Basketball Champions League: Joventut Dominates AEK Athens to Force Game 3 (88-66)

BADALONA — Joventut defeated AEK Athens 88-66 in Game 2 of the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals, tying the playoff series at 1-1 and forcing a decisive Game 3 on April 15 in Athens for a spot in the Final Four.

The green-and-black squad delivered a dominant performance from the opening tip at the Palau Municipal d'Esports de Badalona, energized by a spectacular crowd. From the first minutes, Joventut set the pace of this Basketball Champions League matchup, punishing AEK Athens' turnovers and generating numerous fast-break opportunities thanks to their defensive intensity.

The start was devastating for Joventut, who quickly built their advantage through strong defense and quick transitions. Cameron Hunt opened the scoring with several offensive plays that gave the team confidence, while Jabari Parker soon added to the outside success. Defensive pressure forced numerous turnovers from the Greek squad, allowing Joventut to close the first quarter with a commanding 27-13 lead.

Joventut's dominance in the Basketball Champions League continued into the second period. Although the team struggled to find their rhythm from beyond the arc early on, offensive rebounding and pace control kept the home side in command. Henri Drell, Michael Kraag, and Parker dominated the boards, while Ricky Rubio and Adam Hanga orchestrated the offense with precision.

The lead grew rapidly to a maximum of 26 points (47-21) following an impressive 30-6 run, reflecting Joventut's offensive onslaught. At halftime, the scoreboard read 53-31, with the Catalan squad firmly in control.

After the break, Joventut slightly eased off the pace but maintained command of the game. Ricky Rubio, the team's leading scorer with 13 points, sustained the offense with penetrations and drawing fouls, while the lead reached its maximum at 66-38.

AEK Athens attempted a comeback late in the third quarter with three-pointers from Bryce Bartley and James Nunnally, who finished with 13 and 12 points respectively, but the deficit remained too large to threaten the outcome.

In the final period, Joventut intelligently managed their lead. An Adam Hanga three-pointer with four minutes remaining made it 81-59, effectively sealing the game against an AEK team that never cut the deficit below 16 points after halftime.

Beyond Ricky Rubio's 13 points, the green-and-black squad displayed excellent offensive balance with six players reaching double figures. Henri Drell and Jabari Parker contributed 12 points each, while Miguel Allen and Adam Hanga added 11, and Cameron Hunt chipped in 10.

One of the keys to Joventut's victory in the Basketball Champions League was their defensive pressure, which forced 24 turnovers from AEK Athens, completely destabilizing the Greek team's offense.

The win allows Joventut to tie the Basketball Champions League quarterfinal series at 1-1 and keeps their Final Four hopes alive.

The decisive Game 3 will take place on April 15 in Athens, where AEK Athens and Joventut will battle for a spot in the Basketball Champions League final phase.