Strasbourg (AFP)
Dijon chained Thursday a sixth victory in the Elite basketball championship by dominating Strasbourg outside 82 to 72, at the start of the 16th day, and consolidated its third place pending the matches on Friday and Saturday.
The Dijonnais, in full confidence, stifled the team of French coach Vincent Collet with their collective game and were effective in attack to win the Rhénus.
"It's an incredible start to the season. We will have to do the same in the second half of the season to continue," said Alexandre Chassang at the microphone of RMC Sport after the meeting.
Already in trouble Monday on the Limoges parquet (defeat 77-61), the Strasbourg, dressed in a Christmas collector's jersey, did not exist long against the Burgundians.
The Dijonnais accelerated in the second quarter, leading comfortably by 15 points at halftime (48-33), well led by Axel Julien (12 points in total), David Holston and Alex Chassang (13 pts).
Despite the awakening of the SIG in the second period, which returned to a gap possession under the impulse of the pivot Ali Traore and his 14 units, Dijon maintained its lead to finally win 82 to 72.
The SIG is losing for the fourth time in a row in all consecutive competitions and misses a new opportunity to win a ticket to the Leaders Cup organized in mid-February at Disneyland Paris, competition for which it is the title holder.
For its part, Dijon, solid third, chains a sixth consecutive victory in the Elite championship and puts pressure on Monaco, just ahead of the classification (2nd), which remains on eight successes and which moves to Cholet Friday (20.45).
In front, Asvel, the leader beaten for the first time in the season on Monday at Le Mans, receives Saturday (17:00) Gravelines-Dunkerque at l'Astroballe.
The best players in the French championship will meet Sunday in Bercy for the traditional All Star Game at the end of the year.
© 2019 AFP