By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Losing the last five games opposite FC Bayern Munich was enough for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.
In the lead for most of the way, including the entire second half, the team guided by Pierric Poupet notched a win, 76-64, in BMW Park and jumped to 5-18 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season on Thursday.
Besides finally returning to the win column of the head-to-head after five losses in a row, ASVEL bounced back from two straight defeats in the 2023-24 edition of Europe’s premier club continental competition.
“I am so happy for my guys. Because they deserve it and they stick to the game plan,” noted head coach Poupet, “We had a great game.”
“Mostly, I am happy for my coach. He has been in a tough situation here. For him to step up and lead us the way he is leading us. I give a big congrats to him and my team,” Paris Lee focused on the French tactician, “We played really hard today.”
In his ninth straight EuroLeague outing with a double-digit performance index rating, Lee, the EuroLeague leader in steals, also neared his season-high with 21 points in Munich. The Illinois State product made 4/10 from the field and also dished out four assists.
Fueling a third win over 11 away fixtures in the continental campaign, towering center Youssoupha Fall paired 16 points with 13 rebounds. “This season is really tough for us. We are all happy to get this win in Munich,” he said after his second straight double-double and fourth in the 2023-24 edition of the EuroLeague, “We were more focused defensively. That made the difference.”
Paving the way with 12 points in the first half, experienced shooting guard Edwin Jackson ended up with 13 points to his name. Mike Scott threw in 12 points. Mbaye Ndiaye added six points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
For the team coached by Pablo Laso, Carsen Edwards scored 15 of his 21 points after the break but could not prevent the drop to 9-14 after three straight wins across all competitions.
“They outplayed us,” confessed the 56-year-old play-caller, two-time EuroLeague champion, “Basically, we could not rebound the ball. We did not have the rhythm.”
Luwawu-Cabarrot and Ibaka sit out, Booker hurt
A couple of key players were missing for the visitors. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot did not suit up for the Round 23 contest. Sidelined for over one month, Nando De Colo (calf) was also unavailable. Despite suiting up, Boris Dallo did not enter the court.
The German side ruled out Serge Ibaka due to slight knee discomfort and Dino Radoncic with a hip injury. Niklas Wimberg (ankle) remained out. After putting up six points, three rebounds, and one steal in ten minutes, Devin Booker rolled his ankle and was forced to an early exit. Dealing with ankle injuries from previous games, Isaac Bonga and Nick Weiler-Babb went scoreless.
“We were a little short in our rotation inside. It is not an excuse,” commented Laso, “Probably, everything happened in a bad moment.”
Double-game week action is coming up
Looking to improve to 13-3 in Germany’s easyCredit BBL, Bayern will host Hakro Merlins Crailsheim before EuroLeague’s next two-game week. Facing Baskonia on Tuesday and Olympiacos on Thursday continues the five-game homestand.
At 14-5 in Betclic Elite, the French side visits Le Mans on Saturday. Up next is Fenerbahce Beko at home and Real Madrid on the road, on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net