After five defeats in a row in the Euroleague, Paris found the resources to escape this negative spiral when it hosted Red Star Belgrade (102-92).
Paris Basketball has been waiting for this for a long time. Weaned from victories in the Euroleague since November 13, the French champions took advantage of the reception of Red Star Belgrade to end their series of six defeats in a row in the competition. If former Monaco player Donatas Motiejunas (6 points) opened the scoring, the Serbs then suffered the law of the capital club led by Lamar Stevens (14 points).
A good start spoiled by a two-minute gap for Nadir Hifi’s teammates (15 points, 6 assists) allowing the Red Star to compete again. Fortunately for Francesco Tabellini’s players, it didn’t last very long. Ending the first quarter with a 7-0, the capital club then reached the ten-point lead.
The Red Star held on
Mouhamed Faye (10 points, 5 rebounds) revived Paris, who then pushed their advantage to fourteen seconds before falling into a false rhythm. Taking advantage of a less efficient opponent in attack, Red Star Belgrade was able to count on Chima Moneke (17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) and Jared Butler (31 points) to gradually get closer on the scoreboard. The Serbs thus returned to three units a little less than five minutes before the break. The end of the second quarter saw Paris resist thanks to the long-distance skill of Justin Robinson (16 points, 8 assists) and Jeremy Morgan (6 points).
The French champions thus returned to their locker room with a five-unit margin. Returning to the Accor Arena floor, the Red Star Belgrade players first took a shine to get back above the ten point gap before reacting strongly.
Paris put an end to the suspense
Having then returned to four lengths, they cracked in the great widths. Indeed, in the last five minutes of the third quarter, they only scored a three-point shot from Jordan Nwora (3 points). Intractable in defense, the Parisians took off under the leadership of Allan Dokossi (9 points, 6 rebounds). A 20-3 allowed them to approach the last ten minutes with serenity. Releasing the horses, the Serbs pushed to keep a little hope but they were never able to get closer than fifteen units. The 100 point mark was reached by Paris thanks to Justin Robinson with just over three minutes to play. A freewheeling end to the match saw Red Star Belgrade reduce the gap with three-pointers but the outcome of the match was inevitable. Paris Basketball won by ten points (102-92) and regained color on a continental scale.
