By Alex Molina/ info@eurohoops.net
FC Barcelona and Hapoel Tel Aviv played one of those (many) games that feels like more than a game: with less than ten games remaining and between two teams that will fight for a spot in the playoffs.
As expected, the game was close until the end, but Hapoel Tel Aviv controlled the game throughout the 40 minutes to defeat Barça 75-80.
The Israeli team is now 18-11, while FC Barcelona falls to 17-14.
Dan Oturu (22 points) and Elijah Bryant (21 p.) were nearly unstoppable, leading the away team. Kevin Punter and Will Clyburn, finished the game as Barça’s top scorers with 17 and 15 points.
Despite losing the first quarter 26-19, Hapoel took control of the game very early. Itoudis’ team was already leading by halftime (40-46) and the lead grew up to ten points. Even though Barça never gave up, Hapoel controlled the game and gave no option to the Catalan team, that now has four defeats in a row in Euroleague.