For the first time in competition history, the BKT EuroCup Finals will be an all-French League affair

BKT EuroCup Finals at a Glance

### Paris Basketball vs. Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse 

The 2024 BKT EuroCup Finals will feature two of the top teams in French basketball, which are both seeking to become the third club from their league in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague next season. Paris will host Game 1 as well as Game 3, if necessary, of the best-of-three series with the opener set for [Tuesday, April 9](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/195/). Paris has the best record in the EuroCup this season after posting a 17-1 mark in the regular season and going undefeated in the playoffs, including a sweep of London Lions in the semifinals. Bourg finished the regular season atop Group B with a 14-4 record and reached the finals with a grueling 2-1 series win over Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in the semifinals. When they last met in the French League, Isiaha Mike and Maksim Salash scored 14 points apiece to lead Bourg to an 83-81 home win in December. 

Paris Basketball v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2024-04-14T22:00:00.000Z)

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Paris Basketball (2024-04-12T17:30:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2024-04-09T18:30:00.000Z)

Semifinals MVP: TJ Shorts, Paris Basketball

Paris Basketball star guard [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/) knew that a place in the BKT EuroCup Finals was on the line and stepped up his performances to another level in the semifinals, causing headache after headache for a London Lions side that simply had no answer when it came to stopping him.

Shorts was instrumental in Paris sweeping its series with London, winning 2-0, and his 28.5 PIR average shows just how key he was. The 26-year-old, who was also the EuroCup Quarterfinals MVP, led all players in scoring during the semifinals, averaging 22.0 points per game, while he also topped the charts in assists (6.0) and steals (4.0). This, his fifth MVP honor of the season, is a reflection of his dominance.

His 7 straight points, following a three by Mikael Jantunen and a two-pointer by Tyson Ward, in the early stages of the third quarter in Game 1 took him to 17 points personal and helped Paris break the contest open, with the French side leading 54-49 at halftime and then up 17 points, 66-49, 2:46 into the second half. From there, Paris and Shorts, who finished with a 33 PIR and 23 points – both of which are the most by any player in the semifinals – as well as 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals, never looked back en route to a 99-86 win at Adidas Arena.

Paris Basketball star guard TJ Shorts knew that a place in the BKT EuroCup Finals was on the line and stepped up his performances to another level in the semifinals, causing headache after headache for a London Lions side that simply had no answer when it came to stopping him.
Shorts was instrumental in Paris sweeping its series with London, winning 2-0, and his 28.5 PIR average shows just how key he was. The 26-year-old, who was also the EuroCup Quarterfinals MVP, led all players in scoring during the semifinals, averaging 22.0 points per game, while he also topped the charts in assists (6.0) and steals (4.0). This, his fifth MVP honor of the season, is a reflection of his dominance.

TJ Shorts | Semifinals MVP | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Likewise, Shorts also stepped up late in Game 2 in the English capital. Having recorded 16 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals through the first 30 minutes, at which point Paris was narrowly ahead by two points, 64-66, Shorts helped put the game to bed by amassing 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals in the fourth quarter alone, taking his game tallies to 21 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals, the last of which was the most by any player in the semifinals. He had a 24 PIR in that game, too.

JL Bourg-en-Bresse is into its first-ever European final after beating Beşiktaş Basketbol in Game 3 of the 2023-24 EuroCup Semifinals, but everyone is keeping their feet on the ground.

Bourg keeping its eye on the prize after knocking off Besiktas

It was party time inside Ekinox when the final buzzer sounded on Wednesday night, with Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse reaching its first European final in club history following [an 89-63 Game 3 win over Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bourg-beats-besiktas-89-63-to-reach-the-eurocup-finals/).

The final scoreline didn’t reflect how tight things were through the first 30 minutes – Bourg led by six points entering the fourth quarter – but an emphatic finish to the game set up an all-French matchup with Paris Basketball in the BKT EuroCup Finals.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Their first EuroCup final for <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JLBourgBasket</a> and that&#39;s how they celebrate it👇👀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/YZOvhAkZmC">pic.twitter.com/YZOvhAkZmC</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1775619544876220481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Although the Bourg fans were having the time of their lives in the bleachers, and the likes of forward [Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/) and head coach Frederic Fauthoux were delighted with the result, there was a collective understanding afterward that a big challenge is coming up, starting next Tuesday night at Adidas Arena in the French capital.

