The latest chapters in the EuroCup rivalry between Paris Basketball and the London Lions will be written during the best-of-three semifinals.

The Paris Basketball, London Lions rivalry is ready to go to new heights

Paris and London. Two of the world’s biggest cities, and two capitals that have a curious rivalry that has taken on a new chapter – yes, in the (wonderful) world of basketball.

Ever since their arrival in the BKT EuroCup in the 2022-23 season, Paris Basketball and the London Lions have been endlessly compared. After all, they are two franchises shooting for the top. Or, in other words, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

For Paris and London, there has been no separating one another. That has helped build the narrative in this rivalry, too.

### How the games have played out

The 2022-23 regular season witnessed the first-ever meeting between the two, which led to plenty of build up and what was at the time a record attendance at Copper Box Arena in Round 9, with 5,297 fans watching on from the bleachers. The London fans, which included celebrities such as Maya Jama, Julie Adenuga and Antigoni, were treated to influencer Yung Filly as the game’s host and a halftime performance from rapper K-Trap. Yet, on the court, [the Lions fell 80-93 as Paris’s depth made the difference](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ec2223-rs9-report-lli-prs/). In this brand-new rivalry, it was 1-0 Paris.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Best seat in the house for <a href="https://twitter.com/MayaJama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mayajama</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JulieAdenuga?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@julieadenuga</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/jammerbbk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jammerbbk</a> last night ❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wearelondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wearelondon</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ik6mrbLJyA">pic.twitter.com/Ik6mrbLJyA</a></p>&mdash; London Lions (@LondonLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonLions/status/1605929747460067331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When they met in the French capital in Round 18, it was a far more low-key affair. Just 800 people were present inside Halle Georges Carpinter for a game that had little significance, with Paris and London having already qualified for the playoffs and unable to change their seeding. The Lions, despite being without star player [Sam Dekker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/sam-dekker/009672/), nevertheless wanted to make amends for its Round 9 defeat to Paris and [managed to grab an 85-96 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/london-exacts-revenge-against-paris-85-96/) in a focused performance.

When the two clubs were once again paired in the same regular-season group this year, it felt like this rivalry could grow even further – and it has. Following a summer in which Paris overhauled its entire roster and brought in a new head coach in Tuomas Iisalo, London kept its main core together but also made some top-notch signings and appointed a new head coach in Petar Bozic.

(Image credit: IMAGO/Federico Pestellini)

The two teams took a big leap forward from day one, and a club-record 6,152 fans packed out Copper Box Arena for the visit of Paris in Round 4. That was just the second time London has had a 5,000-plus crowd in the EuroCup, and both have come for games against Paris. If there was any doubt, this is a fixture that is circled on the calendar for Lions fans.

While there was a spectacle off the court for London’s first game against Paris, the second meeting at Copper Box Arena was a far more basketball-orientated affair – and the crowd were able to watch not 40, not 45, but 50 minutes of elite-level basketball full of thrills and spills. The double-overtime thriller earned headlines right across the continent as fans reveled in the atmosphere for a basketball game in London, a city where this sport is rapidly on the rise.

In particular, Dekker’s game-tying three-pointer at the end of regulation caused an eruption inside Copper Box Arena that showed just how far London – and basketball in England in general – has grown since its EuroCup debut. However, after [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/) had impressed inside the first 40 minutes, [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) stepped up for Paris in both overtime periods by playing a key role in [the eventual 102-106 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/paris-outlasts-london-after-double-overtime-102-106/) as the Parisians improved to 2-1 in the all-time series between these two.

London Lions-Paris Basketball | Round 4 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Then, in Round 13, [Paris did the double over the Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/paris-completes-sweep-of-london-94-77/) for the first time by coming out on top at Halle Georges Carpentier, 94-77, in front of 2,764 people. Hifi once again showed what he is capable of, netting 26 points, but London’s night was compounded by Dekker going down with an injury early in the third quarter when the score was 54-46. Still, it was quite a statement by Coach Iisalo’s side and it was the first time a team had won by a comfortable margin in this series.

