Beşiktaş Basketbol guard Jonah Mathews discussed this season and Wednesday's Game 3 clash with JL Bourg-en-Bresse in the EuroCup Semifinals.

Jonah Mathews, Besiktas: ‘We never quit!’

Hello! First, let me explain how we got to this point. This is obviously a historic club, but even just looking at the last two years – even last year, in fact – they were facing relegation. So for them, for the club, for the fans, they brought in a great coach like Dusan Alimpijevic, who is well respected around Europe. He has all of our respect and brought the team from relegation to third in the Turkish League, in addition to making a run in the EuroCup. During the regular season, we started off hot and fell off. We lost a couple of games and ended up being the last team to make the playoffs, which is fine.

But then we went to Dreamland Gran Canaria and beat that team; after that, we kind of gelled together more than we ever have. We were down to Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv by 21 points, then we went back to the locker room together and said: ‘We don't want our season to be like this. Do we want to just be a team that beat Gran Canaria and got to the second round, or do you want to make it all the way?’ It has just been an incredible ride. Turkish fans and the Turkish community, they are with you all the way. Especially this year. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul has a 20 million fan base in Turkiye. We saw what happened in the big arena \[Sinan Erdem Sports Hall\], what we could do when we are winning and when the fans are behind us. There was great energy and it just shows you how passionate our fans are. Earlier in the season we didn't have that many fans, but as we kept on winning and winning and winning, people kept coming out and supporting us. This last game was incredible, and if we win on Wednesday, which I'm positive we will, then it's going to be even crazier than that the final!

Jonah Mathews Top Plays of the 2023-24 Regular Season

2023-24 EuroCup highlights: Jonah Mathews, Besiktas

Coach Alimpijevic and Derek Needham already had this underdog experience two years ago. Derek has been in Europe for a long time and he has seen a lot. I have only been in Europe for three years. I played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, but just because I played there for one year, it doesn't mean you have all the experience in the world. I think Derek and especially Coach helped me change myself this year to be more mature on the court and get to this point. Derek has been here, Coach has been here, and they have been guiding us through it step by step. And just the way they handle things, you could just see he has been here before. We lost the first game in Bourg and he was very calm. He was like: ‘It's one game. I have been down in a series before. And I went to Partizan and won.’ It's one game, so that really like eased my mind after not playing so well in that game. Having Derek as a vet here to guide me and the team has really helped us a lot, too.

It is a love-hate thing when you lead a team in scoring and are one of the top players. The defense is focused on you a lot more, so sometimes it becomes harder to create shots, to get your own shot, to get open for shots. But my teammates do a great job of trusting me to make the right plays. They trust me down the stretch. They find me in the right spots to get my shot going, so I honestly give it up to them. And Coach, he gives me plays to not only create for myself but create for other people, so I like it a lot. My role at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne was way different. Last year they brought me in just to score the ball because we had Nando De Colo, Dee Bost and a lot of guys who could do a lot of different things. This year, it was different when I first got here, having more responsibility on my shoulders. But as the season went on, it got easier and easier to lead the team. I understood what I'm supposed to do on the court.

"The last game is more a case of who wants it more."

It's Game 3 of the semifinals – do-or-die for both teams! In a series like this, with three games, the last game is more a case of who wants it more because you played each other twice. The first game is like a feel out game. We had never played there, we were obviously on the opposite side of the EuroCup bracket, so we never played them before. French basketball and Turkish basketball are way different – the leagues are different. French basketball is more up-tempo and athletic. The Turkish League is way more strategic and trying to find ways to beat teams without being athletic and stuff like that, so that is going to become really important in Game 3. If we can limit their transitions and stop their running, like we did in the second game, I think we will be fine. We’ve got to be aggressive and physical with them because they are a talented team. They have guys who could score if you let them, so I think we have to bring the same type of physicality we did in the second game, the same type of defense.

"We have to bring the same type of physicality we did in the second game."

And to be honest, our shots haven't been falling. I went 0 for 9 from three. One of our best shooters, Yigit Arslan, went 0 for 5. We missed a lot of open shots, layups, stuff like that, so our defense is clicking. But once our offense and defense click simultaneously, I think it will be very good for us. I think I'm going to play maybe in the same two pairs of shoes. I'm very superstitious, so I wore the red Kobes the whole time, but I had to change it up just to see. I changed them back in Game 2 and we won, so I don't know. I will probably start out in the black and change to the red. Or if we are going good, I'll stay with the black.

