Monaco’s “Roca Team” was beaten on Thursday in the Real Madrid arena (94-72). Two days after winning in Paris, diminished (96-85), the Spaniards taught a lesson to the other French representative, who missed the opportunity to take a victory ahead of the Parisians (11 victories for 5 defeats).
For form, the latter regain the leading position without playing, since their match against Fenerbahçe has been postponed, while the “Roca Team” (11 v./6 l.) could be joined by Bayern Munich, Zalgiris Kaunas and Olympiakos. It has only shown the shadow of the face it has shown since Vassilis Spanoulis took the reins replacing Sasa Obradovic at the end of November, that of a team solid in defense and collective attacking play.
James swam
Victorious in the Panathinaikos room (91-88) or giving a lesson, during his last two outings, at Fenerbahçe in Istanbul (99-69) then at Bayern Munich (93-74). Its series of three victories was shattered against the tight defense of Madrid, more skilful away (10/22) than the Principality club which, without Elie Okobo (absent from the match sheet), multiplied individual initiatives (only 17 assists), turnovers (15) and delays in defense.
Dzanan Musa’s Real (22 pts to 3/4 to 3 pts), largely dominating the rebound (41 holds to 29), took off after a quarter of an hour of play (39-22) to increase the gap at 30 points at the end of the third quarter (77-47). He then released the grip, allowing ASM, where only Mike James survived (19 pts but 1/5 at 3 pts, 8 assists), to soften the final score a little.
