This is a nice reaction. Largely defeated two weeks ago on the floor of Real Madrid, the Monegasques recovered away from home on the floor of Alba Berlin (105-90), buoyed by Mike James’ 23 points, and scored a second rank success in the Euroleague. With 13 victories for 6 defeats, the “Roca Team” remains at the top of the ranking, tied with Olympiakos who also won Thursday against Zalgiris Kaunas (92-85).
Thanks to a diligent game and the three-point skill of Matthew Strazel (5/6) against the Berliners who were imprecise both offensively and defensively, the Monegasques quickly took the lead in the score, leading by 20 points at the break (35- 55). But the first minutes in the Monegasque jersey of Greek Nick Calathes were the attraction of the first period. The 35-year-old leader, star recruit of the offseason, had until then been unavailable, notably due to a knee injury.
11th defeat for Asvel, but not crippling
Silent under the basket (only one shot attempted, three points), the former Fenerbahçe player, on the other hand, provided six assists and brought his experience to the end of the game, which was more competitive than expected. Returning from the locker room, the Alba players put more intensity under the two baskets and came back to nine points, then to six points in the last quarter, carried by the three-point address of Matt Thomas and Tim Schneider.
But Vassilis Spanoulis’ players were able to keep the reins, notably thanks to their skill at free throws (18/21) and award-winning shots from Mike James and Strazel (18 pts), author of his Euroleague points record. After a championship match against Chalon-sur-Saône on Sunday and a round of 16 in the Coupe de France in Blois (Pro B), the Monegasques will return to the Euroleague against FC Barcelona next Thursday on the Rock.
At the same time, Villeurbanne lost 75 to 66 against Olimpia Milan, at the Décines-Charpieu Arena. The half-time score was 36-32 in favor of the Italian club, 11th at kick-off, which has a record of ten wins for nine defeats while Asvel has lost eleven times for eight wins. This record does not, however, eliminate it from the race to qualify for the play-offs.
