FC Porto beat Benfica 88-72 after a dominant final quarter | OneFootball

The Dragão Arena hosted the Classic of the 17th round of the regular basketball season, with FC Porto defeating Benfica 88-72. Although the game was balanced for three quarters, the final period favored the blue and whites, who asserted themselves on the court and limited the opponent’s actions. FC Porto’s defensive adjustment in the second half was one of the main reasons for the victory, as was Dunn’s outstanding performance.

With this result, the Dragons handed Benfica their second defeat in the league, matching Sporting’s record.

The game began with Benfica starting stronger and closing the first quarter in the lead, with a partial score of 13-20. FC Porto went through a phase without being able to make their shots, which allowed the reds to take the lead on the scoreboard.

At the start of the second quarter, the initial trend continued, with a more effective Benfica, even leading by 13-22. Still, the Eagles’ team ended up suffering from a lack of accuracy in three-point shooting. On the other side, FC Porto was more successful in that aspect, recovered ground, drew level, and even took the lead with a three-pointer.

Even so, the duel remained highly competitive and physically contested, with the Eagles always fighting for the result. The advantage returned to Benfica, who reached halftime in the lead, though by a narrow margin, at 34-38. Still, the second quarter was won by FC Porto, 21-18.

After halftime, the second half brought greater offensive aggressiveness from the Porto team, with a positive sequence of attacks that allowed them to regain the lead. A series of three-pointers balanced the game again, and the end of the third quarter saw just a one-point difference, favoring the Dragons, who led 56-55.

But the final period proved absolutely decisive, with a strong start and three successful three-point shots. Dunn was unstoppable from beyond the arc, hitting four three-pointers in the last quarter (13 of FC Porto’s 22 points in the final period).

Individual inspiration was important, but the way the Porto collective managed to halt Benfica’s offensive actions ultimately consolidated the victory in the last quarter, after 30 minutes marked by balance.

How are the league standings?

Benfica remains at the top of the Portuguese league, with 32 points from 16 games played. Sporting occupies second place, with 29 points, one more than Ovarense.

FC Porto appears in fourth place, also with 29 points, and is ahead of Oliveirense, who have 25.

Sporting de Braga is in sixth place, with 23 points, followed by Esgueira with 22, and Imortal with 21. Outside the playoff spots for the championship are Vitória SC and CA Queluz, while Vasco da Gama and Galitos FC occupy the two relegation places.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.