The big man erupted for a career-high 28 points, including an explosive first overtime period
Bastien Vautier shines in 2OT thriller, lifts ASVEL over Efes
Ανάλυση αγώνα
3 Χρόνος Ανάγνωσης
Regular Season
Round 18 of 38
Regular Season
LDLC ASVEL VilleurbanneASV
10399
Anadolu Efes IstanbulEFS
Overview
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Bastien Vautier had a night he will never forget. The 27-year-old LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne big man dominated, fought and eventually carried his team to a thrilling 103-99 double-overtime win over the visiting Anadolu Efes Istanbul.
“What an incredible night,” Vautier said in a EuroLeague TV interview after the game. “Crazy night.”
Vautier came into the game averaging 4.6 points and 2.5 rebounds, playing less than 13 minutes a game. In his first season in the EuroLeague, Vautier had scored in double figures only once in the first 17 games: 12 points in the season opener against Valencia Basket.
On Tuesday night, however, Vautier showed how high his ceiling really is, looking like a true EuroLeague star. He finished the game with 28 points, making 10 of 13 two-point shots, and pulling down 4 rebounds. All in 26 minutes on the floor.
In a game in which no team had a double-digit lead, though ASVEL trailed by 9 points on several occasions in the third quarter, nothing was more impressive than Vautier’s performance in the first overtime. Of his team’s 12 points, Vautier first assisted fellow big man Mbaye Ndiaye for an alley-oop dunk, and then went on to score 10 consecutive points, including 2 free throws with 9.9 seconds to go, tying the game at 92-92 and forcing a second overtime.
The second extra session is when Thomas Heurtel reminded us how clutch he can be.
The 36-year-old veteran of 260 EuroLeague appearances, who returned to the competition this season after three years away, made a pair of baskets to maintain a slim ASVEL lead in the second OT. Heurtel turned back the clock against his former team, finishing with 17 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds.
After the final buzzer, it was clear how much the win meant for ASVEL players and the coaching staff.
“I believe we are on the right path. I am very proud of this team”, Vautier said. “I hope this win will change everything.”
Vautier might be onto something. Obviously, there is a good reason ASVEL is at the bottom of the standings, and to understand that, one just needs to look at team’s 10 losses in as many games this season.
However, with this victory, ASVEL is now 5-3 at home. And with the fight the team displayed, they will be all but an easy out.
“Players, all of them fought really hard, and they kept believing we can do it even when we were down [9 points]”, head coach Pierric Poupet said.
“It is not about Xs and Os. It’s not about strategy, not about game plan. It’s all about who wants to win it more and who goes for it. And my guys went for it. We deserved it.”
