It all comes down to one game, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in a do-or-die battle on Wednesday to reach the 2024 BKT EuroCup Finals. It's Game 3 of a very interesting semifinal series in which both teams have prevailed at home in the first two games. Bourg hosts Game 3, but Besiktas already won two do-or-die games on the road in this year's playoffs. Bourg playmaker JeQuan Lewis, who had been averaging 7.3 points and 8.8 PIR until this series,  but boosted his scoring to 12.5 points and his PIR to 16.0 in the last two games. Lewis believes willpower will be the deciding factor on Wednesday. "I feel like right now we have both adjusted to each other," Lewis said. "I think it's just going to go down to who wants it more, who's going to go out there and fight more, like who's going to get the most 50-50 balls, who's going to play through adversity and control the runs."

 

**Hello, JeQuan. It's your first EuroCup season and you're a game away from the finals. How great is this opportunity for you and Bourg?** 

 

"It's everything for me. This is what I have been working for, to get to this level. And this just being my first year in the EuroCup, and I'm able to kind of help lead my team to the championship, that's just been my goal kind of since day one, coming here to win."

 

**You started the season with an injury. How difficult was it for you to find your rhythm?** 

 

"At the beginning of the season was it was very, very tough for me. I faced a lot of adversity. I had my injuries; they sent me out. And then I had to go home for the death of one of my family members that kind of put me back. But we have a great group of guys and coaching staff here, and they help me through that whole process and gave me all the time I needed to get my mind mentally right and my body physically right."

"This is what I have been working for, to get to this level"

**Now, you are bringing out your best basketball in the playoffs. Is that extra motivation or a full adjustment to the team?** 

 

"No, it's just our will to win. My will to win. Whatever Coach needs me to do, whether it's come out and try to score 20 points or come out and try to get 10 assists. I'm not one of those players who just kind of go out there and just do what I want. I follow through with our scouting and our game plan, and I try to execute it to the best of my ability."

 

**Bourg is a team without superstars. How fun is it to play for such a team-oriented squad?** 

 

"Exactly. For me as a point guard, it's great. It's amazing because it makes my job a whole lot easier. They did a great job of surrounding me with nothing but shooters and guys who can score, can really shoot the ball at a high clip, catch and shoot, which means they can space the floor for me as well, so I can get inside and penetrate. And whether it's dishing out or trying to get my own shot, I kind of have the freedom to kind of do whatever." 

 

**Of course, Zaccharie Risacher gets a lot of attention. How do you see his potential, and what's the best thing about him?** 

 

"Man, the sky's the limit for him. He is a hard worker. He is super, super talented, but it didn't happen overnight. The kid puts in work every single day before and after practice, off days. He doesn't miss a beat. I think the biggest thing for him is just his willingness to learn. A lot of kids were there this age and they were high profile players going into the draft as top five picks. You kind of feel like you know it all. You feel like you are better than everybody. But Zaccharie is one of those kids who is very humble. He listens. He asks questions. He is just a great kid. He just loves to play basketball."

JeQuan Lewis Top Plays of the 2023-24 Regular Season

2023-24 EuroCup highlights: JeQuan Lewis, Bourg

**Time to talk about Besiktas. After two games, is there room for tactical surprises?** 

 

"Oh, yeah. I feel like it's tough playing teams multiple times, especially back-to-back. I feel like right now we have both adjusted to each other. We kind of adjusted to their style of play. I think it's just going to go down to who wants it more, who's going to go out there and fight more, like who's going to get the most 50-50 balls, who's going to play through adversity and control the runs. It's going to be a battle, for sure."

 

**How tough is it to go against Derek Needham, one of the most experienced point guards in the competition?** 

 

"Like you said, he is a great guard. He's experienced and strong. He knows how to control his team and try to get his shots. It's been a tough matchup because they are a good team. But it's also been a fun matchup. I love competition, I love going against the best, and he brings the best out of me, for sure."

 

**Generally speaking, what needs to be done to beat Besiktas and make it to the finals?** 

 

"I think our keys to winning the game is just staying together and playing our basketball. Sometimes when you play teams like Besiktas, they like to get out and run and play fast and shoot fast. You can kind of get lost in that and start doing the same thing. And that's to their advantage. So I feel like as long as we control the game and control the pace and play our style of basketball, then I feel like we can handle business our way."

