Euroleague: Monaco takes its revenge on ASVEL at the Astroballe!
Carried by Donatas Motiejunas and Mike James, AS Monaco took a nice revenge on ASVEL in the Euroleague on Tuesday evening at the Astroballe (75-100). The third victory in a row for the Roca Team, which overtook its rival and glued itself to the gates of the top 8 (9-11) when the Villeurbannais moved away (8-11).
A little less than two months after ASVEL’s miraculous victory over a buzzer from William Howard’s midfielder at Gaston-Médecin, Monaco took their revenge on enemy soil. And what revenge. An offensive festival of the Roca Team, trained by its quartet Mike James (20 points, 7 assists), Donatas Motiejunas (22 points on 9/10 on shots, 4 rebounds), Dwayne Bacon (21 points, 6 rebounds), Alpha Diallo (17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists), all over 20 rating. Sasa Obradovic’s collective had already scored 51 points at the break, and repeated their attacking performance in the second half (75-100).
The Principality’s team owes its success in particular to its incredible shooting success (62.5% from 2-pointers, 58.8% from 3-pointers (10/17!) against 50% from 2-pointers and 36 .8% 3-points for ASVEL), to his collective (21 assists) and his physical domination (34 rebounds to 23). A victory that brings the Roca Team to the gates of the Euroleague top 8 (9-11), a first since mid-November.
Mike James on fire!
The duel – initially postponed after a multiplication of Covid cases – began with an attacking recital on both sides of the field. Very fair collectively, Monaco took advantage of the defensive largesse to make a first break (13-19, 6th). When he wasn’t outflanking Chris Jones or setting sights behind the arc, Mike James – the in-form man of the moment – was doling out caviars, mostly for Donatas Motiejunas. The two Monegasque leaders were already at 17 points at the end of the first quarter, when the Jones-Okobo duo also had 15 points (24-27).
If the pace slowed down at the start of the rotations on both sides (33-34, 15th), the return of Mike James to the field revived the offensive recital. Author of a masterful 3 points, with the board and… at 9 meters, the American launched a series of 11-0. Lacking success for several minutes, the Villeurbannais resisted before the break thanks to the activity of the former Monegasque Marcos Knight (19 points at 8/11 on shots, 9 rebounds in the end), but saw the gap increase without finding response (41-51).
Defenseless ASVEL
And, on returning from the locker room, Monaco gave a layer. Donatas Motiejunas literally walked on James Gist, limping out (hip), and Mike James continued to distribute the game. Result: an 11-2 quickly bringing the gap to 19 units (43-62, 24th). The superactive Alpha Diallo and Dwayne Bacon feasted in attack, unlike Chris Jones (9 points, 4 assists) and Elie Okobo (10 points, 5 assists), very well muzzled and below their standards.
Still deprived of Raymar Morgan, David Lighty, Victor Wembanyama but also William Howard (knee), ASVEL lacked juice in the rotations… and especially desire in defense. At -18 at the start of the last quarter (58-76), TJ Parker’s team let Monaco slip away, even allowing themselves to send the young Zaccharie Risacher – born in 2005 – on the field in garbage time , for his Euroleague debut (75-100). Defeated for the sixth time in seven European matches, Lyon-Villeurbanne is for the first time this season outside the top 10 (8-11, 12th).
If the first period promoted the hexagonal basket on the European scene, the second has a taste of unfinished business. Especially since there is no guarantee that this rivalry will not continue next season. Still, Monaco will fly to Russia and challenge Zénit there on Thursday evening (6 p.m.) when ASVEL remains in good port to revive against Red Star Belgrade on Friday evening (9 p.m.).
To be continued.
In Villeurbanne.
Boxscore ASVEL – Monaco / Euroleague ranking
Photo: Mike James (Euroleague)