After gaining a 17-point advantage, ASVEL missed the title free throw in the dying seconds. But TJ Parker’s players still won the 21st title in ASVEL history in overtime (84-82).

ASVEL went for a title that had almost flown away. At home, Lyon-Villeurbane gained an advantage of 17 points acquired at the start of the match, to finally find themselves trailing by 8 points in the fourth quarter. The title then seemed served on a plate in Monaco, which was still leading 17 seconds from the end.

But ASVEL, who had been able to win match 4 in Monaco, also managed to overturn this meeting at the end of the day (84-82). Elie Okobo had been decisive at the start of the match, he was accompanied by Lighty and Howard, in particular, in the fourth quarter. The first scored an important three points which gave hope, while the second never lost his address.

Mike James, long discreet but entered the track at the best time, with two three-point shots from elsewhere and a foul obtained on another award-winning shot, had nevertheless given the keys to Monaco. But the Roca Team, which had been swept away by ASVEL during its previous visit to Villeurbane, in match 3 (91-54), cracked for the first time on the very last possession of regulation time.

After a missed free throw by Diallo, seven seconds from the end, ASVEL was only two points away. Elie Okobo spun to the circle, returned his lay-up and got the foul from James. He then had the title free throw at the end of his hands, but the man of the match may have been a little rushed and missed. As if it was written that this completely crazy Game 5 had to go to overtime.

The two teams, in physical difficulty, then struggled to score, and the advantage passed from one camp to the other. A last three points, a huge block and then a last interception from Howard, all in the last 30 seconds, ended up tipping the match for ASVEL, against Monegasques who saw the first title in their history slip away between their fingers, after two finals already lost in 2018 and 2019. ASVEL, has the experience, therefore won its 21st title of champion of France, the third in a row after 2019 and 2021.