By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Down in double-digits in the first half, KIROLBET Baskonia turned the tables on Valencia and clinched a spot in the Spanish league final with a 75-73 win on Sunday. Tuesday will feature Dusko Ivanovic’s side versus FC Barcelona for the 2019-20 ACB championship.
Zoran Dragic scored a game-high 21 points marking a new personal-best in the ACB. The 31-year-old Slovenian was 7/8 from the field, including 2/3 from long range leading his side to its ninth final berth.
Tornike Shengelia missed a couple of free throws and turned the ball over with an offensive foul in the final minute, but still followed with 17 points. Shavon Shields scored 13, including a clutch three-pointer for a five-point lead with 2:46 to go.
The season-ending tournament hosts failed to hit any of their three shots beyond the arc in the final seconds to regain the lead. Jordan Loyd missed the last attempt at the buzzer ending up with 11 points. Sam Van Rossom posted a team-high 14 points in losing effort.
Starter Louis Labeyrie suffered a foot injury and was treated on the sidelines but did not make his way back to the court following his five points in 13:14.
Tuesday’s final at the Pavelló Municipal Font de San Lluís will close out the single-site 12-team tournament that tipped off on June 17 to conclude the ACB campaign after the hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.