FC Porto beat Sporting 86-76, one win from the final | OneFootball

FC Porto are one win away from securing a place in the basketball championship final after beating Sporting 86-76 in the third game of the semi-finals, played this Friday at the Dragão Arena.

Sporting got off to the better start and even built a 10-point lead in the first quarter.

However, the rest of the first half belonged to the Dragons, who went into the break leading 48-41, seven points clear of their rivals.

After the interval, Sporting once again made a strong start and managed to cut the deficit to just two points on several occasions, even drawing level at 59 in the third quarter.

Even so, FC Porto responded and pulled away on the scoreboard again, to the delight of the many fans in attendance at the Dragão Arena.

In the end, victory went to the Blue and Whites, who finished the game with a 10-point lead and now move ahead in the series.

Maleeck Harden-Hayes was the standout player despite ending up on the losing side, with 21 points and three rebounds, while for Porto, Corey Allen-Williams and Cornelius Hudson were the most productive, both with 15 points, with the former also adding six assists.

It should be remembered that the first finalist has already been decided, after Benfica, the reigning four-time champions, eliminated Oliveirense with three straight wins, keeping alive their ambition of claiming a fifth consecutive title.

FC Porto now need just one more win to secure qualification for the final for the third season in a row, a stage at which they have always ended up losing in the Clássicos against the Eagles. Sporting, meanwhile, will have to win two games to turn the series around, as they trail 2-1.

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