Valencia slips by Barca in close game

Spanish Liga Endesa Round 18 – Valencia Basket ended FC Regal Barcelona’s three-game winnings streak at home, widening the gap between both teams. Valencia sits securely in second place with a 16-2 record, while former third-placed Barca slides to fourth spot, now behind Unicaja Malaga. It was arguably the most important game of the weekend as the top teams clashed. Unicaja, Barca and Gran Canaria now have identical 12-6 records. CAI Zaragoza, at 10-8, is just outside of the Top 5 but is still within striking distance.

Valencia Basket vs. FC Regal Barcelona, 95-93

The hosts were caught off guard by Barca’s first quarter 9-0 run. A quick time out got Valencia back on track. Barcelona’s defense allowed them to finish off the first period with a six-point lead. Barca held the home squad to score just 18 points in the second frame, while they executed well and sealed the first half ahead 51-38.

The third frame saw a drastic turnaround. Omain Sato and Oliver Lafayette went on a tear for the Valencia and led the charge, powering a 33-16 rally and the visitors suddenly found themselves trailing by four and looking for answers. The fourth and final quarter was about Valencia capitalizing on the momentum they built and repelled Barca’s attempt at a comeback. Valencia took to the offensive glass and to edge out their opponents for the two-point win.

Valencia’s Bojan Dubljevic led all scorers with 26 points and also added seven boards for the game. Oliver Lafayette sank four shots from downtown en route to 22 points of his own, while involving teammates in the action with seven assists. Romain Sato was the only other player to hit double figures for Valencia with 18.

All of Barcelona’s starters scored in double digits in what was a balanced offensive effort on their end. Brad Oleson had a team-high 18 points as he was perfect from beyond the arc, sinking all of his five attempts from deep. Bostjan Nachbar added 17, while Ante Tomic chipped 15 points of his own.

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Here are the results of the rest of the games in the round:

Estudiantes Madrid vs. Unicaja Malaga, 84-85

CAI Zaragoza vs. Bilbao Basket, 88-72

Rio Natura Monbus Obradorio CAB vs. CB Canarias Tenerife, 84-76

FIATC Joventut Badalona vs. La Bruixa d’Or, 93-72

Gran Canaria 2014 vs. Laboral Kutxa, 84-81

Blancos de Rueda Valladolid vs. Real Madrid, 83-105

Fuenlabrada vs. UCAM Murcia, 87-84

Cajasol Sevilla vs. Lagun Aro Gipuzkoa, 80-59