This will be our fourth do-or-die playoff game this season. So far, we have won all three. We have also been down this year a couple of times and came back. That's one thing about our team – we never quit! Once we get on that road of being aggressive and physical, then I think that's when we come alive, like did down 20 to Hapoel, which is a great team. They have really athletic, really talented guys and they have been together for a couple of years, so to come back from down 20 in a game like that, that just shows our resilience as a team and what we could do when we are all locked in and focused on one goal.

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I want this win really bad, as everybody does on the team, and it is not just a case of making it to the finals. It shows people for next year that wherever you go, if you come to Besiktas, you are a winner. You care about winning at this point. It's not about points. It's not about statistics. It's not about egos. It's not about any of that. It's about winning, showing that you are a winner and that your team can win – this is the biggest thing for us. Getting to the finals after not playing in the EuroCup for eight years would be huge for the club, and winning the EuroCup would be even bigger. For me, personally, it is just a big target on the résumé, for sure. Having these fans in the EuroLeague would be insane… really insane!!

The 26-year-old discussed this season and Wednesday's Game 3 clash with Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse

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

JL Bourg and Beşiktaş Basketbol face off in a do-or-die Game 3 on Wednesday night, with the winner set to face Paris Basketball in the EuroCup Finals.

JL Bourg vs. Beşiktaş Basketbol: A chance to write history 

If seeing two games of the BKT EuroCup semifinal series between Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul wasn’t enough, basketball fans are in for a treat on Wednesday night when the two teams meet for a do-or-die Game 3 at Ekinox.

So far, the home team has won each game in this series, with [Bourg winning 86-74 in France](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bourg-beats-besiktas-86-74-in-semifinals-opener/) in Game 1 before [Besiktas came out on top, 82-71, in Turkiye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/besiktas-blasts-bourg-81-72-to-force-game-3/). Ekinox was packed for Game 1 as 3,500 fans showed up to cheer on Bourg, but Game 2 saw more than four times that number head to Sinan Erdem Sports Hall as 15,200 spectators were in attendance at Besiktas’s temporary home for the night.

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

Dusan Alimpijevic’s squad appeared to be boosted by that extra support, and it will hope to carry the momentum from Game 2 into Wednesday’s Game 3. Frederic Fauthoux’s side, however, has the chance to lean on home comforts once more, with Bourg going 10-1 on its home floor this season, including the postseason. While Besiktas’s record on the road is not as impressive, its 6-6 mark on its travels is not too bad, particularly considering that it knocked out Dreamland Gran Canaria and Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv on their home floor en route to the semifinals.

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

### History at stake

Both Bourg and Besiktas are in unchartered territory when it comes to the EuroCup, with neither club having reached the semifinals before. Yet, a chance to appear in a first-ever finals series is an opportunity that does not come around too often. Bourg is just four years into its EuroCup journey, compared to 10 for Besiktas, although this is a fourth straight campaign in the competition for the French outfit and the first season since 2015-16 for the Turkish squad.

That said, Besiktas is led by the incredibly charismatic Alimpijevic, who shocked Europe by guiding Frutti Extra Bursaspor to the EuroCup Final in 2021-22 when it was a one-legged affair. Bursaspor ended up falling to Virtus Segafredo Bologna, but Alimpijevic has shown in the past that when a series is on the line, his team has a habit of stepping up – just ask Gran Canaria and Hapoel this season.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">📍Yarı final serisinin üçüncü maçı için Fransa’dayız. <br><br>🦅 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Be%C5%9Fikta%C5%9FEmlakjet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeşiktaşEmlakjet</a> 🏆 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eurocup</a> <a href="https://t.co/bh4AiTvmiY">pic.twitter.com/bh4AiTvmiY</a></p>&mdash; Beşiktaş Emlakjet (@BJK_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol/status/1774876541194850776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bourg, meanwhile, is in uncharted territory but has shown that it is more than happy to accept the challenge. In fact, since Fauthoux was appointed as Bourg’s head coach in the summer of 2022, he took the club to its first EuroCup playoff appearance in 2022-23 before a first trip to the quarterfinals and semifinals this season. There’s been an upwards trend since Fauthoux arrived, and Bourg has no desire to stop any time soon.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Quand nous lisons vos commentaires, nous n&#39;avons qu&#39;une chose à vous dire : vous nous rendez fiers ! ❤️🤍<br>Continuons ensemble à faire un max de bruit, à véhiculer un max d&#39;ondes positives et à encourager l&#39;équipe. C&#39;est la période la plus croustillante de la saison ! ❤️‍🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeRedy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeRedy</a> <a href="https://t.co/Tn2y3VB1DC">pic.twitter.com/Tn2y3VB1DC</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1774826231571054951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### The players to watch

