Barça reached the semifinals of the Endesa League on the fast track by signing the 2-0 in the ‘playoff’ against Gran Canaria this Sunday on Canarian soil, thanks to a winning basket from Cory Higgins on the horn (86-88).
The American player, back in recent weeks after five months of injury, seems to regain his instincts in time to help Barça defend their title. One of the protagonists of the League last year, Higgins silenced the Gran Canaria Arena with a difficult basket in the last possession.
To suffer
those of sarunas jasikevicius they suffered to contain the canaries, with the singing voice for many minutes, but they did not fail in a decisive match as the Lithuanian coach also demands of his team. Thus, Barça will have more time to rest and prepare than its rival in the semifinals: Lenovo Tenerife or Joventut, to decide on Tuesday in the third game.
mirotic (21 points and 9 rebounds) and Laprovittola (17) carried the weight of a Barça incapable of closing up defensively. With Sanli out due to his head injury in the first match, Khalifa Diop took over the paint for the hosts. ‘Saras’ managed to plug in his interiors, with Davies and Smits, in the second quarter.
? And… with this BASKET @chiggins11 gave victory to @FCBbasket at the last second!
? via @MovistarBasket #PlayoffLigaEndesa #ReadyToBreakIt pic.twitter.com/OLEJkhUkiy
– Endesa League (@ACBCOM) May 29, 2022
Ennis led the Canaries ahead at the break (46-41), but after the break it was time to mirotic. Barça worked but did not stop the rival attack, in tow of a ‘Granca’ who saw the third game more than possible with a 76-66 seven from the end. The Hispanic-Montenegrin and Laprovittola changed that panorama.
those of Porfirio Fisac, with the decision not to put in Ennis (26 points) until the last seconds –after Slaughter missed his attempts–, they lost the rudder. Despite a three-pointer from Ennis, the match vanished against Gran Canaria due to Higgins’ suspension. Barça recovers an MVP to seek the final.
DATA SHEET
GRAND CANARY: Albicy (3), Slaughter (4), Brussino (5), Shurna (7) and K. Diop (15) –initial quintet–; Pustovyi (8), Balcerowski (4), Salvó (3), Ennis (26), Stevic (4), Chery (7).
BARÇA: Calathes (5), Laprovittola (17), Exum (4), Mirotic (21) and Smits (6) –initial quintet–; Higgins (12), Martinez (2), Davies (10), Kuric (-), Jokubaitis (7), Oriola (4).
PARTIALS: 18-15, 28-26, 20-22, 20-25.
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REFEREES: Jimenez, Martinez and Mendoza. Eliminated for Shurna fouls.
PAVILION: Gran Canaria Arena.