CBA – Quarters – Day 2
Valencia basketball
barca
Mirotic shoots in the basket after defeating Webb. Miguel Angel Polo (EFE)
Three times three and I shoot because it’s my turn. Barcelona seemed to play the Goose’s game against Valencia, exceptionally long-range with 18 three-pointers, a record in a playoff game, until then with 17, shared by Baskonia (2010), Barça (2019 and 2021) and Madrid (2022 ). Success in the treble – 18 out of 31 overall – excellent defense and ability to find an answer to the problems he faced in the first meeting of the series catapulted the Barca team to seal the tie in the fast lane. Second heat win and secure entry into the semi-finals, where Unicaja is waiting for them after an equally unsuccessful defeat against Lenovo Tenerife.
Fast, hypersonic, almost the speed of light. Barcelona’s passes were electrifying and the ideal response to the zonal defense Valencia had set up in the first game, a strategy that at times stunned the Barça team but was eventually saved by a nice Mirotic. Jasikevicius’ coaching staff worked hard to shout “Eureka!” to ensure that diligent circulation, first inside and then to get the ball to the wingers, was the best solution. They weren’t wrong because, despite the fact that the opposite intensity was commendable, the Barça players broke up the opponent’s scheme, firing Abrines, Mirotic, Laprovittola and Kuric from the outside edge, shots that saw the gigantic ring. A slap in the face for Valencia, who opened the duel with a powerful mate from Webb but soon saw the threes – 6 of 10 in act one – lower the soufflé, an expressive and resounding 13-26.
That wasn’t the end of the show from the outskirts (two successful shots from Kuric), spiced up by the ever-contagious energy of Jokubaitis, for which Barça left 21 points. Whistles blared in the stands, dissatisfied with a season that saw the team choke on competing in the Euroleague as well, and narrowly qualifying for the Endesa League playoffs. Nothing could emulate Valencia, who were choking from the brink – 1 of 9 until the break and 1 of 17 at the end – and who only found a breath of air in Harper’s race. Also because Barça lost efficiency when shooting, but multiplied the offensive rebound. But Jasikevicius wasn’t content with that either, who put up a fierce fight for Nnaji as he tried to make an impossible alley-oop at the break.
The script didn’t change with the return to the track, three triples from Satoransky and as many from Laprovittola, in addition to the expected one from Mirotic. The Barça party from the suburbs between the discouragement of Valencia and the tension of the fans who marched towards their home before the end of the third quarter. There was no party. And the fact that Barça relaxed in the aftermath relaxed in the defensive exercise to the delight of Hermannsson, who demanded minutes with baskets. Until Jasikevicius stopped rotating and testing, reclaimed the starting five and completed the match, also the record for three-pointers – Abrines equaled it and Tobey broke it – to advance to the semi-finals and send Valencia off the field.
VALENCIA BASKETBALL, 64 – BARCELONA, 87
Valencia Basketball: Jones (4), Harper (12), Pradilla (4), Webb (4) and Dubljevic (8) – starting five –; Alexander (2), Claver (6), Puerto (5), Radebaugh (2), Hermannsson (10) and Evans (7).
Barcelona: Satoransky (14), Laprovittola (11), Abrines (12), Mirotic (13) and Vesely (4) – starting fivers –; Kalinic (6), Kuric (11), Sanli (2), Tobey (5), Sergi Martínez (0), Nnaji (3) and Jokubaitis (6).
Partially: 13-26 13-17 19-24 19-20
Referee: Juan Carlos Garcia, Benjamin Jimenez and Alfonso Olivares. No deletions.
Saint-Louis fountain. About 7,000 spectators.
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