Its new Big Three of Codi Miller-McIntyre, Markus Howard and Chima Moneke were all in fine form at Buesa Arena in Round 8.
Baskonia 'put it together' in record win over Barcelona
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Regular Season
Round 8 of 34
Regular Season
Baskonia Vitoria-GasteizBKN
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FC BarcelonaBAR
Overview
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Three games under head coach Dusko Ivanovic, three wins for Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz. But after two last-second victories, Coach Ivanovic's squad dismissed FC Barcelona with ease in Round 8 on Wednesday night, triumphing 94-71 to improve to 4-4 on the season.
It was Baskonia's largest-ever win over Barcelona and it could have been even more convincing, because the hosts held a 30-point margin with 2 minutes to go. In the end, Baskonia had to make do with a 23-point win, which certainly led to a celebratory atmosphere at Buesa Arena afterward.
"I think we have connected and were firing on all cylinders," Baskonia guard Markus Howard said after this win.
"Tonight, I thought we were great from start to finish. We had a great plan and executed."
Plenty of scoring for Baskonia
Howard led all scorers with a season-high 26 points, while Codi Miller-McIntyre also had the best game of his rookie EuroLeague season, with 20 points and 7 assists. Chima Moneke scored 19 points off the bench in a resounding victory.
In fact, the combined 65 points scored by Baskonia's trio is almost as much as the entire Barcelona team. With the likes of Howard, Miller-McIntyre and Moneke playing like this, and Baskonia having won three games on the bounce under Coach Ivanovic, the only way is up for the Spanish side.
"When you have three guys who play like [they did] tonight, it is easy to play,” Ivanovic said, although he refused to take the credit or celebrate the win too much.
"Tonight was good, but we will see [what happens in] the next game. It is a long [season]."
However, it might be as simple as a matter of belief and confidence, as Ivanovic has breathed life into Baskonia since returning after Round 5.
"Leading up to the game, Coach was telling us if our mindset and attitude is right, we can beat anybody,” Howard explained. "We really put it together."
The only down period of the game for Baskonia was the early part of the third quarter, when they allowed Barcelona a 5-15 run. So, a 26-point halftime lead was cut to 16.
Still, it was a big cushion and after an Ivanovic-called timeout, Baskonia responded and th visitors never came closer.
Next on the menu for Baskonia will be a road game against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, another team that changed coaches already this season, and has a changed energy about them. It will also be a chance for Baskonia get to a winning record for the first time this season.