In a dominant display of second-quarter firepower and defensive intensity, ÉB Pau-Orthez cruised past Entente Orléanaise 90–72 on 4 June 2026, cementing their playoff credentials in the Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro B. The home side at the Palais des Sports de Pau turned a close opening period into a commanding lead by halftime and never let up, leaving Orléans chasing the game for the final 30 minutes.

Match Overview

Pau-Orthez entered the contest with momentum, and it showed early. The first quarter was a tight back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to establish a double-digit advantage. However, the second quarter saw a complete shift in tempo. Pau’s defense tightened, forcing turnovers and contesting every shot, while their offense moved the ball with precision to create open looks from deep and easy finishes at the rim. By the break, the home side had already built a 16-point cushion.

Orléans attempted to mount a comeback in the third quarter, powered by veteran leadership and quick perimeter scoring, but each run was met with a decisive Pau response. The fourth quarter was largely academic, with Pau managing the clock and maintaining a comfortable buffer. The final score of 90–72 reflected a game that was controlled from start to finish by the home team.

Key Moments

• Second-quarter explosion: After a 20–20 first quarter, Pau-Orthez outscored Orléans 28–12 in the second period, turning a deadlock into a rout.
• Run stoppers: Orléans opened the third quarter with an 8–0 spurt to cut the deficit to 12, but Pau’s guard trio responded with a 15–4 run to restore order.
• Free-throw efficiency: Pau shot 22-of-25 from the charity stripe, while Orléans managed only 14-of-21, a difference that proved critical in a game where field-goal percentages were similar.

Tactical Story

Pau-Orthez head coach deployed a switching man-to-man defense that confused Orléans’ pick-and-roll actions, forcing them into contested mid-range jumpers. Offensively, Pau exploited mismatches in the paint, with power forwards drawing fouls and finishing through contact. The home team also dominated the glass, collecting 14 offensive rebounds that led to 18 second-chance points—a statistic that Orléans could never overcome.

Orléans, by contrast, relied heavily on isolation plays from their backcourt, which yielded some highlight moments but lacked the consistency needed to chip away at the deficit. Their three-point shooting (9-of-28, 32%) was decent but not enough to offset Pau’s interior dominance and transition scoring.

Standout Players

• Pau-Orthez – Guard play drives victory: The home team’s starting backcourt combined for 48 points and 12 assists. The point guard, in particular, was efficient, finishing with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 4 three-pointers, and added 7 assists.
• Entente Orléanaise – Forward battles hard: Orléans’ leading scorer posted 20 points and 8 rebounds, but received little support from the supporting cast, with only one other teammate reaching double figures.

Impact on the Standings

With this victory, ÉB Pau-Orthez improved to a league-best record at home and moved into the top three of the Pro B standings, strengthening their case for direct promotion. For Orléans, the loss was a setback in their fight for a playoff berth, dropping them to ninth place with only a handful of matches remaining. The result also extended Pau’s winning streak over Orléans to four games in head-to-head meetings.