Check out the predictions from EuroCupbasketball.com staff members for Game 2 of the BKT EuroCup Finals, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Paris Basketball.
Finals, Game 2 predictions: Bourg vs. Paris
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4 Mins read
Paris will complete a playoffs sweep
by Igor Petrinovic
Paris Basketball has been, hands down, the best team in the EuroCup this season. What has impressed me is that the team has not shied away from the moment. As impressive as Paris was in the regular season, head coach Tuomas Iisalo's young team continued the same way in the playoffs: four postseason games, four wins, all without much drama, by the winning margin of eight points or more. Bourg has deserved its place in the finals and has played great defense, but I think the first half of Game 1 showed how dominant Paris can be. I think Paris leaves nothing to chance and finishes the job in style on Friday night, sweeping its way through the playoffs, winning the EuroCup crown, and earning its ticket to the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. My pick: Paris by double digits.
Bourg will tie the series at home
by Javier Gancedo
Game 1 gave us the chance to see Bourg playing arguably its worst basketball of the season before halftime: turnovers, missed shots and a tremendous lack of confidence. Everything changed in the second half, when Bourg held Paris to just 23 points, setting the tone on offense with spectacular dunks and better shot selection. I believe we will see more of the latter in Game 2, as Bourg has played really well throughout the season. Players like Isiaha Mike and Maksim Salash should get close to their usual numbers, plus head coach Frederic Fauthoux should make the right adjustments. What's more, Bourg plays with one of the most underrated home crowds in the competition. Expect Ekinox to be completely packed, allowing Bourg to play much better and take the series back to Paris for do-or-die Game 3: My pick: Bourg.
Paris to sweep against Bourg
by Geoff Gillingham
Okay, this isn't the boldest prediction in the world but I think Paris will wrap up the EuroCup Finals tonight and finish the 2023-24 season with an unbeaten road record. Bourg did beat Paris 83-81 at Ekinox in the French League back in December, but Tuomas Iisalo's players will be out to avenge that defeat and book their ticket for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. In particular, I expect Paris's star duo of TJ Shorts and Nadir Hifi to get the job done. My pick: Paris.
Bourg will bounce back
by Frank Lawlor
Staying true to my near-perfect pre-playoffs bracket, I say this series goes the limit. Bourg wasn't ready for the Mike Tyson-like start that Paris began the series with, ripping boards and running, attacking the basket relentlessly, and more or less delivering the Game 1 knockout blow by the middle of the second quarter. But Bourg did what good teams do in such circumstances and laid the foundation for a longer series by buckling down on defense and taking the second half of Game 1 by 23-33. In fact, Paris only won the last three quarters of the series opener by 54-53. That shows that Bourg has the chops to compete in this series, and I think they'll do that on their home floor on Friday. My pick: Bourg.
Welcome to the EuroLeague, Paris!
by Frankie Sachs
Anything can happen in one game, of course, but there is little doubt as to the better team. Paris showed that in the first half on Tuesday and even though Bourg found itself in the second half, it was too little, too late. The question is whether Bourg uncovered something that will carry over into Game 2 or if Paris was just coasting with what it felt was an insurmountable lead. My hunch is the latter. Bourg has had an unbelievable season. It probably ends tonight. Congratulations to Paris. See you next season in the EuroLeague. My pick: Paris.