Barça was reunited with its best version to get into the Final Four.

And that had a lot to do with Pau Gasol's most complete game since his return to Palau Blaugrana.

Those of Jasikevicius, this time, did put the batteries

in defense

.

And, incidentally, they found the effectiveness in attack that they missed so much in the series, with Higgins and Calathes as the most outstanding, to prevail over Zenit [Narration and statistics: 79-53].

Higgins and, again, Davies, took the lead in the first ten minutes for a group that also featured a touch of a tremendously combative Mirotic in the rear and eager to shine, but with little success. On the visiting side, Pangos, of course, was the great argument to try to tighten things up. Although, in this case, their attacks crashed on too many occasions in the iron Barcelona wall.

The set that reached the end of the first quarter (23-14) spoke very clearly of Jasikevicius's plan. Bolmaro and the always reliable good manners of Pau Gasol were, meanwhile, the key factor in the second period. Both, with the triples of a Kuric who cannot be lost sight of for a moment, decisively contributed to Barça opening a first great gap of 16 points (36-20) that, despite Poythress's arreón, would become on a 43-30 to get to rest. Pangos, drowned out by the rival defense, barely found space to show his talent.

At the restart, Jasikevicius' plans seemed to be complicated by personal thirds from Davies and Mirotic. Between Calathes and Pau Gasol, however, they managed to keep their distances and, with the occasional collaboration of Davies and Kuric, shoot their team up to 23 points ahead (57-34) just over two minutes from the end of the third quarter that, between Fridzon and Baron, they left in a 57-39 that did not prevent Barça from reaching the last period with their homework practically done.

The rent, tremendously comfortable, allowed Barça to live apparently calm the last minutes.

But that did not detract one iota of intensity.

Nor, neither, their desire to maintain or increase the gap.

It did not matter that Zenit will try to resist tooth and nail to leave the game.

The Catalans, finally back in the colorful favorite outfit they have worn throughout the Euroleague, clinched their pass to the final with a 79-53 win.

And, incidentally, his serious options to win the title.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Pau Gasol

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