After its first two successes, one very easy against Tunisia, and the other more competitive against Montenegro, France began Monday evening the second phase of its preparation for the World Cup against Venezuela in Orleans.
It’s classic in-between for the Blues, with Gobert and Yabusele in the paint, and veterans Fournier, De Colo and Batum on the outside. But, as you might expect after a break of a few days, it’s rather messy with a 4/16 on cumulative shots for both teams…
It takes the entry of substitutes, and in particular Terry Tarpey (author of 6 consecutive points) for the Blues to make a first gap, thanks to an 8-0. Well in place defensively, the French logically won the first quarter (20-11) by holding Venezuela to a small 5/18 on shots.
Gobert in double-double at half-time
On alternating current, the Blues keep their advantage but are a bit pushed around, like the fiery Miguel Cabrera who comes to sting several offensive rebounds and boldly plays his luck in attack. At the same time, the French persist and sign inside.
It ends up paying off with a big dunk from Fall who does a monster job in the low post, causing foul after foul. Evan Fournier marks his return to the game with two banderillas at 3-pointers (and there was even a third without an offensive foul by Fall on mobile screen)…
The Blues unfold at the end of the first half with a perfectly executed alley-oop between Batum and Gobert, a finely played layup by Ntilikina or an “and-one” for Ouattara who went on an adventure in the baseline. From +9 after the first quarter, France leads by twelve at the break (43-31), with a solid 14/28 on shots, and a Gobert (10 points, 10 rebounds) already in double doubles.
Zone defense on trial
Rather imprecise at the start of the match, the holders come back into play with the desire to do well. It is felt without delay with a 12-4 to start the third quarter. On the other side of the field, with an increased gap, Collet sets up his defense in the zone, the one that the players are working on this week in training.
Several interceptions reward this tactical choice, and it allows (finally) to let go (a little) of the horses, including a new alley-oop between Batum and Gobert on a fast game. Yabusele also imposes his power, even if he drops a few points on the throw line. Without forcing their talent too much, the Blues increased the gap to the twenties before the last quarter (66-46).
Another point of concentration of the staff: the rebound. In this aspect too, the copy of the French is rather satisfactory after the return from the locker room, like De Colo who seizes a stray ball and a positive differential of +12 in their favor.
Makoundou shows up
The last quarter allows a review of the workforce for Collet which brings in the last called, Yoan Makoundou, well served by Fall in the high post – low post relation for an easy basket under the circle. The latter offers himself a new powerful dunk with one hand after having rolled up his defender.
Francisco makes his speed speak for the layup and Makoundou punctuates the evening with a big two-handed dunk. If it loses the last quarter of a unit (21-20), France clearly wins in the end (86-67), with all these players who have scored. A third victory in three games!
