ACB Playoffs: Valencia Basket Stuns Joventut in Epic Overtime Thriller at Roig Arena (118-117)

Valencia Basket and Joventut de Badalona opened their ACB League semifinals at the Roig Arena (20:00h). Pedro Martínez's side entered as favorites, seeded first through the playoffs. With Real Madrid's elimination, Valencia holds home-court advantage throughout the series after finishing second in the regular season.

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Joventut arrived in Valencia fresh off a stunning upset victory in Vitoria, while Valencia Basket swept Bilbao Basket in two games.

The Catalan side aimed to storm the Roig Arena and claim a 1-0 series lead. Valencia Basket, meanwhile, faced the match without Arostegui, Puerto, Sima, and Thompson.

• Valencia Basket Starting Five: Jean Montero, Brancou Badoo, Kameron Taylor, Jaime Pradilla, and Neak Sako.
• Asisa Joventut: Vives, Hunt, Kraaf, Ruzic, and Parker.

Jean Montero opened the scoring with a three-pointer, answered by Guillem Vives with a mid-range jumper (3-2). Vives, a former Valencia Basket player, gave Penya their first lead with a three-pointer (5-7).

Jaime Pradilla scored his first basket with a three from the top of the key (8-8). Three minutes into the game, Nate Reuvers had to leave the court with an injury of unknown severity.

Hakanson hit a spectacular three-pointer, answered seconds later by Cárdenas (20-22). Valencia Basket took the first quarter, with Jean Montero hitting a buzzer-beater three-pointer that wasn't well-defended by the Catalan side (26-22).

The second quarter started with constant back-and-forth scoring, with the home team's efficiency standing out. Joventut's coach called a timeout just two minutes in with the score at 34-28.

A massive Jean Montero three-pointer from nearly half-court at the buzzer drew roars from the crowd, extending Valencia's lead to +8 (38-30). But from there, the orange team's efficiency dropped, and a Hakanson three-pointer gave Joventut the edge (43-46).

A poor stretch late in the half gave the visitors the first-half lead (51-54). A strong Joventut was competing at the highest level in one of the league's toughest arenas.

Jaime Pradilla answered with a transition dunk to restore Valencia's lead (58-56). Minutes continued to tick by with the score remaining tight. Jabbari Parker hit a corner three for 69-70. Parker wasn't done, adding his third three-pointer of the quarter for 74-78, with Joventut ahead.

Valencia Basket responded late, with two Jaime Pradilla free throws and a Jean Montero 2+1 giving the home side 79-78. Joventut had the final possession with 18 seconds remaining, but Ricky Rubio's shot fell short (79-78).

Ricky Rubio opened the fourth quarter with a basket (79-80), followed by a Hakanson three-pointer (79-83). Joventut started the final quarter strong.

Neak Sako dunked in transition to cut it to two points (95-97), with Valencia closing the gap three minutes from the end. The visiting coach called timeout.

Jaime Pradilla hit a corner three to tie it at 105. Joventut had possession to win with an inbound play with 17.4 seconds left. Kameron Taylor scored to open overtime 107-105, then Hunt answered with a 2+1 for 107-108. Three minutes remained.

Ricky Rubio scored next, and Costello tied it with a three at 110. A brilliant Jaime Pradilla play put Valencia up 112-110, but Hunt tied it again.

Kameron Taylor scored on a two-pointer for 114-112, and Ricky Rubio answered with a three for 114-115. The scoring never stopped in this game.

Jean Montero made an individual play for 116-115, and Birgander dunked for 116-117.

Jean Montero, with 7.4 seconds remaining, made two free throws for 118-117. Joventut had the final possession but another poor execution cost them the victory in Valencia. Jean Montero led the way with 27 points and 8 assists (118-117).

Game 2 is Friday at 20:00h, also at the Roig Arena, with Game 3 at the Olímpic de Badalona on Sunday at 20:00h.