Monaco leaves the lead to Boulogne-Levallois, the ranks close in the fight for the play-offs
Clear acceleration of the calendar of Betlic Elite, while the teams involved in the Championship will have – except in exceptional cases, in particular for European clubs – played four matches in twelve days by next Tuesday.
The coach of the Roca Team, Sasa Obradovic, had not yet spared his American star Mike James (17 points in 32 minutes), but the JDA, coached by Khadeen Carrington (26 points) and his US leader iconic David Holston (19 points, 8 assists), led the whole game, beefy.
Victor Wembanyama still precious
The fall of the Monegasques thus benefited the Metropolitans of Boulogne-Levallois and Vincent Collet, long suspended by Le Portel and finally winners (99-94). Faced with an opponent who had beaten them two months earlier (82-91), the Mets took advantage of a good three-point address (11 of 19) to seize the throne alone four days away. in Strasbourg, former stronghold of the coach of the France team.
Chasing behind the leading duo, Asvel took half time to take the full measure of Roanne (44-39, 20th). The fault of 13 stray balls in the first twenty minutes, the average for the season of the Rhone club. Returning from the locker room with much better intentions, the defending champions relied – a trend lately – on their nugget Victor Wembanyama, present on both sides of the field (11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 3 against). With one less match played (to be played against Pau on April 26), the Villeurbannais can still hope to return to Monaco, or even more if they like.
Nanterre, the JLB and Cholet in ambush
Particularly in good shape (8 wins in his last 9 matches), conqueror in Pau on Sunday for the Classic (69-66), Limoges managed his return to Beaublanc and the reception of Le Mans (82-75), dominated by the duo CJ Massinburg – Demonte Harper (46 points). The CSP thus continues its rise towards the Top 5 of the Championship, while waiting for Strasbourg-Pau to be played, postponed in order to let the SIG play its Champions League return match against Hapoel Holon (80-81 defeat, synonymous with elimination).
The defeat of MSB (the fourth in a row) is especially the business of a trio of pursuers more than ever concerned by the race for the play-offs. In Gravelines, Bourg-en-Bresse delivered a good collective copy (7 players with 10 points or more) and defensive (92-55 victory) to maintain the hope of a breathless end to the season. Nanterre, sheltered from the break (49-24, 20th), offered a card to Châlons-Reims, red lantern (104-73). Finally, Cholet, which has the second best record in the league in 2022 (10 wins in 14 games in 2022), ended up pinching Orleans at home (80-71).
Finally, by winning quite widely at Paris Basketball (93-75), Fos-sur-Mer offered itself a breath of fresh air in the race to maintain, with a victory ahead of Orléans (9 against 8), although the OLB has one game less. The capital club (11 wins) has a more comfortable mattress.