### What to expect in this new chapter

All of that history brings us to the EuroCup Semifinals. Paris and London will go head-to-head in a best-of-three series, with the French side having a potential do-or-die Game 3 at home courtesy of securing a higher seed in the regular season. The interesting part is that this derby will take on a new home for the game – or games – in the French capital, as Paris is now playing at the brand-new adidas arena. So far, Iisalo’s men are 1-0 there in the EuroCup.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">POUR UNE PLACE EN FINALE⚡️<br><br>BILLETTERIE OUVERTE 🔥<br><br>La première manche se joue à la maison le 26 mars ‼️ <br><br>On continue la rivalité avec Londres 😈 <br>On mène 2-0, objectif 3-0 tu poses la manette 🎮<br><br>IL FAUDRA UN VOLCAN 🌋<br><br>🎟️<a href="https://t.co/9oT7p2SxzJ">https://t.co/9oT7p2SxzJ</a>🎟️ <a href="https://t.co/NrCK95iXQW">pic.twitter.com/NrCK95iXQW</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1768722453121913097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Paris moving to adidas arena is just another sign of the progress these two clubs are making, on and off the court, and it’s something that Dekker could see coming a long time ago.

“I definitely see similarities between the way London and Paris are going about things, from the top down – from ownership to the front office to the players,” [Dekker said ahead of the first-ever game between these two clubs](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/videos/sam-dekker-london-we-feel-so-ready-for-these-games/?player=009672&title=SAM%20DEKKER) back in 2022. “\[They’re\] trying to build that culture from within, grow basketball in those areas in two big cities. I love the way they’re both going about it, trying to grow their brand, and trying to put on exciting shows for fans and new basketball fans.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THE EUROCUP SEMIFINALS! 🦁<br><br>🇬🇧 London vs <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@parisbasketball</a> 🇫🇷<br><br>It’s the biggest game in our team’s history and tickets are ON SALE NOW! 🎟<br><br>🏆 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eurocup</a> semifinal, game 2<br>🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@parisbasketball</a> 🇫🇷<br>📆 Friday 29th March<br>📍 <a href="https://twitter.com/CopperBoxArena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@copperboxarena</a><br>⏰ 7:30pm<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreLondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreLondon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a></p>&mdash; London Lions (@LondonLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonLions/status/1769840483616923996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Should either Paris or London go on to make it to the EuroLeague, with just the EuroCup Finals against either Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse or Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul standing in their way, it would be a big step towards something that feels inevitable: two of Europe’s most powerful cities in the elite of European basketball.

First, though, the fifth and sixth chapters are ready to be written in the EuroCup Semifinals. Who knows, we may need a seventh chapter, too.

Paris Basketball's Collin Malcolm and the London Lions' Sam Dekker get ready to fight for the rebound during their teams' Round 13 clash earlier this season.

Their series in the EuroCup Semifinals will make for must-watch TV

The Paris, London rivalry is ready to go to new heights

Paris Basketball v London Lions (2024-03-26T19:45:00.000Z)

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

The Group B winner will square off against a historically dangerous upset-monger in the BKT EuroCup semifinals.

Semifinals breakdown: Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul

BKT EuroCup semifinalists Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul both took different paths to reach this stage and now they are each two wins shy of playing for the trophy. Bourg, which finished atop Group B in the regular season with a 14-4 record, knocked off a semifinalist from the season before, Prometey Slobozhanske, 95-82 in the quarterfinals last week. Besiktas, which was sixth in Group A with a 9-9 mark, knocked out defending champion Dreamland Gran Canaria 78-80 in the eighthfinals before rallying past Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 89-94 in the quarters. [Bourg will host Game 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/190/) of the best-of-three series on Tuesday, March 26, with [Game 2 set for Istanbul three days later](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/192/). Game 3, if needed, will return to Bourg’s Ekinox on Wednesday, April 3.  

### The upset kings

There has never been anything quite like what Coach Dusan Alimpijevic and point guard [Derek Needham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/derek-needham/008945/) have done together. Over the last three seasons, since the introduction of the single-game elimination formats from the eighthfinals, [the coach and point guard have together won five of their six games](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gambling-on-each-other-has-helped-needham-alimpijevic-succeed/). The rest of the EuroCup together has gone 7-25. 

