Barca's ball circulation was key
FC Barcelona grabbed its 21st win of the season by downing Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 80-89 in the Serbian capital in Round 31. Sharing the ball better than its opponent was arguably the biggest key to this game.
Barca finished the game with 25 assists - 1 shy of its best mark this season. It previously dished 26 assists in a 93-74 home win against Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 26. On the other hand, Partizan finished the game with just 5 assists, the lowest mark for any team in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. It is also Partizan's worst assist mark in the EuroLeague since getting 5 against Virtus Rome on March 11, 2009.
Three-pointers and rebounds were also a big part of Barca's success at Stark Arena. The visitors outrebounded Partizan 24-34. Defensive rebounds made the difference: Barca pulled down 26 and Partizan only grabbed 15. Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius's team buried 11-of-18 three-pointers. Its shooting percentage (61.1% 3FG) is the third-best mark in the EuroLeague in the present campaign and the club's season-high. Partizan made 6-of-19 three-pointers (31.6% 3FG).