thanks to Mike James, author of 25 points, Monaco beat Kazan and remain in the race for qualification
As often this season in the Euroleague, Monaco played to scare each other. But this time, in a late match of the 20th day, the Principality club revived. Thanks to its victory (79-76) at home over Russian club Unics Kazan, a direct competitor for qualification for the Top 8 of the competