Valencia Basket falls in overtime after collapsing in the second half

The Valencia Basket experienced a night to forget at the Roig Arena. What began as a historic performance ended in a difficult-to-interpret defeat against the reigning Euroleague champion, Olympiacos. With a final score of 97-102, the taronja lost their unbeaten status in the European competition after squandering a 28-point lead in the first half. Overtime was the epilogue of a defensive and offensive collapse that completely changed the course of the game.

A dream start for the taronja

The Valencia Basket under Xavi Albert started with overwhelming intensity. Kameron Taylor opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and Osetkowski immediately extended the lead with another outside shot. The Greeks found their first points through a 2+1 from Ward, but Valencia maintained absolute control of the game. Nikola Mirotic became one of the main offensive arguments for the home team, scoring nine points in his first minutes of play. The first quarter ended with the taronja comfortably ahead (31-17).

The Valencian superiority intensified during the second period. Xavi Albert's team reached a 21-point lead, and the atmosphere in the Roig Arena was one of total euphoria. Armony Brooks and Cárdenas joined the scoring spree with decisive contributions. The most spectacular moment of the first half came with TJ Shorts: the American point guard nailed a massive three-pointer at the buzzer, leaving the score at a resounding 59-34. Mirotic led the locals at halftime with 11 points, and everything indicated that the taronja were headed for a victory of great value.

The Greek reaction that changed the game

After the break, Brooks tried to extend the lead with another three-pointer, but from that moment on, Olympiacos began a radical transformation. The Greeks capitalized on Valencia's offensive and defensive issues to gradually reduce the gap. The visiting team substantially improved their defense and found greater fluidity in attack. Xavi Albert had to stop the game twice to try to halt the rival's momentum. Vezenkov and Montero took on increasing responsibilities in the Greek game.

The Valencian lead shrank to twelve points (71-59), and the match entered a completely different dynamic than the first half. The taronja seemed disconnected, unable to maintain the defensive intensity that had allowed them to build such a wide margin. The Roig Arena was beginning to feel the tension of a comeback that seemed impossible.

The collapse in the decisive quarter

The final quarter began with another basket from the visitors that brought Olympiacos within ten points. Reuvers responded with a 2+1 for the locals, but the Greeks continued to apply pressure relentlessly. A three-pointer from Fournier and incisive actions from Montero raised the tension in the stands of the Roig Arena. Puerto tried to give the taronja some air from the perimeter, but his efforts were insufficient. The Valencian lead gradually dissolved until it was just one point.

After Brooks responded with a three-pointer, Montero struck again to put the visitors ahead. Valencia Basket found no defensive or offensive solutions, and Olympiacos completed a comeback that seemed impossible. With 88-90 and 25.3 seconds left to play, TJ Shorts scored to tie the game at 90. Montero had the last Greek possession, but he missed the shot, sending the game into overtime (90-90).

The overtime: the inevitable conclusion

Olympiacos struck first in the extra period, although Kameron Taylor once again put the locals ahead from the free-throw line. A technical foul on Papanikolau allowed Mirotic to tie the game, but Valencia did not manage their final possessions well. The collapse from the second half took its toll in the most critical moments. What had begun as a historic night ended in a defeat that left the taronja fans stunned. The final score of 97-102 reflected the magnitude of the failure: 28 points of advantage evaporated.

Jean Montero, the unexpected protagonist

The match had a special protagonist: Jean Montero. The Dominican returned to the Roig Arena wearing Olympiacos' jersey and ended up being absolutely decisive in the Greek comeback. With 26 points, Montero led the reaction of the reigning Euroleague champion and was crucial in the tensest moments of the game. His return to the stage where he played with the taronja added an additional layer of drama to an unforgettable night for the local fans.

On his part, Nikola Mirotic was the top scorer for the locals with 19 points. The Montenegrin tried to keep the Valencian hope alive, but his efforts were not enough to counteract the collective collapse. TJ Shorts, with his spectacular three-pointer at the buzzer in the first half, faded into the background after the Greek comeback.

The defeat is a harsh blow for the Valencia Basket, which lost its European unbeaten record after letting slip a victory of great value. The taronja had the game in their hands for 30 minutes, but they could not manage a lead that seemed definitive. The lack of defensive concentration in the second half and the inability to maintain offensive rhythm were the main culprits for the disaster.

The schedule offers no respite. The Valencian team will play at home again this Thursday against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the sixth round of the Euroleague. Then, on Sunday at 17:00, they will host UCAM Murcia in the Liga Endesa. The taronja will need to react as soon as possible and put behind them a night that the taronja fans will find hard to forget.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Valencia Basket cae en prórroga tras desmoronarse en la segunda mitad