Parisian Hopes Dashed in Vitoria, Asvel’s Streak Snapped in Bologna
Paris Basketball suffered a stunning defeat against Vitoria (94-81) on Friday, relinquishing their top spot in teh Euroleague standings. Meanwhile, Bologna ended Asvel’s extraordinary six-game winning streak with an 83-69 victory.
The Parisians, led by coach Tiago Splitter, a former Vitoria star who won two Spanish championships with the team before his NBA career, initially dominated the game. They stormed to a 31-13 second-quarter lead, fueled by TJ Shorts’s dynamic playmaking and a stifling defense that limited Vitoria’s Chima Moneke to just 11 points in the opening period.
Though, the tide turned dramatically after halftime. Vitoria, spearheaded by the scoring prowess of Markus Howard (28 points) and Moneke (29 points), chipped away at the Parisian lead. With seven minutes remaining, they seized control of the game and never looked back.Paris, struggling to find their rythm, managed onyl nine points in the final quarter, finishing a dismal 11/36 from three-point range.
This third consecutive Euroleague loss drops Paris to third place in the standings, trailing Monaco and Olympiakos, who both boast one more victory.
In Bologna, Asvel, still missing Joffrey Lauvergne, faced a persistent Bologna squad. After a disappointing loss to Paris in the domestic league last Sunday, Pierric Poupet’s team failed to regain their momentum. They trailed throughout the game, managing a meager seven points in the first quarter and struggling from beyond the arc, shooting a dismal 2/10 at halftime.Despite Théo Maledon’s valiant 20-point effort,Asvel couldn’t overcome their early deficit and fell to a Bologna team that had only secured four wins in 17 previous Euroleague matches.
Decoding the Drama: A EuroLeague Double-Header with Coach Mike Taylor
Welcome back, basketball fans! I’m thrilled to have former EuroLeague coach Mike Taylor joining us today to dissect this whirlwind of a friday night in EuroLeague action. Coach Taylor, thanks for joining us.
Mike Taylor:
always a pleasure to chat hoops!
moderator: Let’s dive right in. Paris, fiery hot coming into this matchup, suffered a shocking defeat against Vitoria. A 31-13 second-quarter lead evaporated, and Paris ended up losing by 13. What happened there, Coach?
Mike Taylor: You simply can’t let up in a league this competitive. Paris had a great start, Shorts was orchestrating the offense beautifully, and defensively they were stifling moneke. But Vitoria, a team with playoff experience, stayed composed. Howard emerged as a real problem for Paris, and they couldn’t find an answer for him.
And, paris couldn’t buy a bucket from three-point range down the stretch, wich is a death knell in today’s game. Hard to win when you’re 11/36 from beyond the arc. It’s a tough reminder that even big leads can disappear quickly in the EuroLeague.
Moderator: Paris coach Tiago Splitter, a Vitoria legend, must be especially disappointed with this loss. Do you think his emotional tie to the club played a role in the game’s outcome?
Mike Taylor: That’s an captivating question. Splitter’s history with Vitoria undoubtedly adds an emotional layer, but I don’t think it directly affected the outcome. Experienced coaches know how to compartmentalize. What likely mattered more is
Vitoria’s familiarity with Splitter’s coaching style. They might have anticipated some of his plays, and that’s a tactical advantage in these tight matchups.
Moderator: Shifting gears to Bologna, they snapped Asvel’s remarkable six-game winning streak. Asvel was playing without Lauvergne, but still managed 69 points. is this loss simply a bump in the road for Asvel, or a cause for concern?
mike Taylor: Look, missing Lauvergne hurts, he’s a game changer. But Asvel’s inability to score in the first quarter – 7 points! – is a red flag.And Maledon, while he put up 20 points, seemed to be carrying the load alone. Asvel needs more consistent scoring threats outside of Maledon if they want to compete at this level.
Bologna, on the other hand, played with desperation. They needed a win badly, and they capitalized on Asvel’s struggles.let’s not underestimate the importance of this
win for Bologna’s confidence.
Moderator: What do you make of Monaco and Olympiakos now leading the standings? Can either of them maintain this momentum throughout the season?
mike Taylor: Monaco has been incredibly consistent, and olympiakos showed flashes of brilliance last season. Both teams have the talent and coaching to contend for the title. But we’re
early in the season. Injuries, unexpected slumps, and surprise contenders always emerge. The EuroLeague, as always, is a rollercoaster.
Moderator: Absolutely. Thanks for those insightful takes, coach Taylor. What are your thoughts for our readers out there? Do you think Paris can bounce back from this loss? Can Asvel recover without Lauvergne? And who do you see emerging as a front-runner for the euroleague title this year?
Let’s hear your thoughts!