Much of the talk heading into this series surrounded Bourg’s [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/), the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, yet it has been his teammate [Isiaha Mike](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/isiaha-mike/011836/) who has really caught the attention of many. Through Games 1 and 2, Mike is averaging 17.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. Risacher, meanwhile, has posted averages of 6.0 points and 2.0 rebounds.

Another individual who impressed in the first two games of this series is [JeQuan Lewis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jequan-lewis/012617/), Bourg’s tenacious two-way guard. Lewis and Mike were the only Bourg players to score a double-digit number of points in Game 2 in Istanbul, with Lewis averaging 12.5 points, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals so far against Besiktas. In addition to Mike, Lewis will be front and center as Bourg attempts to close out the series.

The top plays of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse duo Isiaha Mike and JeQuan Lewis in Games 1 and 2 of the club's BKT EuroCup semifinal series against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul.

Best plays of Mike, Lewis in Games 1 and 2

Interestingly, just three players netted 8 points or more in Bourg’s loss at Besiktas – Mike (19), Lewis (11) and [Bryce Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bryce-brown/012628/) (8) – whereas seven players did so during Game 1 back in France. There is a reason why home-court advantage is so key in the playoffs, and those numbers confirm that assertion; players feel more comfortable and, cheered on by a home crowd, are more likely to rise to the occasion.

What is perhaps even more intriguing is the fact that of the five Besiktas players who scored 10 points or more in Game 2 in Istanbul, four of them did so in Game 1. Therefore, there is reason for Besiktas to feel confident, with dominant center [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/) posting 14.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in this series, while [Matthew Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) (13.5 ppg. against Bourg), [Derek Needham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/derek-needham/008945/) (12.5 ppg.) and [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) (12.5 ppg.) have all shown that they can score against the French team's defense.

The top plays of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul center Angel Delgado in Games 1 and 2 of the club's BKT EuroCup semifinal series against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse.

Delgado's best plays in Games 1 and 2

There is one big X-factor for Besiktas and that is the play of [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/). Following a 4-point showing in Game 1, Mathews responded in Game 2 by scoring a joint team-high 17 points. It is important that Coach Alimpijevic’s other scorers continue to score at a similar rate, if not better, but Mathews could turn out to be the factor that swings Game 3. He is certainly capable of lighting it up, but Bourg will not make it easy.

Which players will become heroes for their respective teams on Wednesday night? Only time will tell, but with a finals series against Paris Basketball on the line, expect to see a tough, gritty, hard-fought contest at Ekinox. Game 3 drama in the EuroCup — you've got to love it.

Zaccharie Risacher of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and Matthew Mitchell of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in action during Game 2 of the teams' 2023-24 BKT EuroCup semifinal series.

Both clubs are looking to reach the EuroCup Finals for the first time

Bourg vs. Besiktas: A chance to write history 

It all comes down to one game, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in a do-or-die battle on Wednesday to reach the 2024 BKT EuroCup Finals. It's Game 3 of a very interesting semifinal series in which both teams have prevailed at home in the first two games. Bourg hosts Game 3, but Besiktas already won two do-or-die games on the road in this year's playoffs. Bourg playmaker JeQuan Lewis, who had been averaging 7.3 points and 8.8 PIR until this series,  but boosted his scoring to 12.5 points and his PIR to 16.0 in the last two games. Lewis believes willpower will be the deciding factor on Wednesday. "I feel like right now we have both adjusted to each other," Lewis said. "I think it's just going to go down to who wants it more, who's going to go out there and fight more, like who's going to get the most 50-50 balls, who's going to play through adversity and control the runs."

