By Alex Molina / amolina@eurohoops.net
The Barça–Coviran Granada matchup, which closed Barça’s week of three consecutive home games, brought together two teams living very different realities.
Xavi Pascual’s side is among the most in-form teams in Europe, while the Andalusian outfit appears to need more than a miracle to avoid relegation.
To make matters worse for the visitors, Coviran Granada lost Matt Thomas earlier in the day, leaving them with an 11-man rotation at the Palau and a result that ultimately felt inevitable.
Barça delivered a dominant 108–71 win, improving their record to 11–4, while Granada dropped to 1–14.
Scoring was well distributed for the home team. Myles Cale finished with 13 points, Darío Brizuela added 12, while Willy Hernangómez, Miles Norris and Joel Parra each contributed 11 points. Youssoupha Fall led the way with 15 points.
For Coviran Granada, Jassiel Pérez was the lone player to reach double figures, scoring 21 points.
Despite a relatively balanced first quarter (26–22), the game was decided very quickly. Barça’s explosive 35–12 run in the second quarter sent the teams into halftime with a commanding 61–34 lead that told the whole story.
Nothing changed after the break, as the second half lacked any real suspense and Xavi Pascual was able to focus more on managing the clock than the scoreboard.
To finish the round, Real Madrid defeated Morabanc Andorra (85-90) and Baskonia won the game against Bàsquet Girona (85-96).
Yesterday, Unicaja de Málaga surprised Valencia Basket and escaped from Roig Arena with the victory.
Liga Endesa Round 15
BAXI Manresa – Río Breogán 105-99
La Laguna Tenerife – Hiopos Lleida 87-94
Surne Bilbao – UCAM Murcia 96-82
Valencia Basket – Unicaja de Málaga 70-76
Casademont Zaragoza – Dreamland Gran Canaria 95-84
San Pablo Burgos – Joventut Badalona 95-98