“I think we had the perfect game in this semifinal, with great intensity, great energy,” Coach Fauthoux commented in the post-game press conference. “We controlled a lot of things in this game. I think we deserved to win today in this semifinal, but it’s not over. We are happy, but we’ll stay focused.”

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse head coach Frederic Fauthoux spoke to the TV cameras after his team's Game 3 triumph against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Coach Fauthoux speaks post-Besiktas win

It was a similar rhetoric from Salash, who finished as the player of the game with 19 points, more than any other player. Salash helped Spanish side San Pablo Burgos become the Basketball Champions League champion in 2020-21 and now has the chance to lift the EuroCup with Bourg in his debut season in the competition, yet he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

“It’s my first season playing in the EuroCup and we’ve gone straight to the finals, so it feels amazing,” he noted in the flash interview courtside. “But we still have one more step to do, you know? Just the final \[awaits\]. We haven’t won yet, so we’ve got to work hard.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">LA JL BOURG EST EN FINALE D&#39;EUROCUP<br><br>JE RÉPÈTE LA JL BOURG EST EN FINALE D&#39;EUROCUP 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/sCcjTyZ0QA">pic.twitter.com/sCcjTyZ0QA</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1775614478211559447?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

One of the keys to Bourg’s success this season has been the way in which you never know which player will step up at any one time, which was exemplified by Salash’s big night.

Another bench player, [Axel Julien](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-julien/011161/), came up big with 11 points – the same total he had in Bourg’s 86-74 win in Game 1 – while back-to-back threes from [Maxime Courby](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maxime-courby/010450/), percentage-wise the sixth-best three-point shooter in EuroCup history (47.6%), saw Bourg make it 72-60 and then 75-60 in the fourth as the French side pulled away for good.

It all comes down to a single game, a one-and-done contest. Bourg returns to the comforts of its home floor, where it has a 10-1 record this season, while Besiktas boast one of EuroCup's best road accounts in 23/24 at 6-6, but whose dream ends here?

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Semifinals Game 3 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

There was even the chance for 40-year-old guard [Earl Rowland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/earl-rowland/000498/) to get some minutes late in the game, with the veteran netting his 400th two-point shot in the EuroCup, the fifth most all time. 

There has been so much talk about [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/), the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but Bourg regularly finds ways to come out on top. All eyes are likely to be on Risacher heading into the EuroCup Finals, but Paris should be warned: Bourg is a whole lot more than just its 18-year-old prodigy.

Game News

Axel Julien of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (right) is guarded by Marko Simonovic of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (left) in Game 3 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

An all-French finals series against Paris Basketball awaits

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2024-04-03T17:30:00.000Z)

Maksim Salash matched his EuroCup career high by scoring 19 points in JL Bourg-en-Bresse's Game 3 win against Beşiktaş Basketbol.

Maksim Salash had a night he and Bourg will never forget

All eyes were on [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/) heading into [Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse’s win-or-go-home Game 3 clash against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bourg-beats-besiktas-89-63-to-reach-the-eurocup-finals/) on Wednesday night, yet it was his teammate, [Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/), who walked away as the hero.

 

The first half was a pretty tight affair, with Bourg leading 44-41 at the break, but Salash played a vital role in fighting off a Besiktas comeback attempt in the third quarter before the French side went on to win by a whopping 26 points, 89-63.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Y&#39;a pas de relâchement qui soit ! En défense comme en attaque, faut être pointilleux sur tous les fronts ⚔️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeRedy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeRedy</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/lRyFrAI9fB">pic.twitter.com/lRyFrAI9fB</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1775595129367044106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With [Bodian Massa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bodian-massa/012618/) having been ejected in the second quarter and [Kevin Kokila](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kevin-kokila/011837/) in foul trouble early in the third, it was Salash who ensured that Bourg retained a threat inside, scoring 11 third-quarter points. He also played an important role in getting the Besiktas players to collect fouls, drawing three in the third period alone.

