In parallel with the quarter-finals of the Euroleague, a large part of the 32nd day of the Betclic Elite was played this Tuesday evening on the French courts. An important evening at all levels of the ranking, which could have consequences for the end of the season.
Blois still alive, Gravelines-Dunkerque not yet maintained
In the fight for maintenance, the evening could be decisive since defeats of Blois and Roanne to Nanterre and Nancy, combined with a victory for Gravelines-Dunkerque against Bourg, would have sent the ADA and the Chorale to Pro B while saving the BCM. But this scenario ultimately did not take place, the fault of the tenacity of the Blésois. Neck and neck with a very solid Nanterre team in Maurice-Thorez, David Morabito’s men were able to seize their chance in the last quarter and were able to count on an excellent Rashard Kelly (19 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 interceptions) to secure a crucial away victory (103-106). Which was not the case for their two direct adversaries.
Opposed to town, Gravelines held on but did not manage to overthrow a JL who did what was necessary to win, without shining (64-75). For his part, Roanne has long believed he could also make a move Nancy. But Shevon Thompson (18 points, 13 rebounds) and his teammates were able to make the difference in the final minutes (84-79). Blois therefore retains a chance of maintaining but will have to win twice in the last two days while hoping for two setbacks for the BCM. The situation is the same for the Choir. With the reception of Boulogne-Levallois in a few days, it is despite everything Gravelines which remains best placed to save its skin in Betclic Elite.
An increasingly indecisive race for the playoffs
In the middle of the ranking, on the other hand, the situation is much less clear. There are still many candidates for the top 8 and the results of the evening have made the race for the playoffs a little more dense. In the top eight so far, Cholet conceded a problematic defeat, at home against Dijon (79-88). This is the 5th loss in a row for Laurent Vila’s men, who find themselves ejected from the playoff zone before a trip to Monaco this weekend. For their part, Allan Dokossi (23 points, 11 rebounds) and the JDA are riding the euphoria of their victory in the Coupe de France and even retain a slim hope of qualifying for the elimination phases with this authoritarian success.
The Dijonnais also play into the hands of the Nancy residents, but also of Strasbourg. Beaten three days ago at Bercy, Massimo Cancellieri’s men bounced back perfectly by securing their first away victory since the end of January on the floor of Boulogne-Levallois, already condemned to relegation (85-107). They are therefore tied with CB and SLUC but take 8th place in the direct confrontations between the three clubs. In ambush just one victory away from the trio, we now find Dijon, but also Limoges and Le Mans, whose matches were played a few days ago.
Status quo in the top 4
In the last match of the evening, Paris prevailed on the Chalon-sur-Saône floor (73-84). A meeting during which TJ Shorts (24 points, 8 assists) and the Parisians quickly took the advantage before managing the latter for the duration of the match. With this 23rd consecutive victory, they are a little closer to the Limoges record and consolidate their second place, two victories ahead of ASVEL and Bourg. A La Jeu team which is coming back to match its Villeurbanne neighbor. With two days to go, nothing is done in the race for 3rd place in the Betclic Elite.
Evening results / Betclic Elite Ranking