They began their run with Frutti Extra Bursaspor in 2022, when they upset Partizan Belgrade, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and MoraBanc Andorra en route to the EuroCup Final, where Bursaspor fell to Virtus Segafredo Bologna. This season the duo came together to Besiktas and have already won two more games on the road. 

Bourg is by no means a slouch at home. It won its first seven home games this season and is 9-1 at Ekinox thus far, but no one in competition history has made the home-court advantage a mockery quite like Alimpijevic and Needham. 

### Besiktas’s French (League) Connection

Besiktas scorer [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) made his EuroLeague debut last season in France with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, where he was a teammate of Bourg forward [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/). Besiktas guard [Kyle Allman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-allman/011924/) and forward [Matt Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) also played in the French League last season. Allman suited up for Paris Basketball and Mitchell was with Strasbourg. Needham also has a history in the French League (AS Monaco, 2018-19).

On the other side, Bourg guard [Bryce Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bryce-brown/012628/)’s first stop in Europe was with Besiktas, though it proved to be a short one. He started last season with Besiktas and averaged 9.5 points and 3 rebounds in a pair of Turkish League games before they parted ways. Brown resurfaced in Poland where he was MVP of the finals with Wilki Morskie Szczecin before joining Bourg over the summer. Youngsters [Yagiz Aksu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yagiz-aksu/012233/) and [Samet Yigitoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/samet-yigitoglu/011357/) are the only remaining Besiktas players from Brown’s brief spell at the club.

Besiktas Istanbul, JL Bourg en Bresse Top Plays from 09/30/2023 to 03/21/2024

Bourg and Besiktas's top plays in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

### Key stats – rebounds and threes

Despite all that went well for Bourg this season, the club has been outrebounded on average by 2.4 boards per game. It has allowed an average of 11.6 offensive rebounds per game, which is fifth most in the EuroCup. In contrast, Besiktas has outrebounded its opponents by 1.6 rebounds per game and leads the competition with 13.5 offensive boards per outing. [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/) leads all players with 3.8 offensive rebounds and is second in the EuroCup with 9.7 rebounds per game. While Bourg’s top board-getter, [Kevin Kokil](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kevin-kokila/011837/)a (4.6 rpg.) only has one game with 9 rebounds this season, Delgado has nine double-doubles. 

Bourg has impressed this season on the perimeter with its three-point shooting and its ability to stop opponents from making triples. The French squad’s 39.2% accuracy from deep is fourth-best in the EuroCup led by teenage sensation Risacher’s 53.3%, which is third-best in the EuroCup. The long arms of Risacher are among the reasons that Bourg boasts the best defensive three-point shooting allowed, with opponents making a EuroCup-low 29.2% of their triples. Besiktas is last in three-point shooting at 31.6%, though it rose to the occasion in the quarterfinals when as a team it shot 13 for 29 (44.8%) with Mathews and Needham sinking 4 each. Besiktas will seek a similar display against Bourg’s staunch defense.

The Group B winner will square off against a historically dangerous upset-monger

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

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

When Paris Basketball and the London Lions first entered the BKT EuroCup in the 2022-23 campaign, they both had the same goal: to get to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as soon as possible. Now, in just their second year in the competition, just a best-of-three semifinal series separates them from a spot in the EuroCup Finals.

Semifinals breakdown: Paris Basketball vs. London Lions

When Paris Basketball and the London Lions first entered the BKT EuroCup in the 2022-23 campaign, they both had the same goal: to get to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as soon as possible. Now, in just their second year in the competition, just a best-of-three semifinal series separates them from a spot in the EuroCup Finals.

[Next Tuesday night (20:45 CET), Paris will host London at the brand-new adidas arena in Game 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-london-lions/U2023/189/), before the series heads to the English capital for [Game 2 next Friday night (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-paris-basketball/U2023/191/). Should a Game 3 be required, Paris will play the role of host thanks to its superior regular-season record.

