Flamengo played to the rhythm of samba and didn't give Austin a break
RIO DE JANEIRO (Brazil) – Samba reverberated at Rio de Janeiro’s Arena Carioca. Local team Flamengo deployed their whole game and overpowered the Austin Spurs with a dominant 90-58 win to advance to the Grand Finale of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, where they’ll face Greece's AEK this Sunday.
📹 Watch the best action from @TimeFlamengo 🆚 @austin_spurs at the #IntercontinentalCup! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/U6imBsm3rN
— FIBA Intercontinental Cup (@FIBAIC) February 16, 2019
Argentine point guard Franco Balbi led Flamengo’s offense with 19 points —all in the first half— and five three-pointers. Small forward Marquinhos added 17, with three three-pointers; and point guard Deryk Ramos contributed 14 points with 4/4 from the three-point zone. Small forward Josh Huestis was the only one who reached double digits for the Americans, contributing 10 points to his side.
The point of no return: Austin jumpstarted the game with an 11-2 streak in the first six minutes, but Flamengo adjusted their defense, put a stop to their adversaries’ run and started to find the basket, ending that initial quarter with the momentum, 20-15. Balbi took the reins in the second quarter, and with his three-pointers widened the gap, 44-27. The third quarter of the game was practically decided when Marquinhos let loose and in the middle of the period (5:05 minutes) scored three consecutive three-pointers to set an unattainable distance in the scoreboard, 59-35.
The hero of the game: Balbi, with his three-pointers in the first half, tipped the balance to favor the Brazilians. The Argentine, besides his 16 points, dished six assists to put his squad ahead.
The numbers don’t lie: Flamengo scored 16 three-pointers in 29 attempts — in fact, they achieved more three-pointers than two-pointers (13) during the encounter. The Spurs shot 38% from the field, with a mere 4/20 from long distance. The Cariocas converted the G-League champions’ 15 turnovers in into 18 points.
Recap: The Brazilians, who already won the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 2014, will have a great chance to win it again this Sunday, in front of their fans, in the Final against Greece’s AEK. Austin will play for the third place against Argentina’s San Lorenzo.
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