Atmosphere, dunks in shambles and unbearable suspense. The 15,000 spectators of the Accor Arena, standing and in trance during the last two minutes, went through all the emotions this Tuesday night during the second round of the semifinals of Betclic Elite between the Mets of their idol Victor Wembanyama and Asvel, three-time defending champions. An unbearable finale before a monumental explosion of joy caused by a 3-point shot by Barry Brown at the last second (86-83).
"My coach and my partners wanted me to take that last shot. That's what I did and I have to thank God, confides the hero of the evening to the microphone of BeIN Sports. It's a playoff game, there are ups and downs against a good team with very good players. It's super hard. It's going to be a fight there."
BARRY BROWN GIVES THE VICTORY TO THE @METROPOLITANS92 IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF MADNESS đ±đ±đ± #PlayoffsBetclicELITE #LNBextra pic.twitter.com/TIA944i6sQ
â LNB (@LNBofficiel) May 30, 2023
Two days after a first round won by one breath (75-69), in Levallois, the Metropolitans have experienced all the trouble in the world to get rid of a tough opponent and determined to retain his title. But that's the point. With this new success, which allows them to have two victories warm in their safe, they can approach the rest of the events and the trip to the RhĂŽne with more serenity.
A victory on the floor of Villeurbanne would allow them to win their sesame for the final of the championship. A first for a club in the Paris region since the incredible epic of Nanterre (future winner) in 2013, 10 years ago. They will have two options to achieve this: Friday in Game 3 and possibly Sunday. Thanks to their two home wins, they especially have a wild card in their game that allows them to return to Levallois to play a 5th capital game, if necessary, on Wednesday, June 7. The Ile-de-France public is therefore guaranteed to see Wemby at home before the "alien" flies to the NBA. Either for this crucial duel or for the finals.
Barry Brown, a luxury joker
Present in the Parisian arena to see the giant of French basketball in his works, TV host Camille Combal or international footballer Jules Koundé enjoyed the show. "He (Wembanyama) exudes a lot of ease, he talks a lot, we feel that he is a leader despite his youth," Jules Koundé, the defender of the Blues and Barcelona, told BeIN Sports.
After controlling the proceedings and counting up to 16 lengths ahead (64-48, 28th), the partners of Lahaou Konaté (the other big man on the Mets side) were however some scares in the last moments. Although deprived of his master to play and metronome Nando De Colo (calf, still uncertain for Friday), Asvel grabbed his handicap in the last quarter and came back tied 12 seconds from the buzzer on a 3-pointer by Dee Bost (83-83).
It was at this moment that Barry Brown, landed in Boulogne-Levallois late following the departure of Tremont Waters, came out of his box to give a definitive advantage to his family. And cause a tsunami of happiness. Dee Bost will see his shot from midfield at the last second miss the basket. The Mets can exult and invade the field to hug and dance.
Victor Wembanyama "settled" for 13 points and 10 rebounds (and 5 loose balls) but that wasn't the important thing. He is still in the race to win the title of France champion. His stated objective is to conquer the new world.