End of series for Asvel which remained on three European successes, including a prestigious one against CSKA Moscow: the 17-3 inflicted on the Serbs (to go up from 67-50 to 70-67) was not enough for the men of TJ Parker.
The awakening of Elie Okobo, on a cloud since the start of the season, was too late with 7 of his 16 points in the last two minutes.
Opposite, the Serbian interior Nikola Kalinic, who arrived in Belgrade from Valencia in the offseason, carried the Red Star (22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) against Rhone residents decimated by injuries.
To the unavailability of rookie Raymar Morgan recovering until the end of 2021 and the muscle injury to a calf of Antoine Diot - absent for three or four weeks - were added two new injuries this week.
David Lighty will miss two months with a broken right hand and young pivot Victor Wembanyama two to three weeks with a broken finger.
This third European setback does not call into question Asvel's current place in the top 8, the play-off zone.
But a tough schedule awaits Tony Parker's club with the reception of Real Madrid and then Barcelona next week.
Two of the big Euroleague stables.
© 2021 AFP