What a match! What an unbreathable scenario! Sixteen times, the score was reversed in Game 4! In this little game, it was the Metropolitans who emerged victorious in the furnace of a molten Astroball. They will meet Monaco in the final with a first round on Saturday in the principality.
⏱ End of the match
WE ARE IN THE FINAL !!! 🔥 #GoMets92 #BetclicELITE pic.twitter.com/TqloiK8dDx
— Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (@Metropolitans92) June 4, 2023
Victor Wembanyama's huge shot with three minutes left (67-68) was the final turning point of a game gone completely crazy in the first ten minutes. The future NBA's next two points gave the Mets a three-point lead with 1:50 left. ASVEL, already back from a handicap of twelve lengths in the middle of the third quarter, had not said its last word. But Wenby, who scored a block on Tyus with 45 seconds left, also had things to prove after a missed Game 3.
Forced to foul the pressure of the clock, ASVEL offered two free throws to Barry Brown Jr. The American only managed one. -4 with 31 seconds to go. T.J. Parker, the coach of ASVEL, used his final timeout. The 5,560 supporters of the Astroballe all stood up to carry their protégés to turn the match around again. Back to two points thanks to De Bost, Villeurbanne had no choice but to get back to fault on the next possession. Both shots were missed by Thomas.
ASVEL therefore had an overtime ball in hand. A match ball even since Antoine Diot, fabulous until then from long distance, tried a three-point basket ... Failed, recovered by Wembanyama before the siren sounds! Three-time defending France champion, Villeurbanne suddenly saw his season come to an end.
Wemby from bottom to top
Leading (37-39) at the break after falling behind by eight lengths, the Mets 92, often helped by refereeing, probably had to pinch themselves to believe. Especially since Victor Wembanyama was absent. Faced with the bankruptcy of the MVP of the regular season on the floor of the Astroballe during these first twenty minutes (3 points), two men took over: Bilal Coulibaly, omnipresent in defense and offense, and Barry Brown Jr.
Already author of a three-point game-winner in Game 2, the American distinguished himself by two award-winning long-distance shots in key moments of the first two quarters, then by a basket from the center circle (!) in the middle of the third period. With 18 points, including 75 percent from three-point range, Brown Jr. led the game in scoring. Bilal Coulibaly, who spent more than 36 minutes on the floor (16 points, 4 assists), deserves the honors. But Victor Wembanyama's game sheet (15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks and 2 assists) was decisive.