"I'm just finally getting to where I want to be"

**Paris already in the final, 20-1 this season. You played against them, is it a surprise that they did so well in the EuroCup?** 

 

"No, I'm not surprised. That's a great team. It's a great organization. Their coach and half of the guys won the Champions League last year, in Germany for Bonn. I played them last year when I was in Germany as well and there are just a great team. They have a great core. The pieces they put around the core fit in really well, and they all kind of just playing well together, and playing fast. I'm not surprised at all. Paris is a fun team to watch. They are a fun team to play against. And they are talented."

 

**You played in South Korea, Greece, Israel, Estonia and Germany before joining Bourg. Does this opportunity taste even better after having to grind it out the way you did?** 

 

"Yeah, for sure, because early in my career, when I first came to Europe, I faced a lot of adversity with injuries, clubs not paying on time and the COVID year. It was a lot of stuff I had to go through to kind of get to where I am now. And just to finally be in a position I am now is surreal. But I worked my whole life to be in a position to play at the highest levels. And I'm just finally getting to where I want to be. And I just hope I take advantage of it."

With a do-or-die game to keep playing for the trophy, EuroCup rookie JeQuan Lewis wants to leave everything on the court.

JeQuan Lewis, Bourg: 'It's going to be a battle, for sure'

EuroCup Semifinals Fantasy Tips for Game 3: A true challenge 

For the most serious EuroCup Fantasy Challenge players, this week presents an unusual situation. A full round with only one game: Game 3 of the BKT EuroCup semifinals with Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse hosting Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul. Credits mean almost nothing. Those who have bought and sold players all season and thus increased the amount of credits in their wallets can potentially buy the most expensive coach, two most expensive centers and four most expensive players at both guard and forward and still have credits to spare! So there is no reason to hunt for bargains this week and the real question you should ask yourself when choosing your team is there you expect Bourg or Besiktas to win. Other than that, the questions about the players I am recommending here is: Can you afford not to have them?

[Yigit Arslan, Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (6.0 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yigit-arslan/007914/)

Arslan has not shot well in the semifinals, but he has shot, including a total of 9 three-point attempts and 5 free throws. He has averaged more than 21 minutes per game, too. The opportunity is there, assuming a few shots fall, for Arslan to put up big numbers at a very affordable price. You don’t want to overlook Arslan.

Yigit Arslan in the EuroCup Semifinals

[Angel Delgado, Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (16.3 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/)

By far the most dominant player thus far in the series, Delgado has averaged 14.5 points on 68.4% shooting and 12.5 rebounds per game. Bourg can only hope to contain him, but stopping Delgado appears to be an impossible task. The only risk here is not owning Delgado.

[Axel Julien, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (6.8 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-julien/011161/)

Bourg’s second-string point guard has been effective in both games, putting up a PIR of 13 in the opener and 7 in Game 2. The big difference between those outings was that he shot 6 times at home and once in Istanbul. Look for him to play more comfortably at Ekinox in Game 3 and give back a nice return on the investment.

Axel Julien's top plays in the EuroCup Semifinals

[Jequan Lewis, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (9.3 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jequan-lewis/012617/)

Somewhat quietly, Lewis has been second on the team in both points scored (12.5 ppg.) and average PIR (16) in the semifinals. He is playing consistent minutes and, like many players in this series, played better at home than on the road, which bodes well for him this week.

Here are Frankie Sachs's recommendations for the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge games this week.

Bourg and Besiktas are set to play Game 3 of the semifinals, with the winner joining Paris in the BKT EuroCup Finals

This week: A winner-take-all semis showdown

### Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul

The 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals have come down to a single game, a one-and-done contest on Wednesday in which [Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse will host Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/194/) for a right to play in the finals.

Bourg returns to the comforts of its home floor at Ekinox arena, where it has a 10-1 record this season, having won six of those games by double-digit margins, including [an 86-74 victory over Besiktas in Game 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/190/). The team's top scorer, [Isiaha Mike](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/isiaha-mike/011836/) (13.0 ppg., 4.2 rpg.), shined in that series opener with 16 points and 6 rebounds,. He was joined by four other double-digit scorers that night, including [JeQuan Lewis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jequan-lewis/012617/) who had 14 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.

