With a solid performance, FlaBasquete beats Paulistano and remains in the lead of the NBB
In a very balanced match in the first half, Flamengo makes the most of home court advantage to take off in the third quarter and stay at the top of the national table.
By Daniel Reich Falbo - inBack at Maracanãzinho, FlaBasquete won another NBB match on Tuesday night (26). Facing Paulistano, the red-black team showed its superiority and, with a good collective performance, beat the opponent by 81 to 68. With the result, the Pride of the Nation remains in the lead of the national tournament.
Highlights
Gui Deodato - 17 points
Gabriel Jaú - 16 points and 13 rebounds
The game
The match began with Paulistano making good use of three-pointers, with little effectiveness on short-range shots. Flamengo took a while to get into the game, with passing errors provoked by the visiting team's strong marking. With Gui Deodato, Franco Balbi, and Gabriel Jaú converting their three-pointers, Mengão prevented the opposing team's lead from lasting long. With 3:15 left, the Mais Querido took the lead after Olivinha made a successful two-point shot. With 1:35 remaining, the score was tied: 18-18. After successive errors and alternating possession, the score remained unchanged.
The second quarter began with Gui Deodato putting Mengão ahead with a perfect shot from the perimeter. While Paulistano relied on the efficiency of number 9 Ferreyra to stay close, Flamengo relied on collective play to maintain its lead. After a brief moment of advantage for the visitors, consecutive three-pointers from Olivinha and Loku Cuello gave Flamengo back control of the game. The teams alternated free throw attempts, when, with 3:31 remaining in the period, Gabriel Jaú stole the ball and scored two more points for Mengão, increasing the lead to four points (36-32) and prompting a timeout from the opposing coach. With Olivinha setting the pace and Jaú once again emerging with a basket from the paint, Flamengo went into halftime leading 40-36.
Paulistano tied the game again early in the third period. Franco Balbi, with a sweet assist to Big Maique, and then two layups, put the home team back in the lead. With 4:45 remaining in the half, Paulistano saw the Mais Querido's lead reach 10 points after an offensive rebound followed by a basket by Gabriel Jaú. Gui Deodato, with another three-point shot, and Gabriel Jaú's successful free throws increased the lead to 15 points. From then on, the home team was able to exploit Paulistano's nervousness to build up plays with greater ease, reaching the final period with the scoreboard showing 63-50.
Big Maique opened the fourth quarter, lifting the home team at Maracanãzinho with a colossal dunk. The visitors tried to close the gap with three-pointers but ended up committing too many fouls. Scott Machado took advantage, converting two more free throws and maintaining a comfortable lead. Balbi, the game's leading assist maker (5), continued to keep his teammates in good stead for a relatively calm finish, with the team playing with great consistency. On the offensive end, the judicious use of the clock allowed the clock to tick down without any threat of a change at the top. With two minutes remaining, the battle for the top scorer position pitted Balbi, Gui, Jaú, and Olivinha against each other. And it was number 1, Gui Deodato, who finished ahead with 17 points. With the clock running out, Mengão won 81-68.
Next challenge
FlaBasquete returns to the court this Thursday (28), to face São Paulo, at 21 pm, at Maracanãzinho, in another round of the NBB. The match will be broadcast on FlaTV and FlaTV+, Mengão's official streaming service. Fan club members are entitled to a free subscription!
Starting Quintet
Franco Balbi, Gui Deodato, Didi Louzada, Maique and Devon Scott.
Coach: Gustavo De Conti.