By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
For a long time, Valencia was one of the defensively toughest teams in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season, while Baskonia was also a tough nut to crack. However, when they collided in Round 28 of the ACB League, points poured in from all over the place.
With a result more fitting for an NBA game, Valencia took down Baskonia 111-101 in La Fonteta, improving to 17-11 in the standings and leaving the Vitoria team outside the playoff zone with a record of 15-13.
The hosts had a 62-34 lead after 20 minutes and maintained the distance until the last few minutes of the third period. However, Baskonia responded strongly and closed the gap to just five points after a few minutes in the final quarter. Valencia bounced back, stayed in front, and secured the win in Alex Mumbru’s successor, Xavier Alberto’s debut on the bench.
The winning side’s Chris Jones scored 27 points and seven assists, followed by Semi Ojeleye’s 25 points and seven rebounds. Brandon Davis scored 12 points, while James Anderson and Damian Inligs added 10 each.
Markus Howard made it rain again, shooting 8/12 from beyond the arc for 36 points, but it wasn’t enough for Dusko Ivanovic’s side. Even double-doubles from Chima Moneke and Cody Miller-McIntyre didn’t help, as the Nigerian scored 21 points with 10 rebounds, while the US guard with a Bulgarian passport finished the game with 15 points and 10 assists.