Besiktas, on the other hand, has been one of EuroCup's best road teams this season. Head coach Dusan Alimpijevic and his men have a 6-6 record away from home, including victories in one-and-done eighthfinals and quarterfinals games. But Besiktas used its home floor to tie this series on Friday, [beating Bourg 82-71 in Game 2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/192/) with [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) and [Matthew Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) scoring 17 points apiece, while [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/) collected 14 points and 9 rebounds. Mathews (15.1 ppg.) is Besiktas' top scorer and Delgado (12.0 ppg., 10.0 rpg.) is the competition's second-best rebounder.

The winner of this game will go on to face Paris Basketball in the best-of-three 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Finals, which are set to begin on Tuesday, April 9.

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2024-03-26T18:00:00.000Z)

Its head coach will hear echoes from Istanbul when Besiktas visits Bourg for decisive Game 3.

 Even without 15,000 Besiktas fans, Alimpijevic relishes do-or-die Game 3 

Rare is the team in any sport, anywhere, that can quintuple its average attendance with the snap of a finger.

That, however, is what Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul on Friday did by moving its BKT EuroCup Semifinals home game from 3,200-seat Akatlar Arena to Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, where the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four was held in 2012 and 2017. 

Like that, 15,200 fans sold out the place, and to say they helped even the best-of-three series 1-1 by pushing Besiktas to a [82-71 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/192/) over visiting Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse is an understatement.

Besiktas football fans were once recorded cheering at 132 decibels, roughly the same noise level as a military jet taking off. Even if you cut that in half or more – but then put a roof over it – you can imagine the din inside Sinan Erdem on Friday.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Incredible atmosphere in Istanbul🦅<a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJK_Basketbol</a> <a href="https://t.co/4LYzSzXpcd">pic.twitter.com/4LYzSzXpcd</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1773769075988046116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Bourg felt the crowd pressure 

The Bourg players were not only challenged to communicate with each other and their bench as normal, but had trouble hearing the referees whistles. It made running an offense difficult. Despite leading by 7 points just at halftime, the game quickly got away from the visitors. 

"It was a great atmosphere to play a basketball game," Bourg coach Frederic Fauthoux said afterward, but "for some \[of our\] guys it was the first time to be in this situation."

Normally steady point guard Hugo Benitez, hounded by defenders as well as the ear-splitting Besiktas crowd, ended up committing 6 of his team's 17 turnovers. 

"I am disappointed, first, because we didn't play our basketball," Fauthoux added. "We knew that Besiktas would play very tough defense, and they did it. And we didn't find the solution, because we just turned over the ball too much. Then we allowed them too many offensive rebounds. To win the big games, those things are basic: control the ball and control the rebound. And we didn't do those things."

### Fans were Besiktas's sixth man

Fauthoux's counterpart, Dusan Alimpijevic, emphasized the role that Besiktas fans played in the result, and he hopes they will get that chance again.

"Before anything else, I have to say that this has been one of the best and craziest atmospheres I have felt in my life," Alimpijevic said. 

"Look at this atmosphere. I believe that no one in EuroCup this year has something like this. They took us and they led us to this victory...I will do everything to come back to come back one more time to Sinan Erdem for the finals."

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Dušan 🦅<a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJK_Basketbol</a> <a href="https://t.co/2Awp3gjpPi">pic.twitter.com/2Awp3gjpPi</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1773807771869159573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

To make that happen, Besiktas has to win next Wednesday at Ekinox arena, where Bourg is 10-1 in the EuroCup this season and has beaten both EuroLeague Playoffs team AS Monaco and EuroCup finalist-in-waiting Paris Basketball.

Alimpijevic won't have 15,200 foundation-shaking fans at his back in Game 3, but considering his 6-2 record in EuroCup elimination games in recent years – all except one of those on the road – neither is he intimidated by the challenge.

"This is exactly what we wanted, to push this series – if we couldn't win the first game – to do-or-die," Alimpijevic said. "I believe that \[Bourg\] was a little more comfortable in the first game because it wasn't do-or-die. Now it is. And I like these do-or-die games."

