By Rigas Dardalis/ dardalis@eurohoops.net
After an impressive first half (52-35) France played with fire, as Latvia got back in the game by scoring 30 points in the third quarter, but in the end “Les Bleus” got the 102-91 win. After this result there is a three way tie on the top of Group E standings between Lithuania (3-1), Serbia (3-1), and France (3-1), Ukraine has a 2-2 record and the fourth place that leads to quarterfinals, Latvia is one step behind (1-3) and Belgium is left out of the race (0-4).
The top three teams already secured the qualification to quarterfinals but Ukraine is in danger of losing the last ticket, if they get beaten by Lithuania and Latvia prevails against Belgium in the last gameday of the tournament.
As for the game, Alexis Ajinca was the top scorer of the winners with 25 points, Nicolas Batum had a great night with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, while Tony Parker also scored 23 points. Latvia tried to mount a come back in the second half, as Dairis Bertans (photo) had 28 points, but France managed to protect its lead.