By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Paris won the BKT EuroCup, claimed the Leaders Cup, and now advances to the Betclic Elite Finals.
The team from the French capital secured a spot in the decisive Championship series alongside defending champs Monaco by defeating LDLC ASVEL 98-92 in Game 5 of the semifinals.
T.J. Shorts delivered another splendid performance, leading Paris with 28 points and nine assists, scoring crucial buckets in the final minutes.
Nadir Hifi followed with 24 points, while Mikael Jantunen finished the match with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
ASVEL finishes a disappointing season, with Joffrey Lauvergne scoring 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds in Game 5 of the semifinals. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot followed with 15 points, while Nando De Colo and Edwin Jackson each added 13 points. Youssoupha Fall contributed 12 points, and Paris Lee scored 11 points.
Paris will face Monaco in the best-of-five Betclic Elite Finals, with the defending champions having a home-court advantage.
Betclic Elite Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
Monaco – Le Portel 2-0 (85-78, 101-70)
JL Bourg – Nanterre 2-1 (92-82, 84-90, 90-74)
Paris – Cholet 2-1 (81-91, 90-72, 74-62)
ASVEL – Saint Quentin 2-0 (91-75, 92-89)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Monaco – JL Bourg 3-1 (85-72, 73-83, 85-81, 76-71)
Paris – ASVEL 3-2 (94-81, 85-89, 77-86, 103-98 OT, 98-92)
Finals (best-of-five)
Monaco – Paris