EUROLIGUE 2024/25 – And five for Paris Basketball! Facing the best defense in the Euroleague, Zalgiris Kaunas, the French club struck a huge blow by extinguishing their evening opponent, 83-77. Undefeated for a month, the TJ Shorts gang continues its thunderous start to the campaign, and is tied for 3rd place in the rankings!
On a crazy series of four victories, the Paris Basketball faced a new major challenge by receiving the Zalgiris Kaunas. The Lithuanians had an exceptional record (6W-2D), and had the best defense in the Euroleague. The confrontation was therefore extremely anticipated, as was the reunion of Sylvain Francisco with the club which revealed it, four and a half years after his departure.
Le Zalgiris doute
And TJ Shorts and the Parisians start with three successful possessions, the start of the match is rather defensive. On the Lithuanian side, the former NBAer Lonnie Walker gets into rhythm by monopolizing the momentum, while the Parisians take difficult shots. Nadir Hifi slams a first banderilla, but it does not launch an offensive that is hampered by opposing rotations. Zalgiris slowly gained strength after losing several balls, and found efficiency via Laurynas Birutis inside. Coming off the bench, the pivot dominates, and scores seven points in a few moments on the head of the interior of the capital. But the two teams stand together in this first quarter (17-16).
Despite the offensive rebounds left, Paris showed amazing defensive solidity to compensate for its difficulties in producing its game in transition. Effective at three points, Colin Malcolm made the difference to allow the Tricolores to take the lead before Bandja Sy don’t get into it. The defense remains aggressive at all times and leaves no easy basket for the Lithuanians in crisis of external skill (1/14 in the first period). The latter, however, remain in contact by drinking in the offensive rebounds and free throws offered by the Parisians (40-36).
Blink and you’ll miss it… ⚡️💨@TjShorts5 slicing through the defense for an easy two! 💥#SKWEEKlive pic.twitter.com/rchTNl7iya
— SKWEEK (@skweektv) November 13, 2024
TJ Shorts boss size, Paris Basketball extinguishes the best defense in the Euroleague
The restart was messy and Paris came up against a Lithuanian defense which had gone up a notch. Without being brilliant offensively, Kaunas went 7-1 to regain the upper hand. After more than four minutes without a basket, Tyson Ward puts an end to an endless drought in order to reset the counters to zero (43-43). At the helm, TJ Shorts is responsible for ensuring the scoring via supersonic penetrations. Then the meeting takes off spontaneously. On both sides, rapid attacks flow with finishing. In a few moments, the score explodes, and Paris finds its cruising speed. Overtaken in transitions, the Lithuanians were punished by two enormous shots from TJ Shorts (21 points, 6 passes) et Nadir Hifi. The Adidas Arena explodes, and Paris flies away at the end of the third quarter (62-54).
Diligent and coherent, Tiago Splitter’s collective does not give up and maintains its lead by padlocking the Zalgiris. Shorts is responsible for feeding the scoring by continuing his recital, and Kevarrius Hayes (10 points, nine rebounds) brings the second blade with a big presence on the offensive rebound. Dominant, the capital club made the break (67-56). When Lithuanians find the address, the response is immediate. By relying on a Colin Malcolm found, absolutely clean (17 points at 6/6 shooting), the Parisian club does not give in. Quite the contrary. Confidence is total and the score continues to rise. Despite the approximations of Maodo LoKaunas starts from too far, and is definitively crucified by a three-pointer from Jantunen one minute from the buzzer (81-72).
At the end of a masterful performance, Paris Basketball offers itself the Zalgiris in style. Completely in control, the Parisians blew up the best defense ofEuroleague, 83-77and achieved a fifth consecutive success in the competition. After nine days, the results are exceptional (6V-3D), and results in a brilliant 3rd place in the standings, just one victory from the lead!
NO WAY! NADIR HIFIIIIIII !
QT3 – 3’04@ParisBasketball 54@Baskonia 46 pic.twitter.com/EpZHCG3HD3
— Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) November 1, 2024
