Villeurbanne (AFP)
Asvel Lyon-Villeurbanne, which remained on two successes against Maccabi Tel Aviv and Khimki Moscow, bowed logically but with honors (87 to 78) before CSKA Moscow, leader of the Euroleague, Tuesday in its Salle de l'Astroballe de Villeurbanne, in the match of the 16th day of the event.
This time the march was too high for the Villeurbannais, 15th in the standings, against an opponent, a solid leader on a series of eleven consecutive victories in the competition and who has always led during a lively meeting.
European champion in 2019, CSKA with 87 points even remained within the average of its offensive standards for the season.
Asvel has never given up, however.
TJ Parker's team had the merit of believing it, seeking to stay in touch with the score, keeping the hope of passing in front until the last quarter.
The Muscovites managed to take a fifteen point lead in the 2nd quarter (42-27) but the French champions, carried by Allerik Freeman (13 pts), David Lighty (12 pts) and Guerschon Yabusele (16 pts) have nevertheless managed to bring the score to 46-41 at half-time thanks to a good three-point address.
However, the Rhone have found it difficult to get the best of the defense of the Russian club with only 54.3% on two-pointers (19/35).
Villeurbanne still managed to get back to -3 in the third quarter (47-50, 49-52) but never managed to pass in front of a very talented opponent in attack, once again led by the American Mike James, best scorer in the Euroleague while being a magnificent host.
Omnipresent (36 minutes of play), James with another 31 points and six assists, was decisive in the success of his team as the Serbian Nikola Milutinov (17 points).
For its part, Asvel was also heavily penalized by the premature exit of Moustapha Fall (2.18 m), one of its major players, after two personal faults in the 7th minute.
Also injured in the ribs, Fall did not return to the floor afterwards.
© 2020 AFP