Asvel still cracks in Euroleague against Zalgiris Kaunas

At the Astroballe de Villeurbanne, in front of a few thousand spectators including Tony Parker, Asvel made their return to the Euroleague against the Lithuanians of Zalgiris Kaunas after their defeat in Milan on October 9 (87-73). Lithuanians used to traveling well, since they had so far won their three trips.

From the start, Moustapha Fall wanted to make an impression in a long-awaited duel against Joffrey Lauvergne. The pivot (2.18, 28, 12 selections) opened the scoring in the first minute, then won a second duel against Lauvergne (2.11 m, 29 years old, 85 selections for the Blues).

Lukas Lekavicius hurt Asvel

The Villeurbannais, well inspired in the transition game, projecting well forward once the balls recovered, finished the first quarter with a gap of ten points (23-13). Deploying clean play and good defensive intensity.

In the second quarter, Zalgiris Kaunas will remake his gap in less than two minutes, 26-23, thanks to the entry into play of Martinas Geben, author of 5 points in this short interval. But the three-point address of the men of Asvel, with Paul Lacombe (10 points) and Charles Kahudi (13 points), as well as their opportunism on the recovered balls, will allow them to slow down this return of the Lithuanians.

TJ Parker’s men finished the first half in the lead with a score of 50-41. During the third quarter, Zalgiris Kaunas tested Asvel’s defensive system to return to three points (60-57). Boosted, the Kaunas players further upped the pace at the start of the final quarter. They regained the advantage in two minutes (60-61). Time for TJ Parker to ask for a time out and bring Fall back on the floor.

With apropos because he offered a pass to Kahudi to return to the score (64-66). Led by the grinta of Lukas Lekavicius, able to take advantage of defensive errors, the Lithuanians widened the gap. Asvel will try to limit the damage thanks to the three-point baskets of Guerschon Yabusele and Charles Kahudi. But in vain.