### Not their first rodeo

This is a matchup that has become a must-watch affair in the EuroCup, with the two clubs having played their part in building up this rivalry. So far, though, it has been Paris who has thrived most in this fixture, holding a 3-1 record against the Lions, including [a 102-106 overtime win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-paris-basketball/U2023/35/) at Copper Box Arena back in Round 4. Tuomas Iisalo’s squad then did the double over Petar Bozic’s men in the French capital in Round 13, coming away with[ a 94-77 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-london-lions/U2023/125/).

Expect a high-scoring showdown with Paris leading in scoring (99.5 ppg), while London is ranked third (92 ppg.). Sam Dekker was the hero for the Lions with a late three-pointer to overcome Prometey, while T.J. Shorts continued his stellar campaign through an weekly MVP award in a gain over Hamburg.

Paris Basketball-London Lions | Round 13 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Yet, the picture looks somewhat different now as, particularly in the case of London, both sides are playing some excellent basketball at present. This is unchartered territory, too, for the second-year clubs, as Paris reached the quarterfinals last season while the Lions made it to the eighthfinals. In 2022-23, London fell 80-93 at home to Paris in Round 9 but got some revenge in Round 18 with a 85-96 triumph at Halle Georges Carpinter.

### London is rolling

After closing the 2023-24 regular season with a 14-6 record, the Lions blew Turk Telekom Ankara away in the eighthfinals by winning 100-77 – thus surpassing last year’s last-16 accomplishment – before grabbing a 79-91 win at U-BT Cluj-Napoca in the quarterfinals. Both of those victories were equally as impressive, but for different reasons.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">EUROCUP SEMIFINALS BOUND! 🔥🦁<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreLondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreLondon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/BPZ3xliwiU">pic.twitter.com/BPZ3xliwiU</a></p>&mdash; London Lions (@LondonLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonLions/status/1768003080614707515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

By beating Turk Telekom, let alone doing so in convincing fashion, London knocked off one of the hottest teams in the EuroCup – the Turkish side was 7-2 in the second half of the regular season – and also made up for last year’s last-16 exit to Joventut Badalona. It was progress. Then, heading on the road to face Cluj, which was 7-2 on its home floor, the Lions made up for the absence of [Gabe Olaseni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/gabe-olaseni/006600/), who stayed in London due to the birth of his first child, by only trailing once (0-2) all night long.

Those two wins came with [Sam Dekker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sam-dekker/009672/) on the floor, with the 29-year-old having made his return to action post-injury in the last 16. Not only does Dekker give London an All-EuroCup-level player, but he is able to dovetail perfectly with an individual who has taken the EuroCup by storm since making his competition debut in Round 14, [David Nwaba](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/david-nwaba/012797/). Together, Dekker and Nwaba combined for 34 points and 14 rebounds against Cluj, which had no answer for the American duo. Paris will need to be wary of Dekker and Nwaba, but also Olaseni, [Matt Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-morgan/012585/), [Jordan Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-taylor/005247/), [Conor Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/conor-morgan/009680/)…

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Led us to HISTORY 🫡🦁🔥<br><br>Big time outing for <a href="https://twitter.com/dekker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dekker</a>! ⤵️<br>21 PTS | 6 REB | 1 AST | 62.5 FG%<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreLondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreLondon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/cBUZvzW5Oy">pic.twitter.com/cBUZvzW5Oy</a></p>&mdash; London Lions (@LondonLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonLions/status/1768352051178656076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Paris looks the real deal

