The parenthesis of the Coupe de France weekend in Trélazé is closed. Place in the final sprint in Betclic Elite. In a race for the play-offs still as tight, Limoges made its return to the top 8 by dominating without shaking Orleans (83-63) Tuesday evening, during the 25th day. Demonte Harper led the way with 24 points, helped by Nicolas Lang (17).
Massimo Cancellieri’s players have won five of their last six meetings and overtake Nanterre, who fell to Portel (71-87). The Northerners are moving a little further from the red zone and confirm their recovery since the return of Éric Girard to the bench on January 4. The iconic coach has bagged six of ESSM’s nine victories in Betclic Elite.
Dijon surprised at Fos
The surprise of the evening came from Provence with the victory of Fos against Dijon (97-79), fourth in the standings. The Byers had a dream evening, launched by the first six minutes during which they missed no shots (24-14, 6th). They were not outdone on the other side of the field, like a spectacular counter inflicted by DJ Stephens on Robin Ducôté who dunked on the counter-attack.
For his second match with Fos, the American winger (23 points), landed from Ukraine, was a perfect lieutenant for Lassan Kromah (30 points, Championship record). Precise behind the arc, he also made the public at the Palais des Sports de Marseille admire his relaxation on a dunk in transition, he who had won the specialty competition at the All-Star Game LNB in 2017 and 2019.
The JDA still drank the cup in the third quarter, helpless against the activity of Bodian Massa under the circle (22 points, 9 rebounds). Fos returns to a victory of Orleans first non-relegation
Paris beats Strasbourg to the finish
Condemned to fight for its maintenance in the elite, Paris Basket breathes better and better. After Nanterre, the promoted went to win a second victory in a row outside, this time at Rhénus de Strasbourg (87-82). SIG led 82-74 with two minutes remaining before collapsing. An unsportsmanlike foul inflicted on Jean-Baptiste Maille revived Paris. The two nuggets of the capital club then took over.
Juhann Begarin (21 points), drafted by Boston last year, planted an award-winning shot over the fault to give his team the advantage (83-82, 39th). The SIG responded by sending Ike Udanoh to challenge Ismaël Kamagaté inside. But the young pivot (21) repelled the Alsatian’s attempt before slamming a dunk on an offering from Ryan Boatright (82-85, 39th).
Gaylor Curier then missed the equalizer and Strasbourg fell to eighth place. Paris (14th) has three wins ahead of Châlons-Reims and Fos, the two relegated.
Finally, Cholet won at the finish in Gravelines (88-86). DJ Hogg (16 points) delivered Laurent Vila’s team by scoring the winning basket after capturing an offensive rebound in a too passive BCM racket. There were then 26 seconds left to play but neither Kenny Kadji nor Ray McCallum found the target on their last attempt.
