Paris (AFP)
Monaco basketball players had to tear themselves away to win at Bourg-en-Bresse 74 to 73 on Tuesday evening, while Villeurbanne came back on the heels of Dijon in second place, after his victory against Boulogne-Levallois and the defeat the JDA against Strasbourg.
In these three meetings between the first six of the French championship, the JDA is the only member of the top three to have given in at the end of the match.
Monaco, who was led by a point one minute from the buzzer (73-72), took the lead on a basket from Abdoulaye N'Doye (74-73) and it was finally Mathias Lessort (18 pts, 6 rebounds), on an interception three seconds from the end, which ensured the success of the Principality's players.
Currently at the top of the Elite, Monaco has 21 wins in 25 matches played (84%), and must still play nine matches by June 22, the deadline imposed by Fiba to release the internationals.
The National Basketball League hopes to award the title of champion of France at the end of a Final 8 played at the end of the regular season on a weekend between the first eight.
The 18 Elite captains, however, sent a letter to the LNB asking them to abandon the idea of a Final 8.
Behind Monaco, Dijon gave way, beaten in overtime 87 to 81 by Strasbourg, who was once again able to count on Bonzie Colson (30 points).
With this sixth defeat of the season, the JDA only displays a ratio of 79% of victories, and sees Villeurbanne come back with great strides.
At home in his Astroballe, Asvel beat Boulogne-Levallois 81 to 63. TJ Parker's men sign their 10th straight victory in Elite and consolidate their third place with 21 wins and a ratio of 78%.
"We found good momentum, in addition as there is no longer a European Cup, we can really only focus on the championship. We manage to unfold", underlined at the microphone of Sport in France the pivot Moustapha Fall.
The top quartet of the Elite made up of Monaco, Dijon, Villeurbanne and Strasbourg are slowly starting to stand out from the rest of the teams.
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