Barcelona come to Murcia at the end of a punishing week, and with only one natural centre. Murcia have had a full week at home to prepare. That gap in rest and size is what this match turns on more than names or last season's playoff.
Barcelona lost in Dubai after a bad second quarter, won in Istanbul, and then had to fly across to Murcia, so this is their third game in about six days. Nebo, Makoundou and Evbuomwan are all injured, which leaves Balcerowski as the only real centre. Parra and Nkamhoua have been filling in up front.
Murcia's opening loss at Girona looked worse than it was. It came on the road, and they were outscored 34-16 at the free-throw line. Sito Alonso's side beat Barcelona in both regular-season meetings last year, including a one-point win in this building.
This Barcelona team also has eleven new faces and is still working out its rotation. Over a full home game, Murcia's intensity against a short, travel-worn frontcourt is the matchup that interests me.
