Author: Monojit Mandal
The semi-finals of the NBB (Novo Basquete Brasil) began with a series of electrifying clashes, showcasing the greatest talents in Brazilian basketball. In the first game, São Paulo emerged victorious against Flamengo in a very tight battle, while Franca secured an imposing win over Minas.
São Paulo beat Flamengo 80-72
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The NBB semifinals began with a thrilling match between Flamengo and São Paulo, which resulted in victory for the tricolor team. The long-awaited game was played at Tijuca Tênis Clube, and São Paulo won with a final score of 80-72, led by Bennett’s outstanding performance, who contributed 21 points to the team’s victory.
São Paulo dominated the game in the first quarter, taking a 25-19 lead over Flamengo. Flamengo, on the other hand, managed to recover in the second quarter and close the gap briefly. After the break, the Tricolor regained their momentum and widened the gap once again. The away team efficiently controlled their lead in the final session to seal the win.
Flamengo’s top scorer was Gabriel Jaú, who scored 15 points during the game. Flamengo overcame Bauru in the quarter-finals, while São Paulo beat Pinheiros. The next two games in the series will be played in Morumbi and, if necessary, the series could return to Rio.
Franca beat Minas 112-98
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Franca demonstrated their superiority in the NBB quarter-finals by beating Minas 112-98 in the Novo Basquete Brasil playoffs. The team from São Paulo took advantage of home advantage to win the series 1-0.
Throughout the first quarter, the game remained even, with both teams displaying precise attacks and remaining calm in defense. However, Franca took the lead in the second half, opening up a small advantage over Minas. The São Paulo team’s fans were important in boosting the team’s performance and taking control of the match.
It’s worth noting that Franchi Lucas Dias and Lucas Mariano were very efficient, scoring 25 and 22 points respectively. Despite this excellent performance, the game’s top scorer was a Minas player. Shaquille Johnson led the scoring with 31 points, which earned him the title of MVP of the game.