Paris Basketball fell this Sunday against Le Mans (84-76), two days after its defeat in the Euroleague.
Two days after seeing its series of 10 Euroleague victories end against Villeurbanne (98-93), Paris Basketball fell for the first time since the end of October in the championship, beaten on Sunday at Le Mans (84-76). The Parisians, who remained on five victories in Elite since their setback at Cholet on October 26 (90-80), missed the opportunity to take the place of leader at the Mauges club (9 victories for 2 defeats against 9/3 for Paris).
And they could be joined in second place by Asvel (9/2) if it wins in the evening in Nancy. Deprived in Sarthe of their pivot Kevarrius Hayes and their strong winger Mikael Jantunen, spared for the two Euroleague meetings next week against Real Madrid and Fenerbahçe, they were not able to count on the contribution of their two rear tractions. TJ Shorts (11 pts at 5/11 shooting and 7 assists) and especially Nadir Hifi (5 pts at 2/9 shooting including 1/7 at 3 pts) were not very successful against Trevor Hudgins’ MSB.
The American leader came out on top (28 pts), especially at long distance (5/12) in the last quarter. Paris Basketball, carried by Tyson Ward (24 pts at 5/10 at 3 pts), however had two opportunities to come back to one possession (78-72) in the last two minutes.
But he wasted them and ended up losing any chance of victory on a basket from Tayshawn Thomas 45 seconds from the buzzer (80-72) after an offensive rebound left to Manceaux, a sector where he usually dominates (39 shots to 30 for Le Mans, including 11 offensive).