 

Come the end of the night, Salash had a game-high 19 points, matching the career high he set at ratiopharm Ulm in Round 9, in 19 minutes on the floor, in addition to 4 rebounds and 5 drawn fouls. Only Kokila (8) and [JeQuan Lewis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jequan-lewis/012617/) (6) drew more fouls than Salash from a Bourg perspective, and only [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/), who was ejected alongside Massa, could match his 5 from the Besiktas side of things.

Maksim Salash had a game-high 19 points as Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse beat Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul 89-63 in Game 3 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Maksim Salash's highlights vs. Besiktas

Salash, playing in his rookie EuroCup season, has shown that he is more than capable of playing at this level over the course of the campaign, yet he still retains a team-first mentality, something that is commonplace among the Bourg players.

“I guess I had the hot hand today, but it doesn’t matter, it’s a team effort,” Salash said afterward. “Everybody scored today for our team, so that says a lot. Our bench is very big – everybody is playing and contributing for the win.”

Maksim Salash of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse spoke to the media after his team's Game 3 triumph against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Maksim Salash speaks post-Besiktas win

A tough-looking finals series against Paris Basketball awaits, but with Salash playing at this sort of level – and many of his teammates contributing, too – Bourg will certainly fancy its chances.

Maksim Salash looks to score for Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in Game 3 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

He stepped up big for his team in a do-or-die Game 3

JL Bourg-en-Bresse has made it to the EuroCup Finals after beating Beşiktaş Basketbol 89-63 in Game 3 of their best-of-three semifinal matchup.

Bourg beats Besiktas 89-63 to reach the EuroCup Finals

The BKT EuroCup Finals series is set after Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse defeated Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul 89-63 at Ekinox on Wednesday night in Game 3 of their best-of-three semifinal matchup. Bourg’s triumph means that it will face Paris Basketball in the finals in an all-French affair.

[Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/) paced Bourg on the night with a joint career high of 19 points, while [Axel Julien](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-julien/011161/) added 11 and [Isiaha Mike](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/isiaha-mike/011836/) and [Kevin Kokila](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kevin-kokila/011837/) both chipped in with 10 apiece. [Derek Needham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/derek-needham/008945/) was Besiktas’s lone double-digit scorer on the night, netting 18.

Game Videos

The game got off to a good start for Bourg as it opened a 7-0 lead, with Besiktas’s first points of the night coming almost three and half minutes into the first quarter. Besiktas was able to keep things close through [Kyle Allman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-allman/011924/) and [Kerem Konan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kerem-konan/011379/), with [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) having to go to the bench with two early fouls, but Bourg was able to get scores from multiple players, like Kokila, Julien and Salash, as it ended the first 10 minutes with a 23-21 advantage.

Besiktas tied the game on a couple of occasions in the second quarter as Needham and Mathews combined to cause problems for the hosts, but Mike hit back a couple of times to ensure Bourg stayed in front, 33-30. However, after Needham and Mathews combined to give Besiktas its first lead of the night, 35-37, there was a coming together between [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/), [Bodian Massa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bodian-massa/012618/) and Mike which resulted in Delgado and Massa being ejected from the game. Delgado got hit with an unsportsmanlike foul and a technical, whereas Massa was given a disqualifying foul. Five straight points to end the half saw Bourg lead 44-41 at the break.

[Jeremy Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jeremy-morgan/010431/), who was dealing with a bad ankle in the first half, reappeared for the second half and made quite the impression as he put Bourg 48-44 ahead, before foul trouble started to really affect Besiktas. Needham gave the Turkish side what proved to be its last lead of the game, 48-49, then not long after Mathews was called for his fourth foul, leading to a technical against head coach Dusan Alimpijevic. It looked as though it was going to become one-way traffic, but Besiktas’s bench guys, such as [Samet Yigitoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/samet-yigitoglu/011357/) and [Berk Ugurlu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/berk-ugurlu/003783/), used their hustle to keep things tight, with Bourg up 65-59 after 30 minutes.

[Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) went 1 for 2 from the free-throw line to start the fourth quarter, making it 65-60, but the wheels would soon fall off for Besiktas. Salash would score a layup, [Hugo Benitez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/hugo-benitez/010449/) netted a jumper and [Maxime Courby](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maxime-courby/010450/) struck a corner three to suddenly make it a 12-point game, 72-60. Then, Mathews fouled out and Bourg capitalized by draining back-to-back threes, first from Courby and then from [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/), 78-60. Simonovic was the next to foul out, before Coach Alimpijevic received his second technical and was ejected. Bourg coasted the rest of the way en route to an 89-63 victory, having held Besiktas to just 4 fourth-quarter points.

Zaccharie Risacher of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse shoots a three-pointer against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in Game 3 of their matchup in the BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

The French side pulled away in the fourth quarter to continue its magical journey

The BKT EuroCup Finals series is set after Bourg defeated Besiktas 89-63 at Ekinox on Wednesday night in Game 3 of their best-of-three semifinal matchup. 

Game Center: Bourg makes the EuroCup Finals!

### [Bourg 89-63 Besiktas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bourg-beats-besiktas-89-63-to-reach-the-eurocup-finals/)

The BKT EuroCup Finals series is set after Bourg defeated Besiktas 89-63 at Ekinox on Wednesday night in Game 3 of their best-of-three semifinal matchup. Bourg’s triumph means that it will face Paris Basketball in the finals in an all-French affair. [Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/) paced Bourg on the night with a joint career high of 19 points, while [Axel Julien](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-julien/011161/) added 11 and [Isiaha Mike](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/isiaha-mike/011836/) and [Kevin Kokila](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kevin-kokila/011837/) both chipped in with 10 apiece. [Derek Needham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/derek-needham/008945/) was Besiktas’s lone double-digit scorer on the night, netting 18.

Having defeated Besiktas, Frederic Fauthoux's men will fight against Paris for the EuroCup title

Bourg and Besiktas are set to play Game 3 of the semifinals, with the winner joining Paris in the BKT EuroCup Finals.

Preview: Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/194/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ec2324-sf-g3-game-notes-facts-bou-bes/) | [Breawdown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/semifinals-breakdown-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-vs-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals have come down to a single game, a one-and-done contest on Wednesday in which [Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse will host Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/194/) for a right to play in the finals.

Bourg returns to the comforts of its home floor at Ekinox arena, where it has a 10-1 record this season, having won six of those games by double-digit margins, including [an 86-74 victory over Besiktas in Game 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/190/). The team's top scorer, [Isiaha Mike](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/isiaha-mike/011836/) (13.0 ppg., 4.2 rpg.), shined in that series opener with 16 points and 6 rebounds,. He was joined by four other double-digit scorers that night, including [JeQuan Lewis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jequan-lewis/012617/) who had 14 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.

Besiktas, on the other hand, has been one of EuroCup's best road teams this season. Head coach Dusan Alimpijevic and his men have a 6-6 record away from home, including victories in one-and-done eighthfinals and quarterfinals games. But Besiktas used its home floor to tie this series on Friday, [beating Bourg 82-71 in Game 2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/192/) with [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) and [Matthew Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) scoring 17 points apiece, while [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/) collected 14 points and 9 rebounds. Mathews (15.1 ppg.) is Besiktas' top scorer and Delgado (12.0 ppg., 10.0 rpg.) is the competition's second-best rebounder.

The winner of this game will go on to face Paris Basketball in the best-of-three 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Finals, which are set to begin on Tuesday, April 9.

[Bourg Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/statistics/bou/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Besiktas Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/statistics/bes/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Zaccharie Risacher vs. Matthew Mitchell

Bourg opened the tie with an 86-74 victory, in which they never trailed after the opening minutes and led by as many as 18. Besiktas are hoping to level matters and may rely on Angel Delgado, who was their top performer in Game 1 with 15 points and 16 rebounds.