Game Videos

Game News

Its head coach will hear echoes from Istanbul when Besiktas visits Bourg for decisive Game 3.



Even without 15,000 Besiktas fans, Alimpijevic relishes do-or-die Game 3

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2024-03-29T17:45:00.000Z)

Having romped to the finals, Paris will now face one of two teams it has lost to this season.

 Near-flawless Paris knows well its potential EuroCup Finals foes 

Paris Basketball steamrolled into the BKT EuroCup Finals with a comprehensive run in the playoffs, having beaten Jovtentut Badalona 86-70 on home court in the quarterfinals followed by an impressive 2-0 sweep of London Lions in their best-of-three semifinal series. 

The French franchise, which is aiming for its first trophy in European competition, brushed aside the Lions 99-86 at home and then 85-93 on the road, having fought back from a 45-39 halftime deficit in Game 2 with a vintage second-half performance that drew heaps of praise from head coach Tuomas Iisalo. 

The 41-year-old Finn, who took over at Paris during the off-season after spending the previous two years at German side Telekom Baskets Bonn, highlighted that the fightback epitomized a team mindset that had been instilled from day one of his tenure.

Paris enters this series on a remarkable 11-game winning streak after eliminating Joventut Badalona in the quarters, whereas London roared to the semis with a pair of double-digit do-or-die victories, including a 12-point road triumph against U-BT Cluj Napoca.

Paris Basketball-London Lions | Semifinals Game 1 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup


"We've worked for this very hard since August and the guys put in an enormous amount of effort," Iisalo told the post-game press conference after his team forced the Lions into submission in Game 2.

"We were in a hole today and it feels even better to do it that way because it gives us a lot of confidence. We've done that several times already, it's been an incredible season for us, and now we've got to find a way to get two more (wins). 

"Offensive rebounding has been one of our biggest strengths this season but in the first half, London dominated us with 7 offensive boards. In the end we caught up and solidified our defense in the second half. At halftime we were pretty \[disappointed\] because we all felt we had a golden opportunity here, but it was an incredible second half as the guys locked in and started getting one stop after another."

### Next up, Bourg or Besiktas

In the best-of-three finals, Paris will clash with either compatriots Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse or Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, which are locked 1-1 in their semifinal series ahead of next Wednesday's tie-breaker in Bourg.

As it happens, both sides have been banana skins for the seemingly invincible Paris.

Besiktas gave the French team its sole blemish in the EuroCup with a 63-68 victory in Paris during the regular season. Paris won the reverse fixture 72-95, with TJ Shorts leading the way on 23 points as the visitors got sweet revenge for slipping up the first time round. 

Prepare for a crunch-clash at the summit of Group A as unbeaten Paris are confronted by a Besiktas group situated just one spot behind. TJ Shorts and Nadir Hifi are the leaders for the French team, while the Turks are armed with the physicality of Angel Delgado.

Paris Basketball-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Round 8 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Paris also has met Bourg twice in the French League regular season, wining 83-78 at home before losing 83-81 away against a team that would clearly constitute awkward opposition just as much in the EuroCup final.

### Volumes of character

Last but not least, Paris will also be wary of the experience of outgoing champion Dreamland Gran Canaria, which lost to Bourg late in the regular season and then crashed out in the eighthfinals with a shock 78-80 home defeat by Besiktas.

Iisalo has plenty of reasons to be optimistic though, as he kept his feet firmly on the ground after a job well done against London, refusing to get carried away by his team's rock-solid performance in the series.

"We are very proud of being a very strong collective, on and off the court," he said. "These guys get along incredibly well and it comes from a mutual experience of very tough training. They trust each other and are able to lean on each other in very tough situations, \[the Game 2 win over London\] being a very good example of that."

Iisalo made it clear that his team will be practicing just as hard with the extra time earned by its semifinals sweep in order to be fully ready for whichever finals opponent it faces.

"Big credit to the London Lions, they are very talented and play hard. They are an extremely tough opponent and very well coached. Those are the teams that tell you most about yourself," the Paris boss said. "They expose your weakest links and it's then up to the training process to fix that. We've shown a will and resolve to win as this team has volumes of character and never backs down." 

