Asvel has recorded their second consecutive win against Spanish teams in the EuroLeague. They defeated an uninspired Barcelona 76:72.
The host started the game brilliantly. They played evenly with Roger Grimau’s team for most of the first quarter, then went on a 6-0 run through Jackson, Lauvergne, and Luwawu-Cabarrot. After a score by the French center, it was 24:17, and Nnaji made one of two free throws, making it 24:18 after the first 10 minutes.
Once again, Pierric Poupet’s team started the second quarter brilliantly. The players of the French team found Yousoupha Fall under the basket multiple times. The guests from Catalonia then made their own run and finally took the lead after Jan Vesely’s three-pointer. Oriol Pauli scored to make it 36:34, then Nnaji distributed free throws again. The young Spaniard then hit a three-pointer, and Ricky Rubio creatively scored off the glass. At halftime, it was 42:38 for the guests.
The team from Villeurbanne started the second half with two three-pointers. James Nnaji scored the first points of the second quarter for “Barca”. Joel Parra then hit a three-pointer, but the hosts refused to give up, scoring five straight points through David Lighty. It was back-and-forth until the end of the quarter, and we didn’t see much separation. After 30 minutes of basketball, it was tied at 57:57.