Disputed in front of an audience of personalities (Travis Scott, Mister V, Laylow, Tiakola, etc.), in a packed Georges-Carpentier hall, the Ile-de-France derby between the Betting Basketball and Boulogne-Levallois gave rise to a meeting initially hung, then finally clearly dominated by the Mets 92 (91-71). The latter revived after two defeats in a row, while the Parisians lost for the third time in a row.
Once is not custom, Victor Wembanyama was however well muzzled in attack: 11 points, but at 4/11 on shots and 1/5 at 3-pts, to accompany his 5 rebounds. On the other hand, he weighed a lot in defense: 6 blocks, even if he ended up going out for 5 faults (in 23 minutes). As for the other star interior of the evening, Ishmael Kamagate (8 points, 7 rebounds), he did not shine in this game either.
Balanced, the first half was however not the most exciting of all. Well in place, and helped by the clumsiness and waste of the opponent, the defenses thus took precedence over the attacks, while the two teams went blow for blow on the scoreboard (42-39).
Note, however, the few notable actions signed Ismaël Kamagate and Victor Wembanyama. Kamagate, when he slammed a big dunk on the nose of Anžejs Pasečņiks, then an even more resounding poster in front of “Wemby”. Wembanyama, when he sent a terrible counter on “Isma” after three minutes, or when he proposed this beautiful sequence “dribble – silky shot with the board – counter in second blade – offensive rebound then tap”.
Record career blocks for Wembanyama
It was then that the first real gap widened during the third quarter (66-56). Moment chosen by Boulogne-Levallois to accelerate, with several offensive rebounds, better ball management and many provoked throws. Despite a Victor Wembanyama always discreet, but also “helped” by the foul problems of Ismaël Kamagate opposite. Symbol of this Paris Basketball team not really well in its match.
Illustrated by Hugo Besson (19 points, 11 rebounds) or Tremont Waters (17 points), the domination of the Mets 92 was then confirmed in the last act and the victory could be validated easily. Without “Wemby”, which we have often seen frustrated by the whistles and the Parisian defense, has not been especially seen to his advantage. Proof that he is human and that he still has areas for improvement, soon to be 19 years old…
Photo: Herve Bellenger