More Paris Basketball News

Near-flawless Paris knows well its potential EuroCup Finals foes 

London Lions v Paris Basketball (2024-03-29T19:30:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball is into the EuroCup Finals after sweeping its semifinal series against the London Lions.

Paris Basketball had too much depth for battling London Lions

Paris Basketball made a statement of intent as it looks to win the club’s first trophy in European competition after [an 85-93 win at the London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/paris-beats-london-85-93-to-romp-into-eurocup-finals/) completed a 2-0 win over the British team in their best-of-three semifinal series in the BKT EuroCup.

The Lions looked capable of forcing a tiebreaker in the French capital after taking a 45-39 halftime lead in their Copper Box Arena, but they were eventually tamed by a more resourceful rival which fired on all cylinders in the second half.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">LE PARIS BASKETBALL EST EN FINALE DE L’EUROCUP 😍😍😍😍😍 <a href="https://t.co/nUTatGmSvP">pic.twitter.com/nUTatGmSvP</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1773828146283827438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Having [lost Game 1 in Paris 99-86](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/paris-outguns-london-in-game-1-99-86/) on Tuesday, London put up an impressive fight in front of a sellout 6,000 home crowd and outrebounded the visitors 40-34, having also sank 12 three-pointers from 26 attempts (46.2% 3FG).

However, the visitors subdued the Lions when the chips were down and forced them to commit a total of 21 turnovers while confining them to the same number of assists, having stepped up on defense and moved up a gear on the offensive end in the second half.

Paris moved closer to its first-ever EuroCup Finals by downing the Lions 99-86, where T.J. Shorts paced the winners with 23 points and 6 rebounds. The Londoners strive to remain in contention and David Nwaba and Gabe Olaseni could prove key for their prospects.

London Lions-Paris Basketball | Semifinals Game 2 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

[TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/) pulled the strings for Paris with 21 points and 6 assists, having been helped by a cohesive team effort which saw four other Paris players score in double digits. The visitors also dished out 23 assists while committing just 13 turnovers, prompting Shorts to heap praise on his teammates.

“It’s amazing to reach a final, you can’t take these moments for granted because you don’t get to do this every single year,” Shorts said in his post-game comments courtside. “I am not just happy for myself, but for all the guys who were out there fighting. I really don’t have the words right now to describe how I feel.

“Whichever opponent we face, we will try to get some rest between now and the championship series. We’ll break it down and respect them, but first we’ve got a game in the domestic league on Sunday.”

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5HXLNlrXxi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5HXLNlrXxi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5HXLNlrXxi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by TJ Shorts 𝐈𝐈 (@tjshorts5)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### Finals series vs. Bourg or Besiktas

Paris, which blew away the opposition this season to reach the EuroCup Finals with an overall 20-1 record, will lock horns with either fellow French outfit Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse or Turkish side Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, which are tied 1-1 in their semifinal series.

Besiktas forced a tiebreaker in France scheduled for Wednesday after levelling the series with Friday’s 82-71 win in Istanbul.

Paris head coach Tuomas Iisalo was just as elated as Shorts after steering his team into the final. “I am really proud of how the guys committed to the process back in August and this kind of reward makes it all worth it,” he said.

“In the second half, we did what we’ve been doing all season. We acknowledged the fact that we were not playing up to our standards and the guys once again leaned on each other like they’ve been doing all season. A simple formula but difficult to execute against a great team like London.”

London head coach Petar Bozic also praised his team for a gritty performance which encapsulated a fine season in the EuroCup, as the Lions became the first British team to reach the last four in European competition.

“I am not just proud, I am happy and honored to be a part of this group,” the Serbian tactician said. “It’s been an amazing season in the EuroCup and we’ve accomplished some historic things for British basketball.” 

Nadir Hifi of Paris Basketball shoots a shot against the London Lions in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

The visitors once again displayed a gulf in class between themselves and the rest of the BKT EuroCup field

Paris had too much depth for battling London Lions

Besiktas big man Angel Delgado broke the EuroCup record for offensive rebounds in a season and every one counted to force Game 3 of the semifinals

 Delgado led forceful Besiktas show on offensive glass 

Playoff basketball is often measured by the grittiest, as opposed to the flashiest, statistics.

Yes, the most points always wins a game. But how those points are manufactured often means more in the playoffs. And for Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, the number that stood out as it pushed its BKT EuroCup Semifinal series to a third and final game was offensive rebounds.

