By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
Nicolas Laprovittola drained a pair of free throws with six seconds to play that handed Barcelona the 86 – 85 win over archrival Real Madrid in Game 2 of the Spanish ACB League Finals. The best-of-five series now moves to Madrid.
Sergio Llull, that had given Real an 84 – 85 lead from the free-throw line, tried to win the game with one of his classic mandarinas but air-balled the shot under pressure by Nikola Mirotic. The Blancos were up 74 – 80 with 2:08 to play after a 3-15 run through seven minutes in the fourth period.
Mirotic had 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists for Barcelona in what could be his last home game with the team. He also made a 3-pointer for the 77 – 80 after Real went ahead by six and hit two free throws to make it 84 – 83 following a big triple by Sertac Sanli.
With this game being potentially the last of Mirotic with Barcelona on their home court, the fans demonstrated their love for the player with a standing ovation after the end of the game.
As he said after the game about his future with Barcelona and his expected release: “From what I know, there is no chance to continue. It’s not up to me and I have no control of that”.
Mario Hezonja led Real Madrid with 18 points while Llull finished with 15 points, Edy Tavares posted 13 points plus nine rebounds before he was fouled out when Laprovittola attacked him on his way to the rim to win the game’s decisive free throws.
Jan Vesely contributed 18 points to Barcelona’s win, scoring 15 in the first half.