Deck doesn’t like to lose

The ACB pulses in Europe usually say goodbye as they arrive, with the cards marked. beat the real Madrid to the Valencia Basketball for the fourth time this campaign, but as in the Cup, there was a close with suspense (95-91). Deck won it with his push, after signing a bad performance against Baskonia and having a hard time getting into the game (in fact, he did not come out until minute 11); although he ended up determining the fate of his team with claw pushes and then they did look for him. And they found it. Of his 18 points, 10 in the last 7 minutes, some with key rebounds (7 in total). And he had two assists (no turnovers) and 5 fouls for a PIR of 26. First the soul and then the numbers, with Deck it’s always like that. It was his way, and that of his colleagues, because they clung to him, to solve another inconstant collective action. Ups and downs that Valencia tried to promote with its exteriors gamerswith Jared Harper and, above all, with a fantastic Chris Jones (19 points, 4 passes and 26 credits) that gave relief to a good start by Cuban center Jasiel Rivero. The 15 of 31 in triples (48%) supported the orange squad, while the white ship clung to its successes near the basket (25 of 35 of two, 71%) with 23 assists and 24 of 26 in free throws (92%) that unbalanced the balance. Deck did it, also from there: 8 of 8.

Both teams played without a net. Not that a trip was immediately lethal, but it could turn out to be. Now, for example, the most basic accounts say that Valencia needs five wins to reach the quarterfinals in six days. Mission… very difficult. Madrid, who will be in the playoffs, maintains an advantageous position in the race for home court factor despite pressing from behind. Momentarily, three victories more than the fifth, Fenerbahçe, who receives Barça this Friday.

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Chus Mateo, with the loss of Yabusele (he hit his right knee on Tuesday against Baskonia), The quintet changed (Goss, Musa, Hezonja, Cornelie and Tavares). A start stepping on the area a lot, with several dunks and a lot of speed. Tavares assisted and Cornelie cut through the bottom line to hang from the hoop, twice like that. Well the Frenchman who added a triple. Valencia responded from the perimeter and Dubljevic and Rivero scored a three-pointer each to keep Edy out of the area. The locals commanded, although in full charge of Rivero, who he chained 7 goals (13 at halftime), the visitors narrowed everything: 30-29. Real answered with a 17-6 run (47-35) and finished the quarter with 3 of 6 in three-pointers and 5 of 7 from two.

In the resumption, express comeback of those from Mumbrú: quick triple by Webb, robbery and basket by Dubljevic, triple by the Montenegrin, another by Chris Jones and 3+1 by López-Arostegui for a 4-15 in 3:28. Complete return to the tortilla and continue cooking; now the taronjas grabbed the pan: 53-55. Madrid endured the type and an unsportsmanlike game by Dubljevic was resolved with five points, both free and a gunshot del Chacho, who sat down and returned to the parquet immediately by Goss’s fourth.

Also four personal Tavares, so Sergio Rodríguez (7 assists) connected with Poirier on two occasions and with Cornelie in another great action (75-69). The rival response, a couple of good cuts and more triples countered by Deck’s push. But three by three it goes faster and Valencia was going to tie him: 83-82. Uncertain ending that Deck resolved with four free throws and a pass for Tavares’ dunk in the last 69 seconds. Madrid took it despite conceding 51 points in the second half, despite never commanding with authority. An important victory that does not clear up doubts.