Basketball – Betclic Elite: ASVEL stunned by Covid-19 and Limoges, Pau podium in sight

Villeurbanne, decimated by the cases of Covid-19, lost for the third in a row in Elite, against Limoges (85-83) and saw the podium move away, unlike Pau-Orthez, one of the winners of this 14th day.

Already not spared by the injured (Wembanyama, Lighty, Morgan), ASVEL recorded four positive tests for the coronavirus, which pushed it to unsuccessfully request the postponement of its match against the CSP. The infections of James Gist, Youssoupha Fall and Kostas Antetokounmpo have completely depopulated Rhone residents in the racket. To the point of forcing the interior Dylan Osetkowski to play the entire match (26 points, 5 rebounds in 40 minutes).

Without his leader Chris Jones, one of the best elements of the start of the season, or even his coach TJ Parker, both positive too, Villeurbanne could have won. But Elie Okobo’s unbalanced shot (11 pts, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) to snatch overtime on the buzzer did not find the circle.

Pau goes on, Le Mans cracks at the finish

At the same time, Pau-Orthez took advantage of the postponed match of Strasbourg against Nanterre to overtake the SIG and place himself at the foot of the podium thanks to a spectacular victory against Roanne (109-105). As often since the start of the season, pivot Vitalis Chikoko (26 points, 8 rebounds) and point guard Justin Bibbins have been the strong men of the Elan.

Le Mans, collapsing at the end of the match against Gravelines-Dunkerque (93-89), missed the opportunity to settle in second place behind the leader Boulogne-Levallois. Metropolitans still wide first despite the postponement of their match against Portel because of “positive cases in the workforce” of Vincent Collet. The MSB, which led by 7 points (87-80) with 3 minutes remaining, conceded a 13-2 signing the end of its series of three wins.