 

**Hello, JeQuan. It's your first EuroCup season and you're a game away from the finals. How great is this opportunity for you and Bourg?** 

 

"It's everything for me. This is what I have been working for, to get to this level. And this just being my first year in the EuroCup, and I'm able to kind of help lead my team to the championship, that's just been my goal kind of since day one, coming here to win."

 

**You started the season with an injury. How difficult was it for you to find your rhythm?** 

 

"At the beginning of the season was it was very, very tough for me. I faced a lot of adversity. I had my injuries; they sent me out. And then I had to go home for the death of one of my family members that kind of put me back. But we have a great group of guys and coaching staff here, and they help me through that whole process and gave me all the time I needed to get my mind mentally right and my body physically right."

"This is what I have been working for, to get to this level"

**Now, you are bringing out your best basketball in the playoffs. Is that extra motivation or a full adjustment to the team?** 

 

"No, it's just our will to win. My will to win. Whatever Coach needs me to do, whether it's come out and try to score 20 points or come out and try to get 10 assists. I'm not one of those players who just kind of go out there and just do what I want. I follow through with our scouting and our game plan, and I try to execute it to the best of my ability."

 

**Bourg is a team without superstars. How fun is it to play for such a team-oriented squad?** 

 

"Exactly. For me as a point guard, it's great. It's amazing because it makes my job a whole lot easier. They did a great job of surrounding me with nothing but shooters and guys who can score, can really shoot the ball at a high clip, catch and shoot, which means they can space the floor for me as well, so I can get inside and penetrate. And whether it's dishing out or trying to get my own shot, I kind of have the freedom to kind of do whatever." 

 

**Of course, Zaccharie Risacher gets a lot of attention. How do you see his potential, and what's the best thing about him?** 

 

"Man, the sky's the limit for him. He is a hard worker. He is super, super talented, but it didn't happen overnight. The kid puts in work every single day before and after practice, off days. He doesn't miss a beat. I think the biggest thing for him is just his willingness to learn. A lot of kids were there this age and they were high profile players going into the draft as top five picks. You kind of feel like you know it all. You feel like you are better than everybody. But Zaccharie is one of those kids who is very humble. He listens. He asks questions. He is just a great kid. He just loves to play basketball."

JeQuan Lewis Top Plays of the 2023-24 Regular Season

2023-24 EuroCup highlights: JeQuan Lewis, Bourg

**Time to talk about Besiktas. After two games, is there room for tactical surprises?** 

 

"Oh, yeah. I feel like it's tough playing teams multiple times, especially back-to-back. I feel like right now we have both adjusted to each other. We kind of adjusted to their style of play. I think it's just going to go down to who wants it more, who's going to go out there and fight more, like who's going to get the most 50-50 balls, who's going to play through adversity and control the runs. It's going to be a battle, for sure."

 

**How tough is it to go against Derek Needham, one of the most experienced point guards in the competition?** 

 

"Like you said, he is a great guard. He's experienced and strong. He knows how to control his team and try to get his shots. It's been a tough matchup because they are a good team. But it's also been a fun matchup. I love competition, I love going against the best, and he brings the best out of me, for sure."

 

**Generally speaking, what needs to be done to beat Besiktas and make it to the finals?** 

 

"I think our keys to winning the game is just staying together and playing our basketball. Sometimes when you play teams like Besiktas, they like to get out and run and play fast and shoot fast. You can kind of get lost in that and start doing the same thing. And that's to their advantage. So I feel like as long as we control the game and control the pace and play our style of basketball, then I feel like we can handle business our way."

"I'm just finally getting to where I want to be"

**Paris already in the final, 20-1 this season. You played against them, is it a surprise that they did so well in the EuroCup?** 

 

"No, I'm not surprised. That's a great team. It's a great organization. Their coach and half of the guys won the Champions League last year, in Germany for Bonn. I played them last year when I was in Germany as well and there are just a great team. They have a great core. The pieces they put around the core fit in really well, and they all kind of just playing well together, and playing fast. I'm not surprised at all. Paris is a fun team to watch. They are a fun team to play against. And they are talented."

