Dijon claimed a 92-83 victory over Gravelines-Dunkerque in the French League Nationale de Basket on Saturday evening. The result leaves the visitors top of the table with four wins from four, while the hosts remain rooted at the foot of the standings after four defeats.
Gravelines-Dunkerque threw bodies at the perimeter and found a way through the first quarter, but by then the visitors had already shifted into gear. Our prediction called for the away side to prevail, and the 54 per cent confidence was justified. Dijon carried the side with their defensive work, while the hosts were left exposed on the boards.
The statistics tell a familiar story. Gravelines-Dunkerque attempted twenty-six three-pointers compared to fifteen for Dijon, making seven to four. They also recorded twenty-four assists against nineteen. But the visitors won the rebound battle 31-22, particularly on the defensive end where they grabbed twenty-six to seventeen.
Turnovers were roughly even at eight for the hosts and nine for Dijon. Personal fouls sat at nineteen and eighteen respectively. The free-throw numbers tell a small tale — sixteen from both sides, though Gravelines-Dunkerque attempted nineteen and Dijon seventeen.
Gravelines-Dunkerque have not tasted victory since September, losing their last four games by an average of fifteen points. Their recent results include heavy defeats to Nanterre 92 and Denain-Voltaire, and a narrow loss to Lyon-Villeurbanne.
Dijon, meanwhile, have won every game this season. Their last four results read 82-71 against Saint-Chamond, 108-96 versus Limoges CSP, 89-61 against Poitiers, and 81-72 at Strasbourg. The line has barely moved for them.
The gap between the sides remains wide. Dijon sit in first place with four wins and zero losses, while Gravelines-Dunkerque occupy sixteenth with nothing to show for their opening campaign. One mistake ends it for the hosts — and they have made several.