This season has been almost perfect for Paris, which went 17-1 in the regular season and won Group A, allowing it to bypass the eighthfinals. That meant Paris immediately matched its achievement from last year, when it was knocked out at the quarterfinal stage by eventual champion Dreamland Gran Canaria. This time, though, the French side ended up making light work of Joventut en route to an 86-70 victory that guaranteed Coach Iisalo’s side would make club history with a first-ever semifinal appearance.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">ÇA C’EST DU WINNING FEELING DE ZINZINNNNNNNN 🖤❤️💙 <a href="https://t.co/fyLe9fbg8W">pic.twitter.com/fyLe9fbg8W</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1768395481334386942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That contest was the first to be held at adidas arena this season, too, giving Paris a 1-0 record in its new gym. The Paris fans were treated to yet more heroics by star backcourt duo [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/) and [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nadir-hifi/012640/), who together had 36 points in the quarterfinals and will no doubt be circled on London’s scouting report coming into this series. It’s not just Shorts and Hifi, though, as the team-oriented play instilled by Coach Iisalo ensures that Paris is a tough matchup night in, night out.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">C’EST SA COMPÉTITION 👑<br><br>MVP🚀<br><br>🏀 21 pts <br>🎁 9 passes décisives <br>📈 28 d’évaluation <a href="https://t.co/WaQpQC12Sj">pic.twitter.com/WaQpQC12Sj</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1768593507898327463?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Leading the EuroCup in PIR (116.6), points (98.6), turnovers committed (10.3) and two-point shooting accuracy (62.6%) is one thing, but the French team also holds its opponents to a competition low in PIR (78.9), steals (4.9) and two-point shooting (51.0%). It has the third-best defense, too, allowing 78.6 points per night. Paris will therefore be looking to ensure that London’s third-best offense (90.8 ppg.) can’t get going.

### The main matchup

There are several fascinating matchups in this series, but whoever comes out on top between Hifi and Matt Morgan could help determine which team makes it to the EuroCup Finals. Hifi has shown on several occasions this year that he has the clutch gene, coming up big for his team down the stretch of games, as he adds a punch from both inside and outside the arc for Paris. Having averaged 16.8 points for his team this season, shooting 60.2% on two-pointers and 38.1% from three, the talented 21-year-old has only failed to reach double digits in points once in 2023-24.

The top plays of London Lions guard Matt Morgan and Paris Basketball's Nadir Hifi in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup season.

Best plays of Hifi, Morgan this season

Morgan, however, is London’s answer to Hifi. He’s also able to score from all areas of the floor, posting an identical 16.8 points to Hifi. Yet, following a 16-point outing against Turk Telekom, he had almost as many points (8) as turnovers (5) in the win at Cluj. London is talented enough that it was able to overcome an off night by Morgan, but if it is to overcome a Paris team that has been on fire this season, it will need the 26-year-old to rise to the occasion and, as a consequence, free things up for the likes of Dekker, Nwaba and Olaseni to do some damage.

This rivalry is set to go to another level, with a place in the EuroCup Finals up for grabs

As the coach of Bursaspor, Dusan Alimpijevic had a remarkable run in the 2021-22 EuroCup. He was voted the competition's Coach of the Year after leading his team to the final against Virtus Bologna despite not having home-court advantage in any postseason round. Getting the title in Italy was the only upset that Alimpijevic couldn't pull off.

They say that lightning doesn't strike twice, but two years later, Alimpijevic has already led Besiktas to two small miracles: beating defending champion Dreamland Gran Canaria on the road in the eighthfinals, and then coming back from being 21 points down to stop higher-ranked Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in the quarterfinals.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/interviews/1645845/dusan-alimpijevic-the-upset-specialist/)

Dusan Alimpijevic talked to Eurohoops about the latest comeback of Besiktas in the BKT EuroCup and the coach's next big target -- creating one more upset in the semifinals

Alimpijevic, The upset specialist

The EuroCup Semifinals are set: Paris Basketball vs. London Lions on one side, JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. Beşiktaş Basketbol on the other.

BKT EuroCup Semifinals at a glance

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

The first semifinal pairing to be set was this one after Group B winner Bourg held off Prometey Slobozhanske on Tuesday and Besiktas rallied from 21 down to upset Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. Frederic Fauthoux’s Bourg improved to 15-5 on the season and is 2-0 against Turkish clubs, having defeated Turk Telekom Ankara twice. But Besiktas is a team of a different caliber than Turk Telekom, which it is ahead of by five spots in the Turkish League. Dusan Alimpijevic improved to 5-2 as an underdog in EuroCup elimination games with his team's victory over Hapoel.

This marks uncharted territory for both teams. Besiktas will try to become the third straight Turkish team to reach the finals, following Frutti Extra Bursaspor with Alimpijevic and Derek Needham two years ago and Turk Telekom last season. Bourg seeks to become the first French finalist since Strasbourg in 2016.

