Paris Basketball continues its climb out of the hole. After wins in Dubai and Tel Aviv, the French team secured their third straight EuroLeague victory in Istanbul—a comeback that best captures their turnaround: trailing by six at the start of the fourth quarter, they won by nine. Nadir Hifi was the star, while Efes, coming off a win against Panathinaikos, squandered their late-game advantage.
Paris Takes Control Before Halftime
Efes started strong and closed the first quarter ahead (26-23). In the second, the Turkish offense stalled: they scored just ten points, and Paris went on a 1-17 run that gave them control. A three-pointer from Payne stopped the streak, but the French reached halftime with a six-point lead (36-42).
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Payne Turns the Game Around
The third quarter belonged to Efes. Payne found the basket from everywhere, and with Collin Malcolm and Bruno Fernando inside, the Turks won the period 34-24 and entered the fourth quarter up four (70-66). Malcolm extended the lead to six points in the opening minutes of the quarter, and the game seemed decided.
Hifi and Pereira Lead the French Comeback
Then Paris appeared. Hifi took control of the offense and Maozinha Pereira found points off the bench to deliver a fourth quarter of 20-29. Payne, who finished with 33 points and seven three-pointers, had the tying shot in the final seconds, but his attempt was blocked, and Paris sealed the game from the free-throw line. Malcolm, with 20 points, and Payne posted their best EuroLeague scoring performances, but couldn't prevent Efes's sixth loss.