By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda played with the fire that LDLC ASVEL had after their second coaching change in the season and finally got burned.
With former assistant coach Pierric Poupet being the head coach and despite missing injured Nando De Colo the hosts got the 100-91 win over the Serbs, who lost a crucial game in their quest to make it to the play-in phase.
Paris Lee with 23 points and crucial shots in the fourth quarter was the leader of the winning side, Joffrey Lauvergne added 17 points on 7/7 FG, while Nemanja Nedovic with 26 points, and Yago Dos Santos with 16 tried their best for the losing side.
“First of all I want to congratulate my coach for his first EuroLeague win”, said Lee after the game and added: “We were prepared, we executed and played with energy. Confidence is there, we believe and we are sharing the ball, we didn’t do it at the beginning of the season”.
For ASVEL this was a matter of pride, having a 4-16 record, while Zvezda at 8-12 can still hope for a postseason spot, but this result may end up being crucial in the end.
“I want to congratulate ASVEL for the win, they played better, we didn’t play good defense, it’s not easy to win when you give up 100 points”, said Zvezda coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos.
A close game until the fourth quarter
The two teams walked hand in hand for three quarters with ASVEL entering the last quarter with a three-point advantage (70-67) and in total 16 lead changes. This all changed in the 33rd minute of the game.
With the hosts leading again by three (75-72), ASVEL had a 10-2 run to build for the first time an 11-point advantage (85-74).
Nedovic tried to react, making big shots, but Zvezda couldn’t make it closer than a 7-point game (90-83). The final period ended with a partial score of 30-21 in favor of ASVEL.
“I am more proud of my players, I don’t count. I tried to help them and I am happy that they made it, it was well deserved. Today everybody did his job, everybody cheered for his teammate”, added coach Poupet.
With ALBA which is also on the bottom of the standings coming to Lyon, Poupet also said: “We have to stay humble, this is our first winning streak of the season, let’s see if we can get a third one”.
PHOTO CREDIT: EuroLeague
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