The scoreboard says it all. A wild festival of points that pierced lax defenses, in a game played at full speed. With a Barça in need of redemption for two useless defeats (in Lugo against Breogán and, above all, against Paris at the Palau) and a Valencia in good spirits and splendor, with two games in a row that exceeded one hundred.
Barça scored the hundred (102-99) with their formidable snipers, Kevin Punter (24) and Jabary Parker (19), with four triples each. Valencia missed the last hand Chris Jones, who launched the triple that would have forced overtime. That five-second play was defended by Justin Anderson, his old teammate at Valencia, who told him to shut up before hugging himself and smiling at the final whistle.
Willy Hernangómez shoots a basket in front of Matt Costello. /EuropaPress
Injury to Metu
The fantastic duel ended as it had begun. At full speed, with a Barça that distributed its first 11 points among the starting five and a Valencia that after five minutes had already reached five. And not because of the poor performance of the substitutes, but because of Pedro Martínez’s desire to make the game fly. The decision proved to be the wrong one early on as the Blaugrana raised the scoreboard to plus 13 (20-16) and a high of plus 16 (35-19), and that gap was not closed.
Valencia stopped finding easy baskets under Barcelona’s baskets because they succeeded remove Willy Hernagómez from his areaone of the best in the latest Euroleague catastrophe. The center scored (7 points), but let the others score. Vesely matched his teammate’s score, but closed the inside waterway. Just like Metu (6), until he injured his left knee and left the park, never to return. Fall watched him sit for 40 minutes. “It’s not going very well,” Joan Peñarroya said of Metu’s injury.
Triple and more triple
Barça was able to adapt its defense, one of its flaws, to preserve the income it had brought in when it ran out. It didn’t happen at any point. They did not lose the advantage after a 0-11 deficit that Núñez stopped with two baskets to give the team back the compass that would allow them to reach the break.
And the interruption was used so that the technician who was losing could introduce the corrections he created. Especially a strategist like Martínez. Despite a streak of consecutive points from Punter (8 consecutive points), Valencia reduced turnovers and completed more attacks. First two, then three. Nine of their players hit from distance. Josep Puerto, with a shot against the backboard, left the scoreboard within reach of his team.
Chimezie Metu had to leave the game in the first half due to an ankle injury. /Quique García/Efe
The game was all about attacks and The Levantine team, the one that concedes the least in the competition (80 on average, they boasted), has not stopped devouring baskets and points. He held his own because he now had Jones and Montero, who had not made their debut in the first half and then brought out the machine gun with 27 points between the two.
FC Barcelona, 102 – Valencia Basket, 99
Barcelona: Núñez (8), Punter (24), Parker (18), Anderson (8), Hernangómez (13) –initial five-; Satoransky (5), Vesely (12), Brizuela (0), Metu (6), Abrines (2), Parra (6).
11 of 25 triples (Parker, Gambler, 4), 31 rebounds, 6 offensive (Vesely, 3), 23 assists (Núñez, Satoransky, 6)
Valencia: Montero (11), López Aróstegui (5), Ojeleye (19), Pradilla (7), Reuvers (14) – quintet-; Badio (6), Costello (4), Jovic (2), Sestina (5), Puerto (10), Jones (16), De Larrea (0).
14 of 38 triples (Jones, 3), 34 rebounds, 9 offensive (Ojeleye, Porto, 2), 23 assists (Montero, 6).
Partial: 29-19; 21-19; 21-29; 31-32.
Referees: Benjamín Jiménez, Joaquín García, Andrés Fernández.
Pavilion: Palau Blaugrana (5,499 spectators).
What strategies did Barça employ to improve their defense in the match against Valencia?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Basketball Expert
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today. It’s always a pleasure to discuss the intricacies of basketball with an expert like you. Let’s dive into that thrilling match between Barça and Valencia. What were your overall impressions of the game?
Basketball Expert: Thank you for having me! That match was truly a spectacle. Both teams brought their A-game, showcasing fast-paced play and impressive scoring runs. Barça needed that win after their recent setbacks, and they played with a chip on their shoulder. The scoreline of 102-99 truly captures the excitement of the match.
Time.news Editor: The offense was certainly on fire. What do you think were the key factors that led Barça to victory, particularly with their shooting performance?
Basketball Expert: Absolutely. The standout performances from Kevin Punter and Jabary Parker were pivotal. Punter’s 24 points and Parker’s 19, all with four triples each, showcased their shooting prowess. Their ability to connect from beyond the arc kept Valencia on the defensive. Barça’s ability to distribute early points among their starting five also set the pace for their attack, demonstrating their depth and versatility.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of strategy, how did Barça adapt their defense during the game? We know that defense has been one of their weaknesses recently.
Basketball Expert: Indeed. Barça managed to adjust effectively, especially after building a solid lead. They were aggressive in removing space around key players like Willy Hernangómez. By limiting Valencia’s easy scoring opportunities, they preserved their lead even when the game tightened. Their defensive adjustments under pressure were a testament to their coaching staff’s strategic planning.
Time.news Editor: Valencia’s Chris Jones had a chance to tie it at the end but missed the crucial three-pointer. How impactful was that moment for the team’s momentum?
Basketball Expert: That final shot from Jones was critical. This type of moment can greatly affect team morale. He’s a key player, and when you rely on your best shooter to make those clutch plays and it doesn’t go in, it can be disheartening. However, it’s also a learning opportunity. With a talented strategist like Pedro Martínez at the helm, I expect Valencia will analyze this closely to bounce back.
Time.news Editor: Injuries can play a significant role in games. What can you tell us about Chimezie Metu’s injury and its effect on Valencia?
Basketball Expert: Metu’s injury was unfortunate, especially as he was contributing well before going down. Losing a player of his caliber in such a dynamic matchup can shift the momentum. Joan Peñarroya’s acknowledgment of the situation emphasizes how key players can influence a game’s outcome, and it’s essential for teams to have effective rotations to cope when such injuries occur.
Time.news Editor: what do you think both teams can take away from this match as they move forward in the season?
Basketball Expert: For Barça, this victory can serve as solid motivation to build upon. They’ve proven they can perform under pressure and that their offensive strategies work. Valencia, on the other hand, should focus on their defensive coordination and ensuring they have a plan B when key players are out or perform below par. Consistency will be vital as the season progresses.
Time.news Editor: It’s always enlightening to get your insights. Thank you for sharing your expertise on this thrilling match. We look forward to seeing how both teams evolve throughout the season!
Basketball Expert: Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the sport, and I look forward to future games as well.