BADALONA — Baskonia fell 81-69 to Joventut Badalona in Liga Endesa ACB action, a game in which the Vitoria-based team never found rhythm. Sixteen turnovers and an inconsistent offensive start hampered the visiting squad, which now sees its playoff seeding hopes in jeopardy.
The loss leaves Baskonia with 19 wins and increases pressure down the stretch of the regular season, while Joventut picks up an important victory against a direct rival.
Tough Start for Baskonia
The game began with offensive struggles for Baskonia, which took time to find its rhythm and only got on the board from the free-throw line. The Badalona team capitalized on that cold start to build early leads.
As the minutes progressed, the visiting head coach made substitutions in search of a response. The entry of players like Luwawu-Cabarrot, Omoruyi, and Simmons brought more energy to the team, which managed to stay close on the scoreboard. A three-point play from Omoruyi and Simmons' first three-pointer left it 16-13 at the end of the first quarter.
However, problems continued in the second period. Baskonia had already accumulated eight turnovers midway through the quarter and couldn't find collective flow. At halftime, the numbers reflected the visiting team's struggles: 10 turnovers, 2-of-14 from three-point range, and trailing 38-29.
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Luwawu-Cabarrot Led the Comeback
After halftime, Baskonia showed a better version of itself. Diakité and a three-pointer from Radzevicius gave the first signs of a comeback, and shortly after, Luwawu-Cabarrot emerged, the league's leading scorer.
The French wing, who hadn't played in the first half, strung together a three-point play and then another three-pointer to add nine consecutive points and bring Baskonia back into the game.
The comeback was confirmed at the start of the fourth quarter, when Rafa Villar tied it at 55-55 from the free-throw line, evening out a game that had looked very difficult for the visitors.
Joventut Decided It in the Crucial Stretch
When the game entered its decisive phase, Joventut Badalona reasserted control. The home team punished from beyond the arc with two consecutive three-pointers to open up space (67-60) and regain complete control of the contest.
Baskonia struggled near the basket and found no offensive answer in the final minutes. The gap widened to the final 81-69, with the visitors unable to mount a second comeback.
Playoff Picture
The loss complicates Baskonia's hopes of finishing the regular season as a top seed in the Liga Endesa ACB playoffs. Joventut, meanwhile, strengthens its candidacy in the upper standings after defeating a direct rival.