Shock at the top in Betclic Elite, but can Paris really overthrow Monaco?
Undisputed leader of Betclic Élite, Monaco this evening challenges its surprising runner-up, Paris Basketball. A peak of the season which promises a lot, but whose main interest is to know if there really is a French team capable of standing in the way of the Roca Team.
In 13 matches, only the surprising Nancy team managed to bring down Betclic Élite leader Monaco. A defeat a priori attributable to an insane schedule for the Roca Team, even if the Lorraines, currently fifth, are having a great season. The Monegasque defense had not taken more than 80 points in the Championship, having conceded 94 that day, under the leadership of the Jamaican Shevon Thompson, a serious candidate for the title of MVP of the season. But that’s another debate.
Since then, the Roca Team has certainly drank the broth on the floor of Real Madrid in the Euroleague, but overall, it has found its cruising speed. This is evidenced by this series of 4 victories in all competitions, the last impressive this Thursday on the continental scene against Olympiakos.
On the hexagonal level, it’s difficult to do better. 12 victories in 13 matches therefore, the best attack of Betclic Élite (86.6 points), best team at three points, which is logical given the depth of the bench available. The worst is that La Roca seems not to force itself, managing its matches and its squad with real pragmatism, for an unblemished result.
And of course, Monaco has Mike James. The American leader is certainly more used in the Euroleague, a competition in which he is quite simply the best scorer. But there is no doubt that it will be put to good use this Sunday. Because he is in stunning form, but if we had to find a fault, it is that he still seems less concerned with the daily bread of the Championship. It’s a slight flaw.
So, on the floor of the French champion who is in good shape and led by perhaps the best player in Europe, what can Paris BasketBall do? Count on its dominant duo, that formed by coach Tuomas Iisalo and leader TJ Shorts. Both arrived from Bonn, finalist of the EuroCoupe last season, they quickly transformed the Parisian team, to the point of making it a heavyweight in Betclic Élite.
And the result is astonishing. In the Euro Cup, the Parisians reign over their group at the halfway point, with 8 victories in 9 matches. In the Championship, it’s in the same vein. 10 wins in 13 games, Shorts is the third best scorer, and the best passer of the season. A great success. So what are Parisians missing to have a chance?
Of their four defeats this season, three were conceded by a margin of 5 points or less. For a single victory in these conditions, and again, after extra time, having achieved a miracle at the end of regulation time (among the Lions in the Euro Cup). The conclusion is simple: if Paris plays its basketball, it is unstoppable. But that is still unlikely to happen this Sunday.
This match should therefore serve as a learning experience for Paris Basket, which is destined to rub shoulders with European gloves in the future. Parisians will have one in front of them at Gaston-Médecin, the opportunity to see what they are made of. On paper, Monaco is the big favorite to get another victory and fly into Betclic Elite, where it will retain the lead whatever happens. There remains the glorious uncertainty of sport.
2023-12-03 07:10:25
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