By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
ASVEL and Theo Maledon were extra motivated by playing against the EuroLeague leaders who come from the same country.
That was evident in their 98-93 win over Paris with Maledon adding one more stellar game on his season with 22 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, while he sealed the deal with two free throws and 10 seconds left in the game.
Mbaye Ndiaye added 19 points and Neal Sako had 14 for the winning side, which got to a 6-9 record, tied with teams like Baskonia and Real Madrid.
“Everybody stepped up and I couldn’t be more proud of the team”, Maledon said after the final buzzer, “we don’t back down to anyone and we believe in ourselves”.
Paris with an 11-4 record remains on top of the standings, but couldn’t get the win despite a monster game with 29 points and eight assists by TJ Shorts, while Nadir Hifi added 20 points.
Α thriller until the end
In total the French guard had 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals, sealing the deal with two free throws with 10 seconds left in the game.
Paris closed the first period leading by two (24-22), but thanks to a 12-3 run, ASVEL built a 42-36 advantage with five minutes left in the second quarter.
The hosts got in control and at halftime the score was 49-40. However, Paris turned things around with a 12-3 run in three minutes to tie the score at 52 with TJ Shorts reaching the 17-point mark.
ASVEL didn’t lose their mind and the lead, reacting with seven unanswered points (59-52) and led even by nine (67-58).
Still, Paris answered back and tied the score at 69 with ASVEL entering the fourth quarter with a one-point lead (72-71).
Melvin Ajinca opened the last period with a big three for ASVEL (75-71), but Shorts tied the score again at 77 and Paris got an 82-81 lead after two free throws by Leopold Cavaliere.
That was the last time Paris got the advantage. ASVEL answered with an 8-0 run, completed with a big three by Maledon entering the last two minutes (89-82).
Hifi with a three answered back for Paris (89-85) only for Nando De Colo to add his own big shot beyond the arc (92-85).
Paris continued to push and with 10 seconds left trimmed the lead to three (96-93), only for Maledon to seal the deal.
Photo credit: EuroLeague