Four days after their European title and a week after their victory in the French Cup, Nanterre hosts Antibes. The team from the Côte d’Azur, far from being safe, can achieve a great outcome in case of a victory.
This match of the 29th day will not be the season’s goal for Nanterre but for Antibes, well-rested (last match on April 14, an 82-69 victory against Châlons-Reims), this trip to the Paris region is of the utmost importance. With one victory ahead and the point average over Orléans, the situation seems comfortable, but there are still 6 games left… On Tuesday, all the direct competitors were defeated, and the whole club is well aware of that.
The Blassingame Barometer
In the past month, the face of the Sharks has completely changed, or nearly so. The arrival of the experienced point guard, Jerel Blassingame, is no small part of this transformation. From his first minutes, he dazzled the crowd in Hyères-Toulon, leading his team to success with 18 points. Four days later, Antibes fell in overtime against Pau, but he finished the game with a 28 evaluation (17 points and 13 assists). As noted by Julien Espinosa, Blassingame brings “serenity and calmness to the team.”
Gaines Returns, Solomon Absent
Another piece of good news for the 15th place team in Pro A is the return of Kenny Gaines to the group. The young American has not set foot on the court since his shoulder injury at Portel, back on January 21. However, Will Solomon did not make the trip. The club’s official website announces a health issue.
Nanterre, With What Legs?
The champagne must have flowed freely in Hauts-de-Seine since Tuesday. After the victory in the French Cup against Le Mans, Pascal Donnadieu’s men dominated Chalon-sur-Saône to snatch a second European cup in 3 years (FIBA Europe Cup, C4). This Saturday, it is logically a physically and mentally exhausted team that should step onto Maurice-Thorez’s floor. The club granted two days of rest to Nanterre’s players who only resumed on Friday (yesterday) for treatments, shooting, and a video session. But beware, their long-distance shooting remains just as formidable.
Three Weeks, Six Matches
Nineteen days before the end of the regular season, the sprint is on at the top, as well as at the bottom. Nanterre, in fifth place, can still hope for home-ground advantage in the quarterfinals. For Antibes, the goal is to rack up victories to distance themselves from Orléans and Nancy. The latter, at the bottom of the championship, will be the next opponent at the Azur Arena.
Photo credit: official site of Sharks Antibes
