ATHENS (Greece) - JDA Dijon and San Pablo Burgos started with mostly the same starting lineups as the Quarter-Finals. David Holston started another game on the bench in Athens. The idea seems to be to give him the freedom to attack the first lineup rotation from the opposition. For Burgos however, that rotation is Omar Cook, one of the toughest defensive matchups you could find at the Final 8. 

In the post-game press conference, Vitor Benite spoke plainly about how Burgos love to shrink the defense with their bigs and take advantage of their shooters.

From the opening tip, they went out and got straight to work on enforcing their style on the game. Dejan Kravic has been aggressive with the ball in his hands since he arrived in Athens. In the clip below Dijon's defensive scheme in the pick-and-roll played into Burgos' style perfectly. Watch Renfroe back out to create space behind the screen action, then as Dijon traps the ball screen, he has the height to see over the top and make the pass to Kravic. When Kravic goes straight to the rack watch how open both Benite and Rabaseda are as Dijon collapse on the drive.

To start the game Dijon were also getting what they wanted offensively. They opened with a really well-executed Zipper cut for Julien to catch and create. Watch how wide he takes the angle to separate Kravic away from the ball-screen. Also the placement of #21 Loum as a non-shooter on the slot. His defender Rivero naturally feels safe to help off on the roll. This made the hook pass so much easier for Julien and the high-low pass finds Chassang with a deep catch and kravic still recovering.

Coming back to Benite speaking about using their bigs to draw defenders in, the next clip was still in the first quarter but after Kravic had already gone straight to the rack on the earlier play, Burgos already had Dijon right where they wanted them. This next play really stood out as the perfect example. Watch Rabaseda wave Rivero out of the corner. What's left is Burgos with both corners empty, forcing Dijon to help on Kravic from the wings. This enable Renfroe to play cat and mouse until he can get the ball to Kravic and force one of Simon or Julien to get drawn in. Eventually, Julien has to leave Rabaseda wide open. 

If you contrast the play you just watched with the next play from Dijon, the difference between the two is stark. Julien hits Allingue on the roll but without the aggression that Kravic went to the basket with, all of Burgos's defenders are able to stay home on their man. Without an option, Allingue throws the ball where he expects the pass to be but Omar Cook is playing chess when Dijon were playing chequers. 

By this time, Vitor Benite was absolutely cooking. The play in the next video is one of the actions that Burgos use to get the ball in his hands and allow him to go to work in the pick-and-roll. Burgos call this play "2" and it's a simple staggered down screen for Benite followed by an angle ball-screen as soon as he catches the ball. Watch how Benite sets it up by faking the drive left on the catch, then Chassang is caught in two minds between Kravic rolling and stopping the ball. 

Laurent Legname is not the kind of coach that will allow his team to go down without trying to find an adjustment and on the defensive end that adjustment was to switch. And it worked too. For a period of about five minutes to start the third Dijon's switching, particularly with Hans Vanwijn caused Burgos some issues. 

In the video below you see Burgos running that same "2" play but this time for McFadden. This time when McFadden and Sakho get into the angle ball-screen, Chassang has no decision to make. It's just a straight switch. As Burgos gets the ball into Sakho to attack the mismatch with Julien, Allingue times his rotation perfectly when Sakho turns his head. This had to be perfectly timed as he was leaving a red-hot Ken Horton open.

The next pivotal moment in the game was at 7:14 in the fourth when Kravic picked up his fourth foul. At that point, Kravic had only 4 points and foul trouble had impacted his rhythm in the game. Joan Penarroya did what not many coaches would do and left Kravic on the floor. It was an inspired choice. 

In the space of two possessions, Burgos ended the game. The first of those possessions was all about Kravic. Watch how he attacks Julien on the switch, draws help, and makes sweet dish off the dribble to Benite in the corner, causing Legname to call a timeout. 

Coming out of that timeout, Burgos really put the game to bed. Against Dinon's tired legs Penarroya chose to press full court. Omar Cook who played only 20 minutes in each game was fresh and able to put the press on against Axel Julien who played 34 minutes in this game. If you watch closely Cook literally pressed Julien off the court. The turnover then resulted in yet another Vitor Benite corner 3-pointer. The game was over as a contest from then on out.

This will have felt like a disappointing end to the tournament for Dijon but they will wake up the next day with a great deal of pride in their BCL season. There are also a lot of things to like about the way this roster is shaping up for next season as well. 

For Burgos this was another ruthless display and another massive morale booster. Benite and Mcfadden are both in an excellent groove, Cook and Renfroe have clicked straight into place and sharing minutes between them only makes both players better during the minutes they are on court. Horton was excellent in this game, they have a lot of depth with guys like Rabaseda and Rivero. And with Dejan Kravic, they have a challenger for Georgi Shermadini's spot as the top center in the BCL. 

Up next, AEK. Scary, dangerous-looking AEK with two MVPs and some of Europe's best players from the last decade. This Burgos team, however, doesn't look like a squad that is fazed by any opponent.