A basketball game is played until the end. Despite a remarkable and intense second period (49-42), Asvel were unable to beat Olympiakos a second time in four days, after creating a small sensation in the port of Athens ( 63-69). Tony Parker’s club, however, led by 3 points with 9 seconds remaining (86-83) … before a long-distance shot from the best Greek player, Kostas Sloukas, sent the match into overtime, unless ‘a second of the term.
Still ahead during the first three minutes, the team of TJ Parker, carried by the duo Norris Cole (21 points, 6 assists) and David Lighty (18 points, 7 rebounds) only gave in at the end, physically started, just like Lighty. In the end, Asvel even let slip the basket-average on a last lay-up of the dragster Shaquielle McKissic (23 points including 10/13 on free throws) at the buzzer. An end to the game to forget.
Kostas Sloukas (11) was instrumental in the success of the Piraeus club. (Javier Borrego / AFP7 / SPORTS PRESS / Sports Press)
At the microphone of RMC Sport, McKissic paid tribute to Kostas Sloukas, also author of 23 points (9/9 on the line), and permanent poison for the defense of Villeurbanne. ” Winning here in France was very important to us and Kostas performed another miracle with his 3-point basket at the end of regulation time. “
Former pillar of Villeurbanne (2011-2016 then 2018-2020), the French international interior Livio Jean-Charles, who joined “the Reds” this summer, also agreed, despite a limited playing time (4 minutes): “I think Asvel could do a lot better at the end, but so much the better for us. “
The Hellenic club therefore recorded its eleventh victory and therefore repositioned itself for the play-offs – reserved for the first eight of the regular phase – while Villeurbanne conceded a fourteenth setback in twenty matches which weighed down its balance sheet a little more.
Above all, Asvel has barely 48 hours to get its head straight before the arrival of Valence and Louis Labeyrie on Friday night at the Astroballe. The obstacle course continues.
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