Splitter: “TJ Shorts offered a masterclass”

Tiago Splitter, Paris Basketball coach, winner of the second game of the Betclic Elite semi-final against Bourg-en-Bresse (117-103) : "It's another game that we didn't start well. In the first, it was due to the transition defense, this time it was the rebounding. It was better during the game and we found our shots. TJ Shorts put on a masterclass, both in scoring and leading the team. He's been incredible all season, but it was impressive tonight. Maodo (Lo) helped us a lot off the bench, along with Nadir Hifi. We're going to have a tough third game, we have to be ready."

It's hard to train right now, we're playing every other day. Right now we're going to do video, talk to each other, travel, and that's about it. We'll see what we can do better. The 7-0 at the start of the second half was super important. We told each other in the locker room everything we needed to improve, and it allowed us to run, take good shots. (On finishing the series in 3 matches while Monaco and Asvel will play at least 4) I'm not going to focus on the other series, it's pretty hard to think about ours. (On the arrival of Omar Sy as co-owner of Paris) It's great that he's coming. When you bring in different profiles from the entertainment world, you bring other ideas. It's necessary for basketball. He loves basketball, he comes to our games, it's great.

Léopold Cavalière, Paris Basketball center : "The start of the third quarter is important; those first plays set the tone. But I think the transition between the third and fourth quarters is what did us the most good. We saw Bourg's level rise early in the game; it showed on the rebound. We were dominated; they conceded 11 offensive goals at halftime, and 5 afterward. That gave us something to work on. I liked the team's resilience. Even though we struggled, we were able to stay true to ourselves, to our identity."

Frédéric Fauthoux, Bourg-en-Bresse coach : "The second quarter hurt us a lot. It killed the game. We were in a good position, but there are things we can't control. Paris is a team that knows how to win, the starting five hurt us a lot, they have vice. We still have three matches to win. The accumulation of fouls changed the way we defended, there was Hugo (Benitez)'s injury... We slackened our concentration after the locker room.

To win this kind of game, you have to be able to do what Paris does. We don't lose on every three-pointer we concede. We have three games left to win. It's within our capabilities. Offensively, we have everything we need, no matter who's on the court. Paris is a very great team; they're not in the Euroleague quarterfinals by chance. And the million-dollar players are very good (he smiles). We have to do much better defensively and in terms of ferocity.