BRA - Machado's late three propels Flamengo into finals
RIO DE JANEIRO (Liga Nacional de Basquete) - Flamengo Río de Janeiro became the first team to reach the finals of the Brazilian National League after beating Franca 86-85 in Game 4 of their best-of-five games semi-final, taking the series 3-1. Franca were up 85-83 with a second left to play but that proved to be just enough time for Marcelinho ...
RIO DE JANEIRO (Liga Nacional de Basquete) - Flamengo Río de Janeiro became the first team to reach the finals of the Brazilian National League after beating Franca 86-85 in Game 4 of their best-of-five games semi-final, taking the series 3-1.
Franca were up 85-83 with a second left to play but that proved to be just enough time for Marcelinho Machado as he knocked down a three-pointer for the final score and the all-important win for Flamengo. He finished with 21 points while Helio added 19 and Jefferson 18 for Flamengo.
The home side raced out to a 29-20 lead by the end of the first quarter and stayed in front until Helinho inspired Franca late in the second period to get within one, 48-47, at the break.
The Sao Paulo outfit carried that momentum into the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 16-11 to edge in front 63-59.
The two teams traded the lead back and forth throughout the final frame. Ricardo Probst's free-throw with 19 seconds left to play gave Franca an 85-83 advantage before Machado hit the game-winning shot.
Helinho finished with 21 points while Probst had 17.
In the finals, Flamengo will face the winner of the semi-final between Universo/BRB and Minas Tenis. Universo lead the series 2-1 and Game 4 is on Thursday in Belo Horizonte.
FIBA