Baskonia defeats Asvel in a tight EuroLeague matchup
In round 20 of the EuroLeague, Baskonia secured a valuable victory by defeating Asvel Villeurbanne 83-80 at the Astroballe 🏀. The game remained tight until the final second, where the Vitorians showed greater composure to manage the outcome.
A game decided by the details
The home team led by 12 points at one point, but Baskonia reacted in time. The key was closing out the game with a solid defense that prevented Asvel from tying in their last possession. The score reflects how close the matchup was on French soil.
Keys to the away victory:- Better management of the final minutes under pressure.
- Reacting after a difficult start and a significant deficit.
- Successfully executing the decisive defensive play.
"Sometimes, the difference between winning and losing is as fine as a ball spinning on the rim and deciding to come out..."
The third quarter, the turning point
The third quarter was decisive in changing the course of the game. Led by Dusko Ivanovic, the Vitorians improved their defensive intensity, which allowed them to generate fast transitions and score from beyond the three-point line. This momentum gave them the confidence to face the final quarter with a psychological advantage.
Factors that drove the comeback:- Increasing defensive pressure to force opponent errors.
- Taking advantage of fast breaks to score easily.
- Making threes in moments of maximum need.
The leaders on the court
Marcus Howard, with 19 points, and Vanja Marinkovic, with 18, were the offensive pillars of Baskonia. Their precision from the perimeter was crucial to tie and then take the lead. For Asvel, Nando De Colo contributed 15 points and 6 assists, but his effort was not enough to avoid the home defeat. With this win, Baskonia adds an important victory to their goal of qualifying for the EuroLeague playoffs.