without TJ Shorts but with honors, Paris falls and loses its lead against Real

The atmosphere of great European evenings hung over the capital. Paris against Real. It was obviously not a question of a reunion between Kylian Mbappé and PSG, but of the Euroleague. The surprising Parisian leader facing a gleaming Real on paper, despite the departure of his French in the off-season (Causeur, Yabusele, Poirier), but 15th before kick-off. Alas, without Yakuba Ouattara and their captain TJ Shorts, the Parisians suffered the law of Facundo Campazzo (19 pts), Mario Hezonja (17) and company at the Adidas Arena (85-96). Second defeat in a row in the Euroleague and the third in all competitions for Paris, joined and even doubled at the top of the ranking by Monaco, who destroyed Bayern (93-74). Defeat but big fight. Maodo Lo (30 pts), Nadir Hifi (21) and their teammates fell with weapons in their hands. They have a meeting with Fener on Thursday, still in Paris.

After a minute of silence in memory of the 32-year-old Latvian international Janis Timma, found dead in Moscow, this Tuesday, it’s time for the game. Start of the match during which we saw a lot of the giant Tavares, through whom all the balls passed in attack or this counter on Hayes. Above all, we saw Paris Basket as aggressive as can be (10-4). Quite a few differences on both sides in shooting, clumsiness. And Real clawed back (12-13). That didn’t stop Lo from doing the job, 9 points in the first quarter, and Hifi from making crazy shots, his trademark (15-15). The Madrid team’s game was anything but far-fetched. Clinical, insisting inside, like Asvel on Friday (15-21, then 17-26 at the end of the 1st QT). More movement for Paris, Hifi skillful and Malcolm in force (25-29). Closer… and new shine (25-34). Fortunately, Real offered a few gifts, shots, rebounds, lost balls and even… Tavares’ clothesline shot on Hifi (34-37). Machine restarted. Real is out. And Macolm to drive the point home (36-37).

Time-out Real. And Campazzo whistled the end of recess with an exceptional move to score in the middle of a forest of arms, the foul to boot. All before two increases from Llull, and Tavares, too tall (36-43, then 38-48). A little magic is what Paris needed. Hifi came out of his box, with the help of Lo who, after a triple, sneaked in to score at the buzzer before the break (46-50, then 48-52 MT). 30 points in total for the two Parisian backs at half-time. Enough to resist until then, despite the Madrilenians’ 73.3% at 2 points, and their domination of rebounds (16-23).

Also read
“This kind of difficult moment can happen”: Paris Basketball players “are not looking for excuses”

Lo in a great evening, but…

Hayes showed up at the restart and Lo continued (53-52, then 58-57), but it was too easy to approach the Parisian circle for Musa and company (58-53). Above all, the winners of the 2024 Eurocup spent long minutes, more than 5, without finding the fault in attack (58-68). Mute. Lo solo to put an end to the shortage, and rather twice than once (62-68). Cavaliere went with his triple and Hayes, with a huge counter, before Hifi at the buzzer marking the end of the third quarter (67-70 at the end of the 3rd QT). Never dead, these Parisians. And Lo, it was his evening, clearly (70-70, then 72-72). Aggressive Paris towards the circle. A chill in the room. That of hope. Before a new “run” from Real (73-80), which however could not take cover. And with Hifi in front, capable of sending atrocious bricks before scoring a clutch basket, it is better to take shelter… A possession gap with 3’31 to go after this candy from the French international (78-80).

And again after these throws from Malcolm, with 2’44 to go (80-83). Las, Campazzo and Hezonja took care of everything. A few small errors here and there, unwelcome mistakes, and the Madrilenians took off, for good (80-91). A plus from Sy, a Parisian stop as the last minute approaches to still hope, Lo in his works (85-91), but this time, the step was too high for Paris, who fell with weapons in hand ( 85-96 final score).