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul -Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse | Semifinals Game 2 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

This marks uncharted territory for both teams. Besiktas will try to become the third straight Turkish team to reach the finals, whilst Bourg seeks to become the first French finalist since Strasbourg in 2016, but which will gain the advantage in the opening encounter?

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Semifinals Game 1 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Bourg and Besiktas are set to play Game 3 of the semifinals, with the winner joining Paris in the BKT EuroCup Finals

It's win or go home for Bourg, Besiktas

Check out the Game 3 predictions from EuroCupbasketball.com staff members for the BKT EuroCup semifinals.

Semifinals predictions: Game 3, Bourg vs. Besiktas

### Bourg gives us an all-French final 

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

The more I ask myself questions about this series, the more confidence I have that Bourg will win. Does home-court advantage matter? Yes. Do I expect a third straight poor outing from Bourg's Zaccharie Risacher? No. Is there a more effective player in this series than Angel Delgado? No. Do I think Bourg is better prepared to slow him down in Game 3? Probably. Which team's bench has impressed more in the series? Bourg's. Is Jeremy Morgan due a break-out game? Probably. Is Bourg, which shot 39.1% from deep during the regular season, going to improve on its 33.3% from behind the arc in this series? I think so. Essentially, the more I examine what has happened so far this season and in this series, the more I am confident that we will have an all-French League final. My pick: Bourg by 8. 

### Besiktas does it again 

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

Anything can happen in Game 3. Besiktas has the experience and has survived three do-or-die games in this year's playoffs. Head coach Dusan Alimpijevic and playmaker Derek Needham know what it takes to reach the EuroCup Finals against all odds. It will not be easy for Besiktas, as Bourg has the home-court advantage and should prevail in Game 3. A team with no stars is always more unpredictable, as any player can step up at any given time. As many as seven Bourg players have reached double digits in scoring at some point in three playoffs games. It is all about imposing the right rhythm and wanting it more, and Besiktas has done exactly that against Dreamland Gran Canaria, in the second half against Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, and in Game 2 of this series. Top scorer Jonah Mathews is 0 for 12 from downtown in the series and that will probably change, too. My pick: Besiktas. 

### Bourg makes history

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

A do-or-die series finale is any basketball fan’s dream, and I am sure we are set to see major drama in Game 3. Bourg worked all season long to be in this position, to have a home-court advantage in elimination games. For Bourg, that carries even more weight as the team has lost just one of 11 games at the Ekinox this season. Frederic Fauthoux’s troops have passed all the tests so far, won all the important games this season, and I think they win another one, downing Besiktas once again. My pick: Bourg.

### Besiktas will haunt Bourg

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Here we are – Game 3! Bourg and Besiktas split the first two games of this semifinal series, with both teams winning at home, but I believe we'll finally see a road winner on Wednesday night. Besiktas has already shown in the playoffs that it can go on the road and win, defeating Dreamland Gran Canaria and Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv on its travels in the eighthfinals and quarterfinals, respectively. Angel Delgado has been a monster in this series, averaging 14.5 points and 12.5 rebounds, and I think he'll play a pivotal role once more. I also expect to see a big game from Jonah Mathews as head coach Dusan Alimpijevic reaches the EuroCup Finals for the second time in three years with two different teams. My pick: Besiktas.

### Bourg silences the doubters

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

I have no choice here. I picked a Bourg-Paris final series in my bracket before the playoffs started. I'd be a fool to change horses now. But make no mistake, Bourg will have it tough. Besiktas upped its intensity in the second half of Game 2, pushed by their 15,000-strong crowd, and if the visitors can retain that defensive fervor, which they have shown on the road plenty of times before, this will be a grind-out game. Can Bourg win such a defensive battle? Of course. Not only does it have the league's second-best defense, but Bourg has won every game that mattered at home all season. Several home-team players are due for better performances than they've had to date in this series. The key will be how much Bourg can limit Besiktas big men Angel Delgado and Marko Simonovic and how well the hosts take care of the ball. Their talent and tenacity in the middle positions is a given. Bourg has been underestimated all season and just keeps on getting the job done. My pick: Bourg.