shane Larkin
has specialized in authentic games against Barça.
The point guard, once again, was tremendously decisive (23 points, 37 valuation) to ensure that Efes inflicted the fourth defeat in Europe on the Catalans.
And incidentally, he eclipsed a
Nikola Mirotic
(18 points, 24 PIR) and a
Nick Calathes
who failed to lift another grim afternoon.
The second consecutive setback in a league where CSKA's leadership slips a bit further.
[Narration and statistics (86-79)]
Barça started apparently still stung in their pride by the setback on Friday against Maccabi.
The first quarter, despite everything, was a round trip duel in which higher and higher sets were exchanged.
Just when the visitors seemed to take off, with a Mirotic and Calathes specially intoned, it was Efes who managed to tighten things up again to leave the first stake at 18-24.
Ergin Ataman's
men
redoubled their efforts on defense and found Larkin's electrifying game and
Krunoslav Simon's
3-pointers
the springboard to take the lead.
At times, the clouds seemed to appear again for the Barcelona fans.
Then, however, it was the figure of
Corey Higgins
who emerged to finally send the game to rest with everything even (43-43).
And, in this case, with better sensations for a Barça which, in some phases, found it too difficult to resolve their attacks.
Partial of 22-5
A good feeling that, despite everything, was a mirage.
The Catalans again accused a worrying inability to convert their attacks into points in the first half of the third quarter.
And Efes, with an increasingly intoned Larkin, got 18 points up (68-50) after a 22-5 run in which the triples of Ohio point guard Simon and
Adrien Moerman
made the
score
bigger and bigger. wound.
Barça, unknown in both offensive and defensive tasks, could only put on a little makeup (68-54) to stand in a final period where Efes had all the aces in hand.
However, the locals had their pulse trembled a bit at the most inopportune moment.
And, although Barça initially did not seem able to take advantage of that circumstance to get back into the game, they ended up finding a way to tighten things up a bit.
A reaction that, however, came too late to thwart Larkin's umpteenth display.
On Sunday, visit Real Madrid at the ACB.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more
Nikola Mirotic
Euroleague
sports
basketball
Euroleague A rocky Maccabi surprises at the Palau
Euroleague 2020 - 2021 Barça gets back on track against a fierce Zalgiris (62-73)
Euroleague 2020 - 2021The bottom of the Euroleague dismantles Barça's streak
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