Porto beat Sporting 91-89 in the match of the ninth round of the Portuguese Basketball League. The lions lost their unbeaten status in the championship and the one who benefits the most from the result is Benfica who, if they confirm their favoritism and beat Póvoa, will remain in the isolated lead of the regular season.
In a championship in which there is a limited number of teams that are superior to the rest, the matches between the teams that lead the standings are especially relevant. The duel between Porto and Sporting was physically demanding. A lot of contact was observed, with players falling to the ground at the Dragão Arena on several occasions. IT IS the ideal portrait of the struggle that took place????????
Having released Ivica Radic and dealing with the absence of Travante Williams, Sporting were presenting themselves with a short rotation. The lions coach, Pedro Nuno, told with only five players on the benchincluding two youngsters, João Troni and Gil Jardim, who are taking their first steps in high-level basketball.
Porto started with all their potential, but that did not prevent Sporting from getting better. The first period was productive for both teams, with high shooting percentages reflected in the number of points scored. The Verdiblanco team made the difference in terms of outside shooting, achieving notable five triples in as many attempts???????? Subsequently, the dragons lost the ball several times without achieving shots to the basketwhich was reflected in the unfavorable result of 29-25 at the end of the first quarter.
Michael Finke, Porto winger who finished with 25 points (five triples) and five reboundsHe began to open the book in terms of long shots and the blue and whites turned around at game time. In addition, Fernando Sá’s men took advantage of defensive exchanges, especially when center-back Marko Loncovic defended Porto’s mobile bases. Porto improved, managing to reduce Sporting to 18 points in the second quarter, but it was the lions who took the lead at halftime 47-45.
The punctual proximity was maintained in the third half. THE four point short margin that gave the Sporting fans the lead was not enough for things not to change in the final phase of the match, as was seen later.
a partial of 13-0 He benefited Porto to seal the victory under the watchful eye of Pinto da Costa, although the Invicta team made it easier in the final moments. Before the high defense of Sporting and a The resistant Marcus Lovett Jr: the American was the top scorer of the game with 29 points –, the lions almost took the victory away from Lisbon.
With nine seconds to go and only two points behind, the Verdiblancos had possession of the ball to win, but missed the triple. The offensive rebound was grabbed by DJ Fenner who couldn’t force overtime.
Source: Observadora
