Flamengo survives Minas in another nail-biter

BELO HORIZONTE (Brazil) – Another game, another game-clinching block for Flamengo.

Just like Rafa Mineiro's block seal the win Monday night against Instituto, this time Lucas Martinez became the hero, denying David Jackson's potential game-tying jumpshot and granting the red and black a 96-93 win against Minas.

Marquinhos had given Flamengo the lead with this cold-blooded step-back three-pointer moments earlier:

 

The timeless veteran led Flamengo with 20 points and 8 rebounds, providing a handful of winning plays down the stretch.

Those were badly needed, as Minas mounted a furious comeback in the second half after being by double digits early in the third quarter.

David Jackson kept them in hunt all night with a game-high 31 points on 12/17 shooting.

Fellow American Shaquille Karmel Johnson joined him late in the game and finished with 21 on 4/7 from downtown.

 

Despite shooting a much higher percentage from the field, Minas just couldn’t keep up with Flamengo's outside shooting.

The squad from Rio de Janeiro made 16 of their 35 attempts from long-range, with six different players connecting on at least a pair.

Martinez made 5 of 8 en route to 19 points and was also one of six Flamengo players in double digits – making up for the absences of Olivinha and Argentine point guard Franco Balbi, who was injured early in the first quarter.

Flamengo remained undefeated at 3-0 and now sit atop Group D of Basketball Champions League Americas, while Minas is now 1-3 – having lost both games at home in the current window.

 

FIBA