 

**You played in South Korea, Greece, Israel, Estonia and Germany before joining Bourg. Does this opportunity taste even better after having to grind it out the way you did?** 

 

"Yeah, for sure, because early in my career, when I first came to Europe, I faced a lot of adversity with injuries, clubs not paying on time and the COVID year. It was a lot of stuff I had to go through to kind of get to where I am now. And just to finally be in a position I am now is surreal. But I worked my whole life to be in a position to play at the highest levels. And I'm just finally getting to where I want to be. And I just hope I take advantage of it."

With a do-or-die game to keep playing for the trophy, EuroCup rookie JeQuan Lewis wants to leave everything on the court.

JeQuan Lewis, Bourg: 'It's going to be a battle, for sure'

EuroCup Semifinals Fantasy Tips for Game 3: A true challenge 

For the most serious EuroCup Fantasy Challenge players, this week presents an unusual situation. A full round with only one game: Game 3 of the BKT EuroCup semifinals with Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse hosting Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul. Credits mean almost nothing. Those who have bought and sold players all season and thus increased the amount of credits in their wallets can potentially buy the most expensive coach, two most expensive centers and four most expensive players at both guard and forward and still have credits to spare! So there is no reason to hunt for bargains this week and the real question you should ask yourself when choosing your team is there you expect Bourg or Besiktas to win. Other than that, the questions about the players I am recommending here is: Can you afford not to have them?

[Yigit Arslan, Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (6.0 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yigit-arslan/007914/)

Arslan has not shot well in the semifinals, but he has shot, including a total of 9 three-point attempts and 5 free throws. He has averaged more than 21 minutes per game, too. The opportunity is there, assuming a few shots fall, for Arslan to put up big numbers at a very affordable price. You don’t want to overlook Arslan.

Yigit Arslan in the EuroCup Semifinals

[Angel Delgado, Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (16.3 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/)

By far the most dominant player thus far in the series, Delgado has averaged 14.5 points on 68.4% shooting and 12.5 rebounds per game. Bourg can only hope to contain him, but stopping Delgado appears to be an impossible task. The only risk here is not owning Delgado.

[Axel Julien, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (6.8 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-julien/011161/)

Bourg’s second-string point guard has been effective in both games, putting up a PIR of 13 in the opener and 7 in Game 2. The big difference between those outings was that he shot 6 times at home and once in Istanbul. Look for him to play more comfortably at Ekinox in Game 3 and give back a nice return on the investment.

Axel Julien's top plays in the EuroCup Semifinals

[Jequan Lewis, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (9.3 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jequan-lewis/012617/)

Somewhat quietly, Lewis has been second on the team in both points scored (12.5 ppg.) and average PIR (16) in the semifinals. He is playing consistent minutes and, like many players in this series, played better at home than on the road, which bodes well for him this week.

Here are Frankie Sachs's recommendations for the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge games this week.

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

This week: A winner-take-all semis showdown

### Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul

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.

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2024-03-26T18:00:00.000Z)

Its head coach will hear echoes from Istanbul when Besiktas visits Bourg for decisive Game 3.

 Even without 15,000 Besiktas fans, Alimpijevic relishes do-or-die Game 3 

Rare is the team in any sport, anywhere, that can quintuple its average attendance with the snap of a finger.

That, however, is what Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul on Friday did by moving its BKT EuroCup Semifinals home game from 3,200-seat Akatlar Arena to Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, where the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four was held in 2012 and 2017. 

Like that, 15,200 fans sold out the place, and to say they helped even the best-of-three series 1-1 by pushing Besiktas to a [82-71 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/192/) over visiting Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse is an understatement.

Besiktas football fans were once recorded cheering at 132 decibels, roughly the same noise level as a military jet taking off. Even if you cut that in half or more – but then put a roof over it – you can imagine the din inside Sinan Erdem on Friday.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Incredible atmosphere in Istanbul🦅<a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJK_Basketbol</a> <a href="https://t.co/4LYzSzXpcd">pic.twitter.com/4LYzSzXpcd</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1773769075988046116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Bourg felt the crowd pressure 

The Bourg players were not only challenged to communicate with each other and their bench as normal, but had trouble hearing the referees whistles. It made running an offense difficult. Despite leading by 7 points just at halftime, the game quickly got away from the visitors. 

