To leave no doubt: Flamengo crushes Franca and remains undefeated in the NBB.
In another stellar performance, Flamengo opens up a 36-point lead and achieves another consecutive victory in the national competition.
By Paulo Neto - in
Flamengo beat Franca 86-72 on Wednesday night (12), at Pedrocão, for the ninth round of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB). The final result does not do justice to the gala performance of the Pride of the Nation, which was winning by 36 points at the beginning of the last quarter, but took its foot off the gas in the final minutes. The damage was already done: ninth consecutive victory in the competition and undefeated leadership to call its own.
Led by Alexey Borges, Flamengo had an absolutely dominant start to the match. While the Flamengo point guard pulled solutions out of thin air on offense, the Flamengo defense forced errors from the Francana team and the team played in transition. The score was an incredible 32-6 at the end of the first quarter. Flamengo continued to be in total control of the game throughout. With a very strong third quarter, the advantage increased to 76-40. In the final minutes, a lighter pace and focus on Paulistano, their opponent next Saturday (15), in search of their tenth consecutive victory in this edition of the NBB.
Highlights:
Alexey - 16 points and 10 assists
Dee Bost - 14 points
Wesley - 11 points
Cummings - 9 points
Manel - 8 points
The Game
1st Bedroom
Flamengo started the game in overwhelming fashion. After Franca's first two points with Cristiano Felício, the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved) responded immediately with a three-pointer from Markeith Cummings, beginning a dominant sequence. Gui Deodato, in transition, extended the lead, and Alexey, in great form, commanded the Flamengo rhythm, distributing spectacular assists, two of them for Wesley to finish with ease. Forcing errors and playing in transition, Flamengo opened up a 15-2 lead, forcing Helinho Garcia to call a timeout. The dominance remained absolute: Negrete converted from outside, Cummings scored again, and Dee Bost also left his mark with a three-pointer. Riding the momentum of the impeccable start, Flamengo closed the first quarter with an impressive advantage: 32-6.
2st Bedroom
The second quarter began with a more balanced scenario. Franca started finding openings on offense, but Flamengo maintained control of the game with good offensive plays. Manel and Markeith Cummings scored early in the quarter, and Wesley got the Flamengo bench going with a beautiful dunk. With Dee Bost converting two more points, the score reached 42-15. The home team then experienced their best moment in the game, reducing the difference to 42-19, which led Sergio Hernandez to call a timeout. Upon returning, Wesley responded with a three-pointer that cooled Franca's reaction. In the final minutes of the first half, Alexey and Shaq still left their mark, maintaining the rhythm of the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved). Flamengo went into halftime with an impressive advantage for a game of this importance: 49-25, crowning an almost perfect performance up to that point.
3st Bedroom
Flamengo maintained absolute dominance after halftime, with Alexey leading the offensive actions in a performance that was on track to become historic. The point guard distributed impressive passes, such as the one that found Wesley open to extend the lead. The center reached double digits in scoring and continued to be one of the highlights of the game. Lucas Doria converted a free throw after an unsportsmanlike foul, and possession remained with Flamengo, who did not slow down. Alexey found Gui Deodato in the corner for another three-pointer, and soon after, Alexey himself converted from outside, bringing the score to 58-29. The number 47 also showed accuracy from mid-range, forcing Franca to call a timeout with Flamengo winning 62-29. In the following minutes, the game became more congested and with many fouls, but Flamengo maintained total control of the game and managed the large advantage well. The quarter ended with Flamengo ahead 71-38.
4st quarter
At the start of the final period, Manel made a beautiful dunk that brought the score to 76-40, consolidating an impressive 36-point lead for Flamengo. With the result practically secured, Flamengo slowed down and began to manage the game, while Franca took advantage to reduce the difference in the final minutes. Even so, Flamengo's victory was never in doubt. In an impeccable collective performance, Flamengo controlled the game from start to finish and confirmed another great result in this edition of the NBB: 86-72, maintaining their undefeated lead in the championship.
Next challenge
The Pride of the Nation returns to the court next Saturday (15), to face Paulistano, at 17 pm, in São Paulo, for the tenth round of the NBB.
Starting Quintet
Alexey, Gui Deodato, Shaq Johnson, Markeith Cummings and Wesley Castro.
Coach: Sergio Hernandez.