Villeurbanne, France – Alba Berlin cruised to a convincing 88-63 victory over LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne in their Euroleague matchup on Friday night. The German side led from wire to wire showcasing superior offensive firepower and stifling defense to leave ASVEL searching for answers.
Alba’s Offensive Onslaught
Alba’s offense was in sync from the opening tip with a balanced attack that saw five players score in double figures. Luke Sikma led the way with 17 points and 8 rebounds while Maodo Lo and Marcus Eriksson chipped in 16 and 15 points respectively. The visitors shot an impressive 51% from the field and 36% from three-point range leaving ASVEL’s defense scrambling throughout the game.
ASVEL’s Struggles
ASVEL, on the other hand struggled to find their rhythm on both ends of the court. Their offense sputtered managing only 38% shooting from the field and a dismal 10% from beyond the arc. Paris Lee and Charles Kahudi were the lone bright spots scoring 12 and 11 points respectively but their efforts were not enough to overcome Alba’s dominance.
A Big road Dub for @albaberlin tonight! #EveryGameMatters pic.twitter.com/0uYCar1Svg
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) January 12, 2024
Key Stats
- Alba Berlin: 51% FG, 36% 3PT, 46 rebounds, 23 assists
- LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne: 38% FG, 10% 3PT, 31 rebounds, 11 assists
Turning Point
The game was close in the first quarter with ASVEL trailing by just five points. However Alba pulled away in the second quarter outscoring the hosts 22-13 and building a 14-point halftime lead. ASVEL never recovered from that deficit and Alba cruised to a comfortable victory.
Also Read –
Miami Heat defeated Los Angeles Lakers by (110-96)
Quotes
- Luke Sikma (Alba Berlin forward): “We played with a lot of energy and focus tonight. We shared the ball well and got everyone involved. This was a big win for us, and we’re happy to head home with the victory.”
- TJ Parker (ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne head coach): “We have to give credit to Alba, they played a great game. We didn’t match their intensity or execution, and that’s what cost us. We have to learn from this and come back stronger next time.”
Implications
With this win Alba Berlin climbs to 4-17 in the Euroleague standings while ASVEL remains in the cellar at 3-17. Both teams have a lot of work to do if they want to reach the playoffs but Alba’s dominant performance tonight is a sign that they are heading in the right direction.