"It was a great atmosphere to play a basketball game," Bourg coach Frederic Fauthoux said afterward, but "for some \[of our\] guys it was the first time to be in this situation."

Normally steady point guard Hugo Benitez, hounded by defenders as well as the ear-splitting Besiktas crowd, ended up committing 6 of his team's 17 turnovers. 

"I am disappointed, first, because we didn't play our basketball," Fauthoux added. "We knew that Besiktas would play very tough defense, and they did it. And we didn't find the solution, because we just turned over the ball too much. Then we allowed them too many offensive rebounds. To win the big games, those things are basic: control the ball and control the rebound. And we didn't do those things."

### Fans were Besiktas's sixth man

Fauthoux's counterpart, Dusan Alimpijevic, emphasized the role that Besiktas fans played in the result, and he hopes they will get that chance again.

"Before anything else, I have to say that this has been one of the best and craziest atmospheres I have felt in my life," Alimpijevic said. 

"Look at this atmosphere. I believe that no one in EuroCup this year has something like this. They took us and they led us to this victory...I will do everything to come back to come back one more time to Sinan Erdem for the finals."

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Dušan 🦅<a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJK_Basketbol</a> <a href="https://t.co/2Awp3gjpPi">pic.twitter.com/2Awp3gjpPi</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1773807771869159573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

To make that happen, Besiktas has to win next Wednesday at Ekinox arena, where Bourg is 10-1 in the EuroCup this season and has beaten both EuroLeague Playoffs team AS Monaco and EuroCup finalist-in-waiting Paris Basketball.

Alimpijevic won't have 15,200 foundation-shaking fans at his back in Game 3, but considering his 6-2 record in EuroCup elimination games in recent years – all except one of those on the road – neither is he intimidated by the challenge.

"This is exactly what we wanted, to push this series – if we couldn't win the first game – to do-or-die," Alimpijevic said. "I believe that \[Bourg\] was a little more comfortable in the first game because it wasn't do-or-die. Now it is. And I like these do-or-die games."

Game Videos

Game News

Its head coach will hear echoes from Istanbul when Besiktas visits Bourg for decisive Game 3.



Even without 15,000 Besiktas fans, Alimpijevic relishes do-or-die Game 3

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2024-03-29T17:45:00.000Z)

Having romped to the finals, Paris will now face one of two teams it has lost to this season.

 Near-flawless Paris knows well its potential EuroCup Finals foes 

Paris Basketball steamrolled into the BKT EuroCup Finals with a comprehensive run in the playoffs, having beaten Jovtentut Badalona 86-70 on home court in the quarterfinals followed by an impressive 2-0 sweep of London Lions in their best-of-three semifinal series. 

The French franchise, which is aiming for its first trophy in European competition, brushed aside the Lions 99-86 at home and then 85-93 on the road, having fought back from a 45-39 halftime deficit in Game 2 with a vintage second-half performance that drew heaps of praise from head coach Tuomas Iisalo. 

The 41-year-old Finn, who took over at Paris during the off-season after spending the previous two years at German side Telekom Baskets Bonn, highlighted that the fightback epitomized a team mindset that had been instilled from day one of his tenure.

Paris enters this series on a remarkable 11-game winning streak after eliminating Joventut Badalona in the quarters, whereas London roared to the semis with a pair of double-digit do-or-die victories, including a 12-point road triumph against U-BT Cluj Napoca.

Paris Basketball-London Lions | Semifinals Game 1 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup


"We've worked for this very hard since August and the guys put in an enormous amount of effort," Iisalo told the post-game press conference after his team forced the Lions into submission in Game 2.

"We were in a hole today and it feels even better to do it that way because it gives us a lot of confidence. We've done that several times already, it's been an incredible season for us, and now we've got to find a way to get two more (wins). 

"Offensive rebounding has been one of our biggest strengths this season but in the first half, London dominated us with 7 offensive boards. In the end we caught up and solidified our defense in the second half. At halftime we were pretty \[disappointed\] because we all felt we had a golden opportunity here, but it was an incredible second half as the guys locked in and started getting one stop after another."

