By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A close game in LDLC Arena and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne wrapped up the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with a win.
Edging out FC Barcelona, 76-72, completed the final Round of the Regular Season on Friday.
The team coached by Pierric Poupet finished the continental campaign at 9-25.
With a three-pointer stretching an early lead to a game-high margin of nine points, Paris Lee joined the 1,000-point club in the first team possession of the second quarter. The steals leader in the EuroLeague ended up with ten points and eight assists alongside one more steal.
Joffrey Lauvergne registered a game-high 20 points, including the go-ahead bucket with 59.5 seconds remaining in the exciting Round 34 affair. “We had nothing to play in the second part of the season in the EuroLeague. But we knew the more games we could win, people would be more happy,” the 32-year-old center talked about the tremendous support from the crowd.
Starting center Youssoupha Fall added 15 points, eight rebounds, one steal, and one block. “We did our best to finish this season in the best way,” mentioned the 29-year-old native of Dakar.
“We kept fighting all the way. We faced a good Barcelona team, of course. Even missing a couple of players, they are still a huge team in the EuroLeague. So, congratulations to my guys,” added head coach Poupet.
Roger Grimau’s side was officially placed on the fourth seed of the Playoffs bracket on Thursday and during the visit to Lyon was informed of Olympiacos claiming the fifth seed and setting up a best-of-five series between the European powerhouses. “They are a great team, for sure,” the Barcelona play-caller reserved further analysis of the Reds closer to Game 1 in Palau Blaugrana on April 23.
Falling to 22-12 at the end of the Regular Season snapped a five-game winning streak across all competitions. Rokas Jokubaitis, opposite his former teammate at Zalgiris, Lauvergne, was the only double-digit scorer with 12 points to his name. Young center James Nnaji combined nine points with nine rebounds and two blocks.
Hernangomez stays in Barcelona
Dealing with discomfort in his right knee, Willy Hernangomez missed the trip to France. Also out, Nicolas Laprovittola was rested. Up next for Barca is an away fixture opposite Girona on Sunday. The defending champions sit third in Spain’s Liga Endesa Regular Season at 19-9.
Ranked third in France’s Betclic Elite behind a 20-8 record and focusing on the domestic league for the rest of the season, ASVEL is on the road against ADA Blois on Sunday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net