Paris Basketball faces tough EuroLeague test

The Paris Basketball team encountered a tough challenge in the EuroLeague after narrowly losing two games by just two points each to ASVEL and Bologna. The team, based in the French capital, traveled to Belgrade to face Red Star, a Serbian team that had recently beaten ASVEL with a last-second shot by Chris Jones.

Injuries affect Paris lineup

Maxime Lefèvre, the Paris coach, was without key players Nadir Hifi and Frank Ntilikina, both of whom were injured. This made the task even more difficult as they faced a Red Star team that had won three straight matches and was playing in a hot, intense arena.

Paris plays aggressive offensive style

Despite the challenges, Paris continued with the strategy that had nearly worked against Bologna. The team focused on sharing the ball effectively, making 21 decisive passes, playing fast, and taking many shots from beyond the three-point line. They attempted 42 three-pointers compared to just 28 two-point shots.

Top scorers shine but Paris falls short

Tyson Etienne and Sebastian Herrera, the team's top scorers, each took 12 shots, totaling 24 points. Their combined effort was rare in FIBA basketball, comparable to the shooting style of NBA star Stephen Curry. However, Red Star built a 19-point lead and ultimately won 90-81.

Coach reflects on the game

Maxime Lefèvre acknowledged the team's effort after the loss, saying they lacked some energy in the final minutes and that Red Star's Butler was clutch when needed. He praised the team's fighting spirit and noted the difficulty of playing three games in a week, emphasizing the need for continued improvement.

Memorable defensive play highlights match

A standout moment of the game was a dramatic rejection by Allan Dokossi that stopped a fast break. The play was widely shared on social media and captured the intensity of the match.