With 3.5 seconds left and the game tied at 86-86, the Spanish coach put the basketball in the right hands
Coach Laso trusted Trent Forrest to become the hero – and he delivered
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Regular Season
Round 24 of 34
Group Regular Season
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The Round 24 showdown between Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and FC Barcelona was a thriller that came down to the wire.
After a tight fourth quarter, Chima Moneke buried a three-pointer to give Baskonia an 86-82 lead in the final minute. Barca was far from done, as Juan Nunez scored around the basket, the defense forced a turnover and Kevin Punter did what Kevin Punter usually does in crunch time; he hit a jumper to tie the game, 86-86, with 3.5 seconds remaining.
After a timeout, the logical move was to give Moneke the chance to win the game. Moneke had been unstoppable all game long, logging 22 points, 9 rebounds and 8 fouls drawn for a PIR of 34.
Baskonia coach Pablo Laso opted to go in a different direction, giving Moneke the ball to inbound it, which surprised Barca. His choice was Trent Forest, who took Nunez one-on-one and found the advantage to make a one-handed jumper in the lane with just 0.5 seconds remaining.
"It was a good play drawn up by Coach, and I was just able to get to my spot and knock down the shot," Forrest said after the game. "It feels good. We haven't been on this side of these close games, so it's good for us to finally be able to get a win."
"Why Trent? I think it was a situation in which we had to try to score close to the rim. Trent has a very good touch around the basket, and I thought it would be difficult that they helped," Coach Laso said. "I think it as very surprising from them that Chima [Moneke] inbounded the ball, and he made the perfect choice and Trent attacked the rim very well in a situation in which we knew it would be hard for them to double-team. He has a good touch there and this is why we chose him. Nikos [Rogkavopoulos], Markus [Howard] and Tima [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot] generated good space for Trent to attack the rim. I am very happy that he hit the shot."
Baskonia did a lot of things well during the game just to be in that situation. The team recorded 6 blocks, dished 21 assists and was very effective inside the arc. Baskonia made 26 of 37 two-pointers (70.3%), while Barca finished the game with 25 of 47 two-point shooting (53.2%), 18 assists and 1 block. Baskonia win the rebounding battle 33-26. Baskonia had a PIR of 107, far more than Barca's 83 in a two-point victory.
Moneke made sure to praise his teammate after his game-winning shot. It's been a long process for Forrest, who is showcasing his best basketball lately.
"I want to give a special shout out to Trent Forrest though, just because coming from America to play in the EuroLeague is not easy. I remember telling him in preseason that there would be an adjustment period and he's one of the best teammates I have had. He never complains, is always listening and is very accountable," Moneke said.
"And now we are seeing the Trent for us that I knew we would see. I'm happy for him, that he got his moment today. He is going to be a big, big part for us."