### Next up, Bourg or Besiktas

In the best-of-three finals, Paris will clash with either compatriots Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse or Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, which are locked 1-1 in their semifinal series ahead of next Wednesday's tie-breaker in Bourg.

As it happens, both sides have been banana skins for the seemingly invincible Paris.

Besiktas gave the French team its sole blemish in the EuroCup with a 63-68 victory in Paris during the regular season. Paris won the reverse fixture 72-95, with TJ Shorts leading the way on 23 points as the visitors got sweet revenge for slipping up the first time round. 

Prepare for a crunch-clash at the summit of Group A as unbeaten Paris are confronted by a Besiktas group situated just one spot behind. TJ Shorts and Nadir Hifi are the leaders for the French team, while the Turks are armed with the physicality of Angel Delgado.

Paris Basketball-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Round 8 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Paris also has met Bourg twice in the French League regular season, wining 83-78 at home before losing 83-81 away against a team that would clearly constitute awkward opposition just as much in the EuroCup final.

### Volumes of character

Last but not least, Paris will also be wary of the experience of outgoing champion Dreamland Gran Canaria, which lost to Bourg late in the regular season and then crashed out in the eighthfinals with a shock 78-80 home defeat by Besiktas.

Iisalo has plenty of reasons to be optimistic though, as he kept his feet firmly on the ground after a job well done against London, refusing to get carried away by his team's rock-solid performance in the series.

"We are very proud of being a very strong collective, on and off the court," he said. "These guys get along incredibly well and it comes from a mutual experience of very tough training. They trust each other and are able to lean on each other in very tough situations, \[the Game 2 win over London\] being a very good example of that."

Iisalo made it clear that his team will be practicing just as hard with the extra time earned by its semifinals sweep in order to be fully ready for whichever finals opponent it faces.

"Big credit to the London Lions, they are very talented and play hard. They are an extremely tough opponent and very well coached. Those are the teams that tell you most about yourself," the Paris boss said. "They expose your weakest links and it's then up to the training process to fix that. We've shown a will and resolve to win as this team has volumes of character and never backs down." 

More Paris Basketball News

Near-flawless Paris knows well its potential EuroCup Finals foes 

London Lions v Paris Basketball (2024-03-29T19:30:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball is into the EuroCup Finals after sweeping its semifinal series against the London Lions.

Paris Basketball had too much depth for battling London Lions

Paris Basketball made a statement of intent as it looks to win the club’s first trophy in European competition after [an 85-93 win at the London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/paris-beats-london-85-93-to-romp-into-eurocup-finals/) completed a 2-0 win over the British team in their best-of-three semifinal series in the BKT EuroCup.

The Lions looked capable of forcing a tiebreaker in the French capital after taking a 45-39 halftime lead in their Copper Box Arena, but they were eventually tamed by a more resourceful rival which fired on all cylinders in the second half.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">LE PARIS BASKETBALL EST EN FINALE DE L’EUROCUP 😍😍😍😍😍 <a href="https://t.co/nUTatGmSvP">pic.twitter.com/nUTatGmSvP</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1773828146283827438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Having [lost Game 1 in Paris 99-86](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/paris-outguns-london-in-game-1-99-86/) on Tuesday, London put up an impressive fight in front of a sellout 6,000 home crowd and outrebounded the visitors 40-34, having also sank 12 three-pointers from 26 attempts (46.2% 3FG).

However, the visitors subdued the Lions when the chips were down and forced them to commit a total of 21 turnovers while confining them to the same number of assists, having stepped up on defense and moved up a gear on the offensive end in the second half.

Paris moved closer to its first-ever EuroCup Finals by downing the Lions 99-86, where T.J. Shorts paced the winners with 23 points and 6 rebounds. The Londoners strive to remain in contention and David Nwaba and Gabe Olaseni could prove key for their prospects.

London Lions-Paris Basketball | Semifinals Game 2 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

[TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/) pulled the strings for Paris with 21 points and 6 assists, having been helped by a cohesive team effort which saw four other Paris players score in double digits. The visitors also dished out 23 assists while committing just 13 turnovers, prompting Shorts to heap praise on his teammates.

