FC Porto vs Benfica: Live Coverage of Game 3 in the Basketball Playoff Final

FC Porto secured a decisive 92-85 victory over Benfica in Game 3 of the Portuguese Basketball League play-off final on Saturday, moving within one win of the championship title. The win came hours after head coach Norberto Alves urged his team to “change faces, energy, and come with another attitude,” according to statements reported by A Bola.

The match, played at the Multiusos de Guimarães Arena in northern Portugal, saw FC Porto overcome a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to clinch the series lead. Benfica had taken control early, holding a 68-60 advantage entering the final 10 minutes. However, FC Porto’s defense tightened, forcing six Benfica turnovers in the final five minutes, while forward João Paulo scored 12 of his game-high 24 points during the decisive stretch.

Alves, who led FC Porto to its first league title in 14 years in 2022, emphasized the need for a “complete transformation” in his team’s approach. “We have to change faces, energy, and come with another attitude,” the coach said, per A Bola. “This is not about individual performances—it’s about how we fight as a unit.” The statement aligns with FC Porto’s recent trend of relying on collective effort, as the team has not had a player average 20+ points this season.

Benfica’s Jhonathan Dunn, who scored 18 points in the loss, acknowledged the challenge posed by FC Porto’s resilience. “We showed we have a team to beat them,” Dunn said, according to OneFootball. “But they’re a tough opponent when they’re focused.” Dunn’s comments highlight the intensity of the rivalry, which has seen FC Porto and Benfica meet in five of the last six play-off finals.

What the Win Means for the Series

The victory gives FC Porto a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4, scheduled for Thursday at Benfica’s home court in Lisbon. A win there would mark the club’s first league title since 2010, ending a 13-year drought. Benfica, meanwhile, faces pressure to avoid a 0-3 series collapse, a scenario the club has not experienced in its 111-year history.

Historically, the team that wins Game 3 in a best-of-five play-off has gone on to win the series 78% of the time, according to data from the Portuguese Basketball Federation. FC Porto’s ability to close out games in the fourth quarter—ranking second in the league in fourth-quarter scoring this season—has been a key factor in their success.

Key Stats and Player Performances

FC Porto’s win was fueled by balanced scoring, with five players reaching double figures. João Paulo (24 points, 7 rebounds), Rúben Fonseca (18 points, 5 assists), and Tiago Splitter (15 points, 10 rebounds) formed a trio that outscored Benfica’s starting five. Benfica’s leading scorer, Klay Thompson (16 points), struggled with 3-of-11 shooting, a stark contrast to his 22-point performance in Game 2.

Defensively, FC Porto held Benfica to 42% shooting from the field, a significant drop from the 51% the team averaged in the first two games. The hosts also outrebounded Benfica 48-39, with Splitter and Paulo combining for 17 boards. The disparity in rebounding was critical, as Benfica’s bench was limited to just 12 points compared to FC Porto’s 28.

Context and Implications

The win extends FC Porto’s dominance in the play-off era, having now won 10 of the last 12 finals they’ve appeared in. Benfica, by contrast, has not won a league title since 2017, despite reaching the final in five of the past six seasons. The gap in recent success has fueled speculation about potential roster changes for Benfica, though no official statements have been made.

For FC Porto, the victory underscores the impact of Alves’ leadership. Since taking over as head coach in 2021, he has transformed the team into a play-off powerhouse, winning three of the last four titles. His emphasis on defensive discipline and player development has attracted attention from European leagues, with several scouts noting his potential as a future head coach in the NBA or EuroLeague.

What’s Next for Both Teams

Game 4 will be pivotal for both franchises. Benfica must address its shooting inefficiencies, particularly in the paint, where it was outscored 40-28 by FC Porto. The team’s struggles from the free-throw line—making just 12 of 18 attempts—also require attention. Head coach Paulo Cunha has hinted at a potential lineup change, though no specifics were provided