Real, who recorded their eighth victory, returned to 2nd place tied with Armani Milan, the leader who will play in Kazan on Wednesday, at the top of the standings including the Villeurbannais, beaten by Red Star Belgrade on November 11 (73- 67) are 7th after losing four times for six wins.
Deprived of David Lighty, Victor Wembanyama or William Howard, Asvel, who only had the advantage once, on a three-point shot from Elie Okobo (3-2, 1st) was quickly stifled by his opponent.
The Madrilenians led by thirteen units (27-14) in the 8th minute of a first quarter during which the champions of France did not obtain any rebound, against ten for Real led in particular by Fabien Causeur and Walter Tavares .
In the end, in the rebound sector, the Spanish team was much superior to Asvel (39 against 21).
The Villeurbannais, still carried by Okobo, top scorer in the match (26 points), Dylan Ostekowski (14 pts) and Chris Jones (12), and quite effective in outside shots (11/22, 50%) have tried to offer a reaction after the first break.
They came back three lengths from the Madrilenians (34-37, 14th) but the latter managed to regain a little lead to lead 51-43 at half-time then again by thirteen points in the 26th minute (60- 47).
At the start of the last quarter, Real, with a great success on shots (16/28, 57.1%) led by Fabien Causeur (25 points), the former villeurbanne Guershon Yabusele (18 pts) and Walter Tavares ( 12 pts), managed to lead 75-54 (+21), a sufficient lead to resist Asvel's ultimate reaction.
© 2021 AFP