Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Liga ABC match.
Valencia Basket made a strong statement of intent in the opening game of the series, steamrolling Gran Canaria (98:74) to gain a vital edge in the race for the semi-finals. Now, they travel to face their opponents on the road, looking to wrap up the series in two games.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria failed to make any impact in the first encounter. Offensively, the squad struggled to create quality scoring opportunities, converting just 40.6% of their field goal attempts and only 30.4% from beyond the arc. Their key players were largely neutralised by stronger opposition, with Nicolás Brussino and Caleb Homesley managing a combined total of just 12 points. Additionally, Gran Canaria thoroughly outmatched on the glass, losing the rebounding battle 29:43 and conceding 17 offensive rebounds.
Valencia Basket
Valencia Basket delivered a performance very much in keeping with their established style. Their high-tempo offence was once again a decisive factor, as the team attempted 67 shots with an efficient 50.7% field goal percentage. The star pairing of Jean Montero and Chris Jones contributed a combined 32 points, while bench player Matt Costello impressed with 11 points and five rebounds in just 15 minutes of play. At one stage early in the fourth quarter, the lead had swelled to 36 points — a clear indication of the disparity in quality.
Gran Canaria vs Valencia Basket Prediction
The first game clearly demonstrated a significant gulf in class between the two teams. Valencia Basket were dominant throughout and never allowed their opponents into the contest. With play-off intensity running high, there is little reason to expect a different outcome in the second leg.
