It was the big evening he dreamed of, and which calls for others. In a bustling Adidas Arena, for the first time sold out, Paris Basketball was there on Tuesday, largely dominating Bourg-en-Bresse (77-64), during match 1 of the Eurocup finals. In front of 8,000 spectators committed to the cause of the capital club, JL Bourg created an illusion until the middle of the first quarter thanks to honest ball circulation. Before the Parisian washing machine starts.
A 13-2 run by Paris Basketball brought the score to 21-9 with 1’53” left in the 1st quarter. Guided in attack by leader TJ Shorts (15 pts, 4 assists, 2 interceptions), who received his MVP trophy of the competition before the match, Paris gradually installed its ultra-aggressive defense, its trademark. Bourg, weighed down by his skill at 3 pts (0/8 to start the match, 4/24 at the end), went through two states: first shortness of breath, then asphyxiation. Consequence of the athletic superiority of the locals, boosted by the uprisings of the public on each dunk or award-winning basket.
From the 2nd quarter, Tuomas Iisalo’s players played their basketball: offensive transitions, fast play and sharing the ball. All in a team where reliable 3-point shooters are legion. We knew it, we saw it: 6/12 on long distance shots at halftime, enough to kill any suspense. Slowly but surely, Paris widened the gap to reach 23 at halftime (54-31).
It’s not that Frédéric Fauthoux’s men have given up their arms. Two 3-point baskets from JeQuan Lewis gave hope at the start of the 2nd quarter, and young Zaccharie Risacher, 18, promised to the NBA, tried to take responsibility. There was a little good (11 pts, 4 rebounds), a lot of less good (0/5 to 3 pts, 4 lost balls). If Paris relaxed in the 3rd quarter, losing 11 to 12 (score 65-43), Bourg already no longer had the energy to set its own tempo, nor the confidence to return its shots.
Tuomas Iisalo may have maintained the pressure on his flock, like a blower after a 24-second violation without even trying to shoot at the start of the 4th quarter, the mass was said. Paris remained in control to validate a clear score (77-64). This is an 18th victory in a row for the Ile-de-France club, which will travel to Ain on Friday (7:30 p.m.) with its sights set on a first major trophy in its history, after the Leaders Cup last February.
