Paris, December 23rd – Paris Basketball has finally ended its prolonged losing streak in the EuroLeague, securing a decisive 102-92 victory over Red Star Belgrade at home. This win marks a crucial turning point for the French champions, who had been struggling with six consecutive defeats since November 13th.
A Much-Needed Turnaround for Paris Basketball
The match, held at the Accor Arena, saw Paris Basketball demonstrate a renewed vigor. Although Donatas Motiejunas (6 points) of Red Star Belgrade opened the scoring, Paris quickly asserted dominance. Led by Lamar Stevens (14 points), the capital club established an early lead. Despite a brief two-minute slump that allowed Red Star to close the gap, Nadir Hifi (15 points, 6 assists) and his teammates quickly regained control, ending the first quarter with a 7-0 run and a ten-point advantage.
Red Star’s Resilience and Paris’s Response
Mouhamed Faye (10 points, 5 rebounds) further extended Paris’s lead, pushing it to fourteen points. However, Red Star Belgrade, fueled by strong performances from Chima Moneke (17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) and Jared Butler (31 points), steadily chipped away at the deficit, coming within three points before halftime. Paris managed to maintain a five-point lead at the break, thanks to long-range accuracy from Justin Robinson (16 points, 8 assists) and Jeremy Morgan (6 points).
Second Half Domination Secures Victory
The second half began with Paris extending its lead once again, only for Red Star to stage another comeback, narrowing the gap to four points. However, this resurgence was short-lived. In the final five minutes of the third quarter, Red Star managed only a single three-pointer from Jordan Nwora (3 points). Paris, with an impenetrable defense and strong offensive contributions from Allan Dokossi (9 points, 6 rebounds), launched a devastating 20-3 run, entering the final quarter with a comfortable lead.
In the last ten minutes, Red Star Belgrade attempted to close the gap, but Paris remained resolute, never allowing their opponents to come within fifteen points. Justin Robinson secured the 100-point mark for Paris with just over three minutes left. The game concluded with Paris Basketball winning by a ten-point margin (102-92), signaling a return to form on the continental stage.
Impact on EuroLeague Standings
This victory is vital for Paris Basketball’s EuroLeague campaign, offering a much-needed morale boost and improving their standing in the intensely competitive league. The team will look to build on this success in upcoming matches, aiming to climb higher in the rankings and solidify their position among Europe’s elite basketball clubs.
The performance of key players like Lamar Stevens, Nadir Hifi, and Justin Robinson was instrumental in securing this win, highlighting the team’s depth and offensive capabilities. The defensive effort, particularly in the third quarter, proved to be the turning point that allowed Paris to control the game and prevent any further comebacks from Red Star Belgrade.
This win not only ends a frustrating period for Paris Basketball but also sends a strong message to their EuroLeague rivals that the French champions are still a force to be reckoned with. Fans will be eager to see if this momentum can be sustained as the season progresses.
Source: https://sports.orange.fr/plus-de-sport/basket/article/euroligue-h-j18-paris-s-impose-contre-l-etoile-rouge-de-belgrade-CNT000002mjOhz.amp
