AS Monaco Basket forced a decisive Game 5 in the Betclic Élite finals by defeating Paris Basketball 96-84 in Game 4 on Sunday. The victory evens the series at 2-2, setting up a winner-take-all showdown for the French league championship in Paris on Tuesday night at 9 PM local time, live on L'Équipe. Monaco controlled the game from the start, outscoring Paris 24-18 in the first quarter and maintaining a double-digit lead for most of the contest.
Paris fought back in the third quarter but couldn’t overcome Monaco’s balanced attack, which featured 22 points from guard Will Cherry and 18 from forward Rob Gray. Defensively, Monaco held Paris to 41% shooting and forced 14 turnovers, including six in the fourth quarter. Paris’s leading scorer, Levi Randolph, managed just 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting, while Elie Okobo added 12 points but struggled to contain Cherry in the backcourt.
Monaco’s bench also played a pivotal role, outscoring Paris’s reserves 28-12. Key contributions came from guard Jordan Aboudou, who added 14 points off the bench, and center William Howard, who provided crucial defensive stops and 8 rebounds. The depth advantage proved decisive in closing out a tight game.
The win marks Monaco’s third straight victory in the series after dropping the opener. Their ability to bounce back from adversity has defined their playoff run, with Cherry and Gray leading the charge. Paris, meanwhile, will have to regroup after a disappointing loss at home, where they failed to capitalize on a raucous crowd.
Monaco’s path to Game 5 underscores the unpredictability of this year’s Betclic Élite finals. After splitting the first two games in Monaco, Paris seized control with a 10-point win in Game 3, only for Monaco to respond with a statement victory. The back-and-forth nature of the series reflects the league’s growing competitiveness, where home-court advantage often tilts the balance.
For Monaco, the win in Game 4 was a statement of intent—proving they can thrive under pressure in front of a partisan crowd. Paris now faces a must-win scenario, but their struggles to contain Monaco’s backcourt duo of Cherry and Okobo have exposed vulnerabilities. Randolph, their leading scorer, has been inconsistent in the playoffs, and the team’s reliance on him has become a liability.
If they fail to adjust, Monaco’s balanced attack could seal their first title since 2017. The series has become a microcosm of the Betclic Élite’s evolution. Gone are the days when a single team could dominate the league for years.
This season, the parity is real—six different teams have finished in the top four at various points, and the finals are a clash between two teams that entered the playoffs as underdogs. Monaco, a club that hasn’t won a title since 2017, has rediscovered its playoff identity behind a deep roster and disciplined coaching. Paris, meanwhile, has ridden its home-court advantage and a passionate fanbase to the brink of a first championship in franchise history.
For fans, this is a best-case scenario: a finals series that refuses to conform to expectations, with every game a war. The unpredictability has drawn record TV ratings for Betclic Élite broadcasts, and the league’s leadership has pointed to the series as proof that investment in youth development and coaching is paying off. Monaco head coach Sašo Filipovski praised his team’s resilience after the win.
“We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but our players fought for every possession,” Filipovski said. ” What’s next: The championship hinges on Game 5 in Paris. Monaco will look to close out the series, while Paris aims to force a decisive sixth game.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, with the title on the line in front of a home crowd. Read at NewsData.io
Why this matters
The French basketball championship is down to one game, proving the league’s parity and delivering a high-stakes spectacle for fans. Monaco’s resilience and Paris’s fight have turned the finals into a must-watch showdown, with the title hinging on a single night in the capital. The series has showcased the Betclic Élite’s depth, with neither team able to assert dominance for long—a rarity in a league often dominated by a handful of powerhouses. The unpredictability reflects broader trends in European basketball, where smaller markets are punching above their weight and proving that smart roster construction can overcome financial disparities.
Frequently asked
When and where is Game 5 of the Betclic Élite finals?
Game 5 will be played in Paris on Tuesday night at 9 PM local time, broadcast live on L'Équipe.
What was the score of Game 4 between AS Monaco Basket and Paris Basketball?
AS Monaco Basket won Game 4 96-84, tying the series at 2-2.
How did AS Monaco Basket force a Game 5?
Monaco defeated Paris 96-84 in Game 4, evening the series and setting up a winner-take-all Game 5.
Which teams are playing in the Betclic Élite finals?
AS Monaco Basket and Paris Basketball are competing for the French league championship.
What is the Betclic Élite?
The Betclic Élite is the top-tier professional basketball league in France.
How has AS Monaco Basket performed in the playoffs so far?
Monaco dropped Game 1 but won the next three, including Game 4 to force Game 5.
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