The first ticket for the semi-finals of the championship fell into the hands of Dijon, winner of Limoges in their room 70 to 68, three days after a 90 to 74 success in Limoges land at Beaublanc.
At La Meilleraie and under the eyes of French pivot Rudy Gobert, trained in Cholet before taking over the management of the NBA and Utah Jazz, the Choletais led by 13 points in the heart of the second quarter (38-25 ).
The revolt came from the side of Asvel by Elie Okobo, who chained two three-point baskets and two free throws, to bring the double champions of France in title (2019 and 2021) to the score.
With only five points behind at the break (46-41), the Villeurbannais stifled the attack of Cholet defensively, gradually widening a definitive gap, in particular thanks to Chris Jones in the last quarter.
The place for the semi-finals between Villeurbanne and Cholet will therefore be decided at the Astroballe in a decisive match 3, which Dijon managed to avoid by once again dominating Limoges, this time in its sports hall.
The JDA dominated the debates, but had a little scare with only two points in advance and a last possession for Limoges, finally missed by Demonte Harper.
"We just missed the last possession, we played an excellent match, we missed the last shot at the end. We are disappointed to lose", commented Massimo Cancellieri, coach of CSP Limoges, at the microphone of beIN Sports after the encounter.
"The game could go both ways. I don't think we played our best game, Limoges shot very well with a fairly high success percentage. We kept fighting. In the end, it's the reward for the difficult season that we have known", rejoiced Nedad Markovic, coach of Dijon, at the microphone of beIN Sports.
Vice-champion of France last year, Dijon will face the winner of the quarter between Asvel and Cholet in the semi-finals.
© 2022 AFP