FC Porto led from start to finish, never trailing and opening a 27-13 first-quarter gap through elite three-point shooting.
Cornelius Hudson scored 18 points and Johnathan Dunn added 16, continuing the form that turned the series after Game 1.
The defending champions struggled to generate consistent offense, shooting poorly from deep and relying on individual sparks rather than collective flow.
Porto now leads the best-of-five final 2-1 and can clinch the championship this Sunday in front of its home fans.
FC Porto overpowered Benfica in Game 3 of the Portuguese Basketball League playoff final, winning 87-63 to put themselves on the brink of the national title. The home side dominated from the opening tip, built an early double-digit lead, and never allowed the defending champions to seriously threaten. With the series now at 2-1, Porto can clinch the championship on Sunday in the same arena.
Porto entered the game determined after splitting the first two contests in Lisbon. The opening period was a one-sided affair: the Dragons shot over 60 percent from three-point range and clamped down defensively, holding Benfica to just 13 points. Cornelius Hudson and Johnathan Dunn each hit early triples, and a Cory Allen three pushed the lead to 10-3. By the end of the quarter the scoreboard read 27-13, a margin the hosts could control the rest of the way.
The second quarter began as the first ended, with Vladyslav Voytso hitting another three to make it 30-13. Miguel Maria and Dunn soon joined the long-range parade and the advantage ballooned to 38-16. Benfica, reliant on individual creation from Aaron Broussard, finally found some rhythm with José Silva's triple and a 6-0 run that cut the deficit to 40-25. However, two missed outside shots prevented further pressure, and Dunn answered with another three to restore a 45-29 lead. At halftime Porto led 47-35.
Benfica showed more fight after the break, pulling within 55-44, but Porto calmly responded with back-to-back scores to re-establish control. Through three quarters the margin stood at 64-49. The final period brought no drama; Hudson finished with 18 points and Dunn with 16 as the Dragons cruised to the final horn.
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“Our shooting percentage allowed us to compete throughout the entire game. Once again, this team responded when nobody expected it. We have several players coming back from injury who are fully committed to the team's work. After a heavy defeat two days ago, which could have left scars, the team turned it around and won. Cornelius Hudson scored 41 points and today he was phenomenal.”
“It was a game of ups and downs for both sides. They started better than us. Then we improved. Eugene Crandall's exclusion was decisive. We have to give credit to the winners. When a game is very balanced, any team can win. FC Porto is a great team and very well coached, a team accustomed to these final moments. It is essential that we lower their offensive efficiency. Today, we were not as good. We have to return to our identity.”
After losing Game 1 at Benfica's Pavilhão da Luz, FC Porto survived overtime in Game 2 and returned home with momentum. Now the Dragons hold a 2-1 lead and will host Game 4 on Sunday, June 14, again at Dragão Arena. A victory would secure the championship before their home crowd; a defeat would force a decisive Game 5 back in Lisbon.
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FC Porto moved within a single victory of the Portuguese basketball championship after dismantling Benfica 87-63 on Friday at Dragão Arena, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five final.
AI text based on reports by Publico, Observador, SAPO and other publishers. Published .