What was to be the fifth Clásico of the season turned into a memorable victory for Unicaja. The rebellion of the people of Malaga burned all the pools. Unicaja resisted, survived the pushes from Barça, led the extra time alive and there Darío Brizuela (27 points) and Perry (22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists) were the executors of the Catalans who left the tournament with a major failure.
Very few teams are capable of dwarfing the pitch with their defense like the best Barça does. If to that work behind is added a tiresome rhythm in attack, the wear and tear for the rival becomes difficult to process. The problem for Barcelona is that against Unicaja they did not apply it for enough minutes. He launched the first volley with a 7-0 run after a balanced first quarter. It was with a defense that took up a lot of the field and if someone from Unicaja dared to get around it, Nnaji would appear threatening. The 18-year-old Nigerian is not Tavares, but his physical presence on the scaffolding of his 2.11 is impressive. With him on the track, it was how Barcelona (34-21) demarcated. Unicaja had resisted with its usual joy and the talent of Perry and Brizuela, as if it were an announcement of what was to come.
With Barça at an unattainable physical level, it was about moving the ball judiciously and at breakneck speed to find decent shooting positions. A couple of three-pointers from Kalinoski and the inside presence of Kravish allowed the Malaga team to continue on their feet with half a game to go. But it took more so that the culés felt tickled. Ibón Navarro opted for the foreign team partner, Díaz-Brizuela. It was a Dario against Barça. The explosive version of the shooting guard and that of his teammate Perry helped the Andalusians reach the last quarter alive and give a second warning of what was to come.
Ibón Navarro opted for the two to share the track in the decisive section to increase the threat to the Barça defence. The joint formula did not work. Separately yes. The American of Montenegrin origin prevented Barça from escaping again. The Gipuzkoan shooting guard prolonged the fight until the last minute (74-71). And the madness came with a triple by Osetkowski that left everything to be decided in the final minute (74-74). Vesely made two free throws. Brizuela too. And Barça had the last possession to avoid extension. The double block for Higgins found no prize. And the game started again, but it did so with Perry and Brizuela unchained. At Barça Mirotic only appeared at the beginning. The Unicaja rebellion aborted the Clásico.
87. Barcelona (21+20+14+21+11): Satoransky (11), Laprovittola (12), Kalinic (3), Mirotic (15) and Vesely (5) – the starting quintet – Jokubaitis (7), Sanli (4), Abrines (8), Tobey (6), Higgins (6). 10), Martinez (0) and Nnaji (4).
89. Unicaja (20+14+16+26+13): Perry (22), Carter (3), Barreiro (0), Ejim (0) and Kravish (10) -starting five- Díaz (2), Brizuela (27), Thomas (5), Osetkowski (5), Kalinoski ( 12) and Dedovic (0).
Referees: Peruga, Calatrava and Martinez. Eliminated Díaz and technique to the Unicaja bench.
Incidences: 9,200 spectators at the Badalona Olympic Stadium. Second match corresponding to the quarterfinals.
King’s Cup Program
Quarter finals
A. Real Madrid, 86-Valencia Basket, 85
B. Barcelona, 87-Unicaja, 89
C. Lenovo Tenerife-Gran Canaria (Friday 17, 18:30)
Mr. Cazoo Baskonia-Joventut (Friday 17, 9:30 p.m.)
Semifinals (Saturday 18)
Real Madrid-Unicaja (18:30)
Winner C-Winner D (21:30)
Final (domingo 19, 19:00)