Barcelona and Madrid revive in Europe

It was once again a night of homesickness at the Palau after the one experienced in the previous European match against Milano, when Mirotic was given a loving welcome and an even better farewell. On this occasion, the hug went to coach Jasikevicius – a short-handed figure on the bench as a Barça player who now directs Fenerbahçe – who gave a heartfelt touch to his chest and had no choice but to return the applause at the length of the match. the ovation But for the one who bounced the orange ball, longing gave way to admiration for Punter, who, after a dismal month, was once again a sting without a possible recipe that brought back the smile to Barça (90-63) after too many disappointments. The same thing happened in the White House, which was able to twist Paris, the leader of the Euroleague (85-96), thanks to the hands of Campazzo and Hezonja.

Barça started off on lead feet, trying to extend their possessions longer than usual and choosing their shots, as if the latest blows had taken away their gallantry. Or, also, brought restraint. Although Punter opened the curtain with two jump shots, the rest shared the ball and the attempts, now Anderson, then Parker and later Satoransky to score his triple. Not so much Vesely, who was struggling with his aim, but, leader as he is, he fought hard in defense to impose his law under the hoop. Although Fenerbahçe is not handicapped, it is a team with many points in its hands, like Hayes-Davies or Baldwin, even Colson and Hall from the perimeter. Although none of them shook Barça, who, for once, played as a team and the same, to the point that they had a very solid prologue (20-12).

The joy did not last long at Can Barça. Especially because the second unit once again clarified that it does not have much scoring capacity and because with Hernangómez on the court the defense weakens, since the advantage went from 10 points to two in a flash, at which time Peñarroya rescued the starting five . Punter continued to be sweet, Anderson too – from less to more during the season – and Fenerbahçe suffered with Baldwin’s muscle injury, the compass and the rudder of the team. Eden for Barça, who left at the interval with their homework done (44-37). There remained the exam, the one that I had failed so many times in the course.

Fenerbahçe made it easy for them, as they did not digest Baldwin’s loss – we must add Wilbekin’s loss – and got tangled up with shots that did not touch the rim, passes to nothing and little consistency in the inside game. In the opposite ring, however, Parker warmed up the wrist and Punter supported him with two other drivers from the outside area. He was the abrasive Punter, the one who saw the basket as an 11-a-side soccer goal, the one who played everything and didn’t miss a single one. 65-53 in the absence of the last chapter. And, it was time, Barça arrived and did not disconnect, concerned about the defensive transition, about not losing what they had gained. With a sweet Punter (25 points), the team reconciled itself with the victory to the chagrin of Fenerbahçe, which suffered the domino effect of Baldwin’s injury. Something similar to what happened in Paris, which did not have TJ Shorts, with a feverish process, while Madrid attacked the French capital.

The white team started like a shot, spurred on by Campazzo and Hezonja, a quarter with 26 points that disarmed Paris, uncomfortable because they could not get away with dizzying attacks. Although he was able to recover in the second act (48-52) thanks to Hifi’s points, he noticed the absence of Shorts too much. Wings for Musa to once again boost Madrid, which ended as it began, with Campazzo and Hezonja setting the pace. A victory that finally strengthens Madrid, which is still two wins away from the play-in frontier.