Asvel suffered a 20th defeat in 25 Euroleague basketball days on Thursday, but does not have to be ashamed of the performance produced in the room of Real Madrid (86-79), reigning champion and undisputed leader of the ranking.
The Villeurbannais, last, gave up as long as half-time, conceding a 17-2 to find themselves trailing 52 to 35 at the start of the second half. But they did not sink, returning in the wake of Paris Lee (23 pts and 7 assists) little by little in the match against the Madrilenians who did not exert their talent.
They were content to control their lead, helped by the Euroleague points record of their French interior Guerschon Yabusele (26 pts in 22 minutes). The other Blue of the Madrid club, the pivot Vincent Poirier, proved to be a deterrent in the racket (4 blocks, 5 rebounds and 8 pts).