By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Bouncing back from a home loss in Game 1 and a sluggish start to Game 2, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne beat Cholet, 82-66, to tie the best-of-three series and force a do-or-die Game 3 back in Astroballe.
Former NBA player Elie Okobo poured a game-high 26 points, including four triples in Game 2 Friday. Grabbing ten rebounds shaped a double-double for the explosive guard. American point guard Chris Jones threw in 18 more points.
Facing elimination, the team guided by T.J. Parker stayed alive in France’s Betclic Elite LNB Pro A Quarterfinals. But top-seeded Villeurbanne requires one more win to advance to the Semifinals.
Cholet was limited to 20 points throughout the second half failing to make out a second straight competitive battle between the two sides. Dominic Artis set the team-high at 14 points.
Chase Simon went for 17 points as JDA Dijon edged Limoges CSP, 70-68, and swept the series 2-0. Khadeen Carrington added 15 points for the fifth-seeded team. Experienced swingman Nicolas Lang producing a game-high 21 points was not enough for the visitors.
La Jeanne will take on Villeurbanne or Cholet in the next round.
Elsewhere, SIG Strasbourg and Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez both enjoy 1-0 leads thanks to wins on the road against AS Monaco and Boulogne Metropolitans 92, respectively. The remaining Game 2 fixtures will be played tomorrow, Saturday.
Moving into the Semifinals, a best-of-five series will decide the two teams making the Finals. The ensuing best-of-five series will then determine the 2021-22 champion.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net