Battling around the basket to collect its own missed shots has been this team's calling card all season, and it was no different as [Besiktas wore down Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse for an 82-71 victory in Game 2 ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/192/)before 15,200 leather-lung fans at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul.

Besiktas pulled 18 offensive rebounds on Friday, a total that has only been exceeded four times in EuroCup Semifinal games over the last 20 years. But ripping boards and taking names was very much at one with the Besiktas forte throughout the season, when its rebounders led the EuroCup with 13.2 of them on the offensive glass per game.

Friday marked the 17th time that any EuroCup team had 18 or more offensive rebounds this season, and it's no surprise that Besiktas has now done it on six occasions. No other team has done it more than twice. 

It's also no surprise that [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/) led the effort with 5, considering he is averaging a double-double of 12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds this season, a remarkable 4.0  of those boards coming on offense. He not only leads the league but is the just the second player ever to average 4.0 or more in 15-plus games in the competition. With his 5 on Friday, Delgado broke the EuroCup record for total offensive boards in a season with 77. 

Delgado, Simonovic and Mitchell's Game 2 highlights vs. Bourg

He had plenty of help this time, though. Fellow big man [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) and forward [Matthew Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) each corralled 3 of their team's misses, while four other players had one each. There were also 3 such boards credited as team rebounds. The resulting 15-9 edge for Besiktas in second-chance points amounted to much of their winning margin.

Forcing 17 turnovers on Bourg and using that for a 14-7 advantage in points off turnovers was another gritty statistic that went the way of Besiktas.

All of it was necessary as Besiktas shot just 6 for 27 from the three-point arc (22.2%) and 18 for 31 at the foul line (58.1%), the kind of numbers that usually lose games.

But in the playoffs, grit often wins, and thanks to that grittiness, Besiktas has lived to fight another day.

"We saw in the first half that we were a little more under pressure than Bourg," Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic said. "Now, this pressure is on their side, and let's see how it will be in France."

A not-so-subtle warning to expect Delgado and co. to be eating glass again in Game 3

The Besiktas big man broke the EuroCup record for offensive rebounds in a season and every one counted to force Game 3 of the semifinals

Delgado led forceful Besiktas show on offensive glass

Paris Basketball wrapped up the best-of-three semifinal series against the London Lions with a clinical performance at Copper Box Arena.

Paris beats London 85-93 to romp into EuroCup Finals

Paris Basketball reached the BKT EuroCup Finals after an 85-93 win at London Lions sealed a 2-0 sweep in their best-of-three semifinal series, with the French team booking a clash with either compatriots Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse or Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, who are tied 1-1. Following an emphatic 99-86 victory on its home court in Game 1 on Tuesday, Paris fought back from a 45-39 halftime deficit and prevailed thanks to ironclad defense coupled with smooth offense in the second half.

TJ Shorts paced Paris with 21 points and 6 assists, while Nadir Hifi and Sebastian Herrera posted 13 each. Justin Simon scored 11 points and Collin Malcolm chipped in with 10, as Paris overcame a poor first half in which it was outmuscled and committed 14 turnovers. Matt Morgan of London led all scorers with a game-high 25 points and Jordan Taylor added 17, but the rest of the home team's roster failed to hit double digits in scoring, as the Lions committed 21 turnovers.

Paris raced into an 8-16 lead thanks to tough defense early on. Roared on by a fervent home crowd, London slashed the deficit to 19-21 by the end of the first quarter. Powered by Morgan and impeccable rebounding at both ends of the floor, London turned the tables by halftime, opening up a 45-39 lead behind 24 rebounds and out 13 assists, which compensated for 14 turnovers.

With Morgan netting 12 points for the Lions and Shorts pouring 13 at the other end, the visitors were undone in the opening two quarters by poor free throw shooting as they sank only 9 of 18 from the foul line.

However, the tide turned after the break as Paris conjured a 6-17 run thanks to a barrage of fastbreaks generated by a heap of London turnovers in the wake of physical defending by the visitors. London was able to close the gap to 64-66 at the end of the third quarter but another 0-7 run by Paris left the home team a mountain to climb down the stretch.

