Elan Béarnais Force Match 3 in Betclic Élite Final After 81-72 Win Over Poitiers
PAU-LACQ-ORTHEZ, France — Elan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez will play for a spot in Betclic Élite’s top-tier Pro B division after defeating Poitiers 81-72 in Game 2 of their best-of-three final series, forcing a decisive Game 3 at home on Thursday. The victory, secured in front of a charged crowd at the Palais des Sports de Pau, keeps the Béarnais alive in their quest for promotion.
The win marks the second time this season Pau-Lacq-Orthez has overcome a deficit to advance in a high-stakes series, following their dramatic overtime victory over Nantes-Rezé in the playoffs. With the series now tied 1-1, the team will look to close out the championship at home, where they’ve won 11 of their last 12 games.
Key Takeaways
- Series tied 1-1: Pau-Lacq-Orthez leads the series 1-0 after Game 1 but lost Game 2 72-81, forcing a Game 3 at Palais des Sports de Pau (Thursday, June 18, 20:00 UTC+2).
- Home advantage: Pau-Lacq-Orthez hold a 11-1 record at home this season, including 11 straight wins in Pau.
- Poitiers’ struggles: The team is 2-5 in their last seven games and has lost three straight road games.
- Promotion implications: A Betclic Élite title grants automatic promotion to Pro B, France’s second-tier league.
How Pau-Lacq-Orthez Turned the Tide
Poitiers entered Game 2 with momentum after a 78-73 victory in Game 1 at home, but Pau-Lacq-Orthez’s depth and defensive intensity proved decisive. The Béarnais led by as many as 15 points in the second quarter before Poitiers cut the lead to single digits late in the game.
Key moments included:
- 18-12 lead (Q2)**: Pau-Lacq-Orthez’s guards, led by Théo Maledon (18 points, 7 assists), controlled the tempo early.
- Defensive stand**: Poitiers’ Jalen McDaniels (24 points) was held to just 5-of-17 shooting in the second half.
- Clutch free throws**: Pau-Lacq-Orthez’s Nicco Mannion (14 points, 8 rebounds) went 8-of-9 from the line in the final five minutes.
Pau-Lacq-Orthez’s bench contributed 28 points, including a career-high 16 from Alexis Ajinça, who played 32 minutes off the bench.
Game 2 Stats: Pau-Lacq-Orthez vs. Poitiers
| Team | Points | FG% | 3P% | FT% | Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elan Béarnais | 81 | 48.4% | 35.7% | 85.7% | 42 | 18 | 12 |
| Poitiers | 72 | 42.1% | 30.0% | 75.0% | 38 | 14 | 15 |
Source: Betclic Élite official box score
What This Means for the Betclic Élite Championship
With the series now tied, Pau-Lacq-Orthez will look to close out the championship at home, where they’ve been nearly unstoppable this season. The team’s ability to manage the series has been a hallmark of their playoff run, having already overcome deficits in their quarterfinal and semifinal series.
For Poitiers, the pressure mounts as they travel to Pau for a potential elimination game. The team has struggled in away games this postseason, losing three straight road contests. Their 2-5 record in their last seven games also raises questions about their ability to sustain momentum in a best-of-three format.
Promotion stakes: The Betclic Élite title grants automatic promotion to Pro B, France’s second-tier league. Pau-Lacq-Orthez, who finished the regular season in second place, are looking to build on their strong campaign, while Poitiers aim to secure their first-ever promotion to Pro B.
How Pau-Lacq-Orthez Outcoached Poitiers
Head coach Vincent Collet made key adjustments after Poitiers’ strong Game 1 performance. According to team sources, the strategy focused on:
- Defensive rotations**: Pau-Lacq-Orthez’s defense held Poitiers to just 30.0% shooting from three, a stark contrast to the 40.0% they allowed in Game 1.
- Bench utilization**: The team’s depth came into play, with six players scoring in double figures, including Ajinça’s 16-point outing.
- Free-throw discipline**: Pau-Lacq-Orthez’s 85.7% shooting from the line in the final five minutes proved decisive.
Poitiers’ head coach, Jérôme Reuter, admitted in post-game remarks that his team “didn’t execute well enough in the clutch.” According to La République des Pyrénées, Reuter emphasized the need to “tighten up defensively and improve our free-throw shooting.”
Game 3 Preview: Pau-Lacq-Orthez at Home
When: Thursday, June 18, 2024 — 20:00 UTC+2 (Paris time) / 18:00 UTC+1 (London time) / 13:00 UTC-5 (New York time)
Where: Palais des Sports de Pau (Capacity: 5,000)
TV: The match will be broadcast live on LNB.tv and L’Équipe 21.
Pau-Lacq-Orthez will look to close out the series in front of their passionate home crowd. Key storylines to watch:
- Defensive intensity**: Pau-Lacq-Orthez’s defense has been the difference-maker in this series. Expect them to continue pressuring Poitiers’ guards.
- Poitiers’ bench**: The team’s depth will be tested, as they’ll need contributions from their bench to overcome the deficit.
- Maledon’s leadership**: With the series on the line, Théo Maledon (18 points, 7 assists in Game 2) will be under scrutiny to deliver another strong performance.
Context: Pau-Lacq-Orthez’s Playoff Run
This is the third time in four years that Pau-Lacq-Orthez has reached the Betclic Élite final. The team has become a consistent contender in France’s second-tier league, known for their strong defense and clutch performances.
In 2021, Pau-Lacq-Orthez lost in the final to Le Mans, but they’ve since built a roster capable of competing for the title. This season, they’ve averaged 92.3 points per game and allowed just 80.1, a defensive identity that has carried them through the playoffs.
Poitiers, meanwhile, are making their first Betclic Élite final appearance. The team has improved significantly under Reuter, but this is their first opportunity to secure promotion to Pro B.
What Fans Are Saying
The atmosphere at Palais des Sports de Pau has been electric leading up to Game 3. Local fans have taken to social media to express their excitement and support for the team.
Poitiers fans, while disappointed with the Game 2 loss, remain hopeful. According to Sud Ouest, many supporters are already planning to travel to Pau for Game 3, determined to give their team one last chance to force a Game 4.
How to Follow Game 3
Game 3 will be the decisive match in the Betclic Élite final. Here’s how to catch all the action:
- Live stream: LNB.tv (official broadcast)
- TV coverage: L’Équipe 21 (France)
- Official updates: Follow Elan Béarnais and Poitiers on social media for real-time developments.
- Box score: Official stats will be available on LNB.fr immediately after the match.
The winner of Game 3 will secure the Betclic Élite title and automatic promotion to Pro B, while the loser will be eliminated from the playoffs.
Will Pau-Lacq-Orthez close out the series at home, or can Poitiers force a Game 4? Share your predictions in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Archysport for live updates and analysis from Game 3.
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