### Paris Basketball vs. London Lions

The same will be true for the other French team in the semis, Group A winner Paris Basketball, which enters this best-of-three series on an 11-game winning streak after eliminating Joventut Badalona on Thursday. Opposite the team from the French capital will be the squad from the English capital, the London Lions, who stormed to the semis with a pair of double-digit do-or-die victories, including a 12-point road triumph against U-BT Cluj Napoca on Wednesday.

Led by playmaker TJ Shorts, Paris is 18-1 this season — and two of those wins have come against London during the regular season. First, it was a 102-106 overtime thriller in London, then a comfortable 94-77 win on its home floor in Round 13. But London did not have David Nwaba nor Donte Granham in that last clash, while Sam Dekker got injured mid-game. Since that loss, London is 5-2 and a perfect 3-0 on the road.

The ties will now be a best-of-three series

Here are the leaders in the main statistical categories the quarterfinals of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season. 

Individual highs: Ondrej Balvin of Prometey, 14 rebounds

[Points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score)

Jonah Mathews of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul and Will Cummings of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv each scored 28 points in this round. It was a season-best scoring mark for each player.

[Rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds)

Ondrej Balvin of Prometey Slobozhanske led all rebounders by pulling down 14 in his team's 95-82 road loss at Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse. Balvin finished the season with a third-best 9.3 rebounds per game.

[Assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances)

TJ Shorts of Paris dished 9 assists in the quarterfinals. Shorts raised his EuroCup-leading assists average to 7.7 per game.

[Steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals)

David Nwaba of the London Lions and Ronald March of Prometey each collected 4 steals in this round, the most in the quarterfinals.

[Blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour)

Balvin, Kevin Kokila of Bourg, Conor Morgan of London, his teammate John Sharma, Kyle Alexander and his Hapoel teammate Jaylen Hoard each had 2 blocks this week.

[Double-doubles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=miscellaneous&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=doubleDoubles)

Prometey's Balvin (19 points, 14 rebounds) and D.J. Kennedy (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Besiktas's Angel Delgado (11 points, 12 rebounds) all posted double-doubles in the quarterfinals.

T.J. Shorts played his first BKT EuroCup do-or-die game in style, delivering another outstanding individual performance and leading Paris Basketball to an 86-70 win over Joventut Badalona, all while earning another MVP of the Round honor. This is the fourth time Shorts has won this award this season, his first in the competition.

Quarterfinals MVP: TJ Shorts, Paris

[T.J. Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/) played his first BKT EuroCup do-or-die game in style, delivering another outstanding individual performance and leading Paris Basketball to an 86-70 win over Joventut Badalona, all while earning another MVP of the Round honor. This is the fourth time Shorts has won this award this season, his first in the competition.

Shorts finished with a team-high 21 points, making 5-of-13 two-pointers and 3-of-5 threes, while dishing 9 assists without committing a turnover. Shorts also had 3 rebounds, 1 steal and drew 7 fouls. His 28 PIR was the highest among players on winning teams in the quarterfinals.

TJ Shorts | Quarterfinals MVP | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

The quarterfinals' highest PIR, 32, belongs to Will Cummings of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in an 89-94 losing effort against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul. Cummings had 28 points on 3 of 4 three-pointers, 5 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals and 7 fouls drawn.

D.J. Kennedy of Prometey Slobozanske had a PIR of 27 in his team's 95-82 road loss against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse. Kennedy led Prometey with 10 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and 4 fouls drawn.

Jonah Mathews of Besiktas, Jaylen Hoard of Hapoel and Ondrej Balvin of Prometey, each with a PIR of 26, complete the top individual performances in the quarterfinals.

Paris Basketball v Joventut Badalona (2024-03-14T19:45:00.000Z)

After a competition-best regular season record, 17-1, Paris Basketball faced uncharted territory, having the home-court advantage in the single-game quarterfinals. T.J. Shorts made sure his team got closer to the EuroCup title. 