“It’s amazing to reach a final, you can’t take these moments for granted because you don’t get to do this every single year,” Shorts said in his post-game comments courtside. “I am not just happy for myself, but for all the guys who were out there fighting. I really don’t have the words right now to describe how I feel.

“Whichever opponent we face, we will try to get some rest between now and the championship series. We’ll break it down and respect them, but first we’ve got a game in the domestic league on Sunday.”

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### Finals series vs. Bourg or Besiktas

Paris, which blew away the opposition this season to reach the EuroCup Finals with an overall 20-1 record, will lock horns with either fellow French outfit Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse or Turkish side Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, which are tied 1-1 in their semifinal series.

Besiktas forced a tiebreaker in France scheduled for Wednesday after levelling the series with Friday’s 82-71 win in Istanbul.

Paris head coach Tuomas Iisalo was just as elated as Shorts after steering his team into the final. “I am really proud of how the guys committed to the process back in August and this kind of reward makes it all worth it,” he said.

“In the second half, we did what we’ve been doing all season. We acknowledged the fact that we were not playing up to our standards and the guys once again leaned on each other like they’ve been doing all season. A simple formula but difficult to execute against a great team like London.”

London head coach Petar Bozic also praised his team for a gritty performance which encapsulated a fine season in the EuroCup, as the Lions became the first British team to reach the last four in European competition.

“I am not just proud, I am happy and honored to be a part of this group,” the Serbian tactician said. “It’s been an amazing season in the EuroCup and we’ve accomplished some historic things for British basketball.” 

Nadir Hifi of Paris Basketball shoots a shot against the London Lions in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

The visitors once again displayed a gulf in class between themselves and the rest of the BKT EuroCup field

Paris had too much depth for battling London Lions

Besiktas big man Angel Delgado broke the EuroCup record for offensive rebounds in a season and every one counted to force Game 3 of the semifinals

 Delgado led forceful Besiktas show on offensive glass 

Playoff basketball is often measured by the grittiest, as opposed to the flashiest, statistics.

Yes, the most points always wins a game. But how those points are manufactured often means more in the playoffs. And for Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, the number that stood out as it pushed its BKT EuroCup Semifinal series to a third and final game was offensive rebounds.

Battling around the basket to collect its own missed shots has been this team's calling card all season, and it was no different as [Besiktas wore down Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse for an 82-71 victory in Game 2 ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/192/)before 15,200 leather-lung fans at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul.

Besiktas pulled 18 offensive rebounds on Friday, a total that has only been exceeded four times in EuroCup Semifinal games over the last 20 years. But ripping boards and taking names was very much at one with the Besiktas forte throughout the season, when its rebounders led the EuroCup with 13.2 of them on the offensive glass per game.

Friday marked the 17th time that any EuroCup team had 18 or more offensive rebounds this season, and it's no surprise that Besiktas has now done it on six occasions. No other team has done it more than twice. 

It's also no surprise that [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/) led the effort with 5, considering he is averaging a double-double of 12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds this season, a remarkable 4.0  of those boards coming on offense. He not only leads the league but is the just the second player ever to average 4.0 or more in 15-plus games in the competition. With his 5 on Friday, Delgado broke the EuroCup record for total offensive boards in a season with 77. 

Delgado, Simonovic and Mitchell's Game 2 highlights vs. Bourg

He had plenty of help this time, though. Fellow big man [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) and forward [Matthew Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) each corralled 3 of their team's misses, while four other players had one each. There were also 3 such boards credited as team rebounds. The resulting 15-9 edge for Besiktas in second-chance points amounted to much of their winning margin.

Forcing 17 turnovers on Bourg and using that for a 14-7 advantage in points off turnovers was another gritty statistic that went the way of Besiktas.

All of it was necessary as Besiktas shot just 6 for 27 from the three-point arc (22.2%) and 18 for 31 at the foul line (58.1%), the kind of numbers that usually lose games.

But in the playoffs, grit often wins, and thanks to that grittiness, Besiktas has lived to fight another day.

"We saw in the first half that we were a little more under pressure than Bourg," Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic said. "Now, this pressure is on their side, and let's see how it will be in France."

A not-so-subtle warning to expect Delgado and co. to be eating glass again in Game 3

The Besiktas big man broke the EuroCup record for offensive rebounds in a season and every one counted to force Game 3 of the semifinals