FC Barcelona struck a big blow to Panathinaikos OPAP Athens’ hopes of climbing into the top four with a powerful 81-92 comeback victory at the OAKA. Panathinaikos started strong and never trailed in the first half, leading 45-38 at the break, and was briefly up by double digits in the third quarter. But Barcelona rallied towards the end of the third, took its first lead early in the fourth and didn’t look back from that moment. Nikola Mirotic led the winners with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Cory Higgins added 17 points, Malcolm Delaney scored 15 and Alex Abrines netted 13 for the Spanish side. Nick Calathes recorded a double-double of 10 points and 11 assists, while Georgios Papagiannis led the home team’s scoring with 14 points. Jimmer Fredette netted 13 points and Ioannis Papapetrou scored 12 in defeat. The home team drops to 14-11 while Barcelona stays in second place at 19-6.
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