T.J. Shorts confirmed his MVP credentials against Joventut

After a competition-best regular season 17-1 record, Paris Basketball faced uncharted waters with the home-court advantage in the single-game quarterfinals. And star guard T.J. Shorts made sure the Parisians took a step closer to the EuroCup title. 

It was a strong test for Paris against a more experienced opponent. It was also Paris's first EuroCup home game at the brand new Adidas Arena. All eyes were on Shorts, who led Paris throughout the season, and he didn't disappoint anyone. In fact, he showed why he is a leading candidate in the race to become the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup MVP.

Shorts had 8 first-quarter points, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer that gave Paris a significant lead, 24-17. He went on to cap a 13-0 run with another bomb from downtown late in the third quarter, putting Paris well on its way to win the game. Finally, Shorts had 6 points and 4 assists in the final 8 minutes, making sure Paris rejected any comeback attempt and kept a safe lead until the final buzzer.

His numbers proved his great consistency throughout the game. Shorts had 21 points on 3 of 5 three-point shooting, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, 0 turnovers and 7 fouls drawn for a PIR of 28. He earned MVP of the Round honors for the fourth time this season, which is unprecedented in competition history.

Paris Basketball playmaker T.J. Shorts had 21 points on 3 of 5 three-pointers, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, no turnovers and 7 fouls drawn and a PIR of 28.

Shorts sends Paris to the semifinals.

"It took the whole unit. It wasn't one of us, it was the collective. This group is special and we are trying to do something special," Shorts said after the game. "I am just glad I was able to contribute to this win. It is a win that kept our season going. We knew it was a do-or-die game and I guess you could say this is the most important win. And now, the next one is going to be the next most important."

Paris head coach Tuomas Iisalo highlighted the fact that his team in general (and may I add, Shorts in particular) tries to keep things simple and effective. 

"We have one way of doing things and expect to do the right things on the floor, do them as well as possible, do them as hard as possible for 40 minutes," Coach Iisalo said. "It sounds very simple, but it is extremely difficult. But when the guys see and everyone sees that it pays off, it brings a lot more motivation to keep working."

Shorts has averaged 17.5 points, 7.7 assists and 1.5 steals for a league-best PIR average of 22.8. He dishes 5.2 assists per turnover, too. His teammate Sebastian Herrera, who didn't play today, has totaled 26 assists and one turnover this season. Unsurprisingly, Paris leads the competition with the fewest turnovers at just 10.3 per night.

All that will be tested again soon, as Paris is set to face the London Lions in the semifinals, where Shorts will have another opportunity to prove why he can be considered the best player in the competition.

Game News

The EuroCup leader in assists and PIR produced another sterling performance in the quarterfinals 

Congratulations to Simone Crippa, the quarterfinals winner in EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Simone' team, SURPRISE, posted a round-high score of 212.5 fantasy points.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: quarterfinals winner

Congratulations to Simone Crippa, the quarterfinals winner in [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://eurocupfantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/)! Simone' team, SURPRISE, posted a round-high score of 212.5 fantasy points.

His squad featured the following players as starters: Isiaha Mike of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse as team captain, TJ Shorts of Paris Basketball, Ondrej Balvin of Prometey Slobohzanske, and a pair of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv players in Jaylen Hoard and Will Cummings. His sixth man was Andres Feliz of Joventut Badalona. The rest of his bench consisted of: Gabe Olaseni of London Lions, Joventut's Pep Busquets, Kerem Konan of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul and Ivan Tkachenko of Prometey. Filip' head coach was Petar Bozic of London.

The prize for finishing first in the quarterfinals is a free subscription to EuroLeague TV for the 2024-25 season!

The overall leader after 20 rounds is Lukasz Lisowski whose Lisorze team is ahead of everyone with 3,645.75 fantasy points.

Trades are now open for the semifinals. From now on, unlimited trades are allowed before each round until the end of the season and, as always, you can also trade your head coach.

The first semifinals game is scheduled to tip off on Tuesday, March 26, and thus marks the next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become EuroCup Fantasy Challenge's next winner!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager, so get in the game and go for the gold!