By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A brilliant start to 2023 for FC Barcelona earning the win, 87-78, versus archrival Real Madrid at WiZink Center Monday night.
Cory Higgins delivered 14 of his 18 points in the fourth period of the exciting Liga Endesa Regular Season Round 14 contest. Argentine Nicolas Laprovittola put in 19 points plus six assists. Nikola Mirotic packed 12 points and Jan Vesely with 11 points wrapped up the winning double-digit scoring efforts.
Apart from the bragging rights stemming from the latest ACB edition of El Clasico, the Catalonia giant matched Madrid’s 11-3 rising to the top of the standings. Mike Tobey and Kyle Kuric were healthy scratches with Sergi Martinez (knee) remaining out for the team coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius.
For the losing side, Walter Tavares ended up with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double to go along with three blocks. Producing yet another long-range highlight, Sergio Llull beat the buzzer at halftime in a five-point showing. Anthony Randolph (knee), Rudy Fernandez (wrist), Adam Hanga (leg), and Carlos Alocen (knee) were sidelined by the team guided by Chus Mateo.
Switching to Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 17, both sides will play at home as Barca takes on Virtus Segafredo Bologna Thursday and the Whites collide with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Friday.
ACB Round 14:
Real Madrid – FC Barcelona 78-87
Valencia – Carplus Fuenlabrada 92-86
Real Betis – Gran Canaria 88-82
Girona – Joventut Badalona 79-66
Coviran Granada – Cazoo Baskonia 84-95
Casademont Zaragoza – Rio Breogan 88-90 OT (79-79)
Monbus Obradoiro – Baxi Manresa 104-99 OT (91-91)
Unicaja – Surne Bilbao 92-79
UCAM Murcia – Lenovo Tenerife 85-64
STANDINGS: Real Madrid 11-3, Cazoo Baskonia 11-3, FC Barcelona 11-3, Lenovo Tenerife 10-4, Unicaja 10-4…