Istanbul (AFP)
Villeurbanne was narrowly defeated 72-68 Tuesday on the floor of Efes Istanbul, one of the top names in European basketball, but will be able to rely on a promising performance for the rest of the Euroleague.
Four days after a bitter loss against another great, Real Madrid (91-84), the game seemed to turn to the demonstration after the 20-4 cashed in the second quarter.
A delay that TJ Parker's men have managed to plug at the cost of a debauchery of fatal energy in the last moments.
With three successes for eight losses, Asvel remains in a frustrating 17th place in view of the ambitions displayed on the floor.
Scheduled for October 23, the match had been postponed due to cases of Covid-19 in the Villeurbannais workforce who had not been able to field enough players.
Overtaken by the armada of Efes, which pranced at the head of the Euroleague before the end of competitions last March, Asvel exploded before half-time, leaving the field open to the offensive assets of the Turks.
After the locker room, the aggressive defense of the Villeurbanne stopped the Istanbul festival thanks to six blocks from the impressive American Kevarrius Hayes.
Reassured defensively, Asvel went forward, with an address found at three points, as on an action at four points from David Lighty, a shot from 9 meters accompanied by a free throw, which allowed his to go back in front of the buzzer seven minutes.
Faced with Efes Istanbul, who have won all their matches in the Turkish league, Antoine Diot's teammates believed in the feat, even leading by six points with four minutes remaining.
But Asvel ended up cracking, overwhelmed by the penetrations of the American leader Shane Larkin (18 points) and his Serbian teammate Vasilije Micic (22 points).
The Villeurbanne will play a new away match on Friday on the floor of Bayern Munich, 3rd in the standings.
© 2020 AFP