Barça snatch OT win in Valencia thriller
FC Barcelona snatched a crucial overtime victory, edging Valencia Basket 113-112 to take a 1-0 lead in their Liga ACB Finals series. The game was a back-and-forth affair, defined by momentum swings and palpable tension until the final buzzer.
Valencia had built a five-point lead by halftime (52-47), fueled by a dominant first quarter where they outscored Barcelona 25-13. However, Barça mounted a second-half comeback, entering the fourth quarter with a three-point advantage (72-75). The final period saw both teams trade blows, but it was in overtime where the Catalan club ultimately prevailed, sealing the 113-112 scoreline.
Despite shooting just 27% from three-point range (7-of-26), Valencia was powered by Jean Montero's 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, alongside 20 points from Brancou Badio. Valencia's bench also provided significant support with 37 points. Barcelona, meanwhile, showcased a potent offensive attack, with their bench contributing a remarkable 64 points. Will Clyburn led the charge with 21 points, while Nico Laprovittola, coming off the bench, added 20 points and 7 assists to spearhead the Barcelona effort. Barcelona now leads the series 1-0, putting immediate pressure on Valencia to respond in game two.