The Asvel, fallen for the first time this season to the Astroballe against the leader Boulogne-Levallois before the international window, moved forward against the promoted Bouches-du-Rhône on Saturday.
TJ Parker's players quickly dismissed the scenario of their rout against the Metropolitans (85-67) by accelerating in the second quarter.
They were already comfortable at the break (48-29) thanks in particular to the address of William Howard (12 points, 3/4 to three points at half-time).
The French champion has also recorded several returns, those of Marcos Knight and Dylan Osetkowski, recently tested positive for Covid-19, as well as that of Antoine Diot in the legs after his calf injury (11 points in 10 minutes).
With seven successes, Asvel comes back to Monaco, second in the Elite behind the Mets (8 wins), after having overcome Châlons-Reims.
Paris Lee (14 points and 8 assists in 17 minutes) was very valuable to them in the last quarter, started in the lead by Champagne Basket (68-65).
The American leader notably allowed the Roca Team to pick up the score (70-70) of a cross chained from a shot behind the line.
Even if they played one game less, the Monegasques, deprived of Mike James for ten days due to muscle discomfort, are under threat from Villeurbanne who travels to the Principality on Tuesday having preserved this weekend his N.1 asset, Elie Okobo, left to rest.
Note the overwhelming victory of Limoges on Saturday which inflicted a 52-point gap at Gravelines-Dunkerque (100-48) and balanced its record (5 wins).
With a sixth loss in a row, Châlons-Reims holds the worst current streak for the Elite.
The Boulogne-Levallois leader will try to continue the best (8 successes in a row) against Cholet on Sunday (5:00 p.m.) at the end of the day.
© 2021 AFP