Down 67-73, but galvanized by passionate support from their fans, the hosts tried to launch one last onslaught but were tamed by Hifi in the closing stages, as the versatile guard made a three-point play and Paris pulled away, 69-78. Hifi then hit a clutch three as Paris surged ahead 76-86 several minutes later and it was lights out for a brave and battling Lions outfit, which has now lost all four of the season's matchups against a superior Paris team.  

 

The French side wrapped up the best-of-three semifinal series with a clinical performance at the Copper Box Arena.

 

Besiktas followed the inspiration of 15,000-plus home fans to wrestle a 81-72 victory from Bourg and force their BKT EuroCup Semifinals series to a third, do-or-die game next week in France. 

Besiktas blasts Bourg 81-72 to force Game 3

Besiktas followed the inspiration of 15,000-plus home fans to wrestle a 81-72 victory from Bourg and force their BKT EuroCup Semifinals series to a third, do-or-die game next week in France. After a tense first half with 12 lead changes, Besiktas trailed 32-39 soon after halftime at the raucous Sinan Erdem Dome before reeling off an 11-0 run that changed the game for good. The lead reached a high of 73-58 with 5 minutes left before Besiktas closed it out. Jonah Mathews and Matthew Mitchell led five double-digit scores for Besiktas with 17 points each. Angel Delgado added 13 points, Derek Needham 12 and Marko Simonovic 11 for the winners. Isiaha Mike led Bourg with 19 points while Jequan Lewis added 11.

Besiktas suffered 3 quick turnovers before Delgado and Mathews got loose to stake a 4-2 lead.  Zaccharie Risacher tied it on a one-handed floater and after Mitchell answered, Mike sent Bourg ahead from deep 6-7. Lewis added a mid-range jumper at 7-9 but Needham topped with a triple to flip the lead again. Mike, despite 2 fouls, buried 7 consecutive points for Bourg to lead 12-16. Berk Ugurlu reeled Besiktas back from long distance and Simonovic restored a Besiktas lead, 17-16. Maxim Salash scored for Bourg but so did Kerem Konan to give Besiktas the 19-18 edge after 10 minutes.

Free throws by Simonovic and Kyle Allman lifted the lead to 23-18 as Bourg was held scoreless  for almost 3 minutes of the second quarter until Jeremy Morgan hit a reverse layup and Bodian Massa a lane runner at 23-22. Salash backed down to put the visitors back in front, 23-24. Yigit Arslan and Risacher traded baskets and leads. Simonovic stepped outside to flip it again before Hugo Benitez tied it up for Bourg. Mitchell bumped Besitkas in front and Kevin Kokila tied. Lewis, Delgado and Salash all traded leads before Lewis converted a three-point play with 5 seconds left to leave Bourg in charge, 32-36, at the break. 

Lewis beat the shot clock with  a triple to give Bourg a 32-39 lead right after halftime. Matthews combined a foul-line jumper with 3 free throws to get Besiktas right back in it before Delgado tied and Matthews canned a second-chance runner for the second half's first lead change, 41-39. Delgado kept it going with a power bucket for an 11-0 Besiktas run before Lewis stopped it with free throws. Mitchell's acrobatic tip-in and jumper extended the difference to 49-43. Simonovic and Mitchell upped it further before the big man made it 55-46 on a steal and slam. Bourg put on a quick 2-7 run to respond, but Needham stole and finished for a 59-53 Besiktas lead after 30 minutes.

Massa and Mathews exchanged baskets to open the final quarter, then Delgado's put-back made it 63-55 for Besiktas. Mitchell's triple in transition after a timeout made it a double-digit difference. Mathews and Mitchell kept pouring it on as the lead soared to 73-58. At 73-62 with 4 minutes left, Mitchell jumped on a fake from Bourg's Lewis and crashed to the floor, hitting his shoulder and head. It took him some minutes before he walked off gingerly, eventually smiling at all the attention. Mike got the difference down to single digits with a jumper and then added a triple to suddenly make it 73-67. He soon added free throws at 74-69 with 2 minutes left, but  Needham blasted from deep over Massa and Bourg missed a pair of missed triples, sending the series back to France to be resolved in Game 3 next week.  

The series heads back to France for a deciding game after Besiktas held serve at home.