Pinocho 86 – 83 Casa de Padua | Argentina Liga B | 24 June 2026

In a hard-fought contest that came down to the final possession, Pinocho edged out Casa de Padua 86–83 to claim a thrilling home victory in Argentina’s Liga B on June 24, 2026. The match, played at a packed venue in Greater Buenos Aires, saw both teams exchange leads multiple times before the home side found the decisive stops and free throws in the closing seconds.

Match Overview

Pinocho entered the game looking to solidify their mid-table standing, while Casa de Padua hoped to climb into playoff contention. From the opening tip, the intensity was palpable. Casa de Padua established an early rhythm thanks to crisp ball movement and high-percentage looks inside the paint. However, Pinocho answered with timely three-point shooting and aggressive drives to the rim, closing the first quarter with a narrow 24–22 lead.

The second quarter saw Casa de Padua’s bench provide a spark, pushing the visitors ahead by as many as seven points. But Pinocho’s defensive adjustments, particularly trapping the pick-and-roll, forced several turnovers that led to fast-break points. By halftime, the score was knotted at 44–44.

Second Half Drama

Out of the break, both teams traded baskets in a tense third quarter. Casa de Padua’s guard play was exceptional, repeatedly breaking down the Pinocho defense to create open looks. Yet every time the visitors appeared to seize control, Pinocho responded with clutch baskets from their veteran forward, who finished with a game-high 27 points. The home team carried a 68–66 advantage into the fourth quarter.

The final period was a war of attrition. Casa de Padua tied the game at 81–81 with under two minutes to play. Pinocho then executed a brilliant side out-of-bounds play that led to an open corner three, giving them an 84–81 lead. After a defensive stop, Pinocho split a pair of free throws to make it 85–81. Casa de Padua converted a tough layup to cut the deficit to two, but Pinocho calmly sank one more free throw to secure the 86–83 victory as the visitors’ desperation three-pointer rimmed out.

Key Contributors

• Pinocho: The home side was led by their power forward who recorded 27 points and 11 rebounds. The point guard added 18 points and 8 assists, orchestrating the offense under pressure.
• Casa de Padua: Their shooting guard poured in 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting, while the center contributed a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. However, costly turnovers in the final minute proved decisive.

Standings & Implications

With the win, Pinocho improved to 12–10 on the season, moving into a tie for seventh place in the 18-team Liga B. Casa de Padua dropped to 11–11, slipping just outside the playoff picture. The result also marked Pinocho’s third straight home win, reinforcing their reputation as a difficult opponent on their own floor.

Fans and analysts alike will remember this game as a showcase of the depth and competitiveness of Argentina’s second-tier basketball league, where every possession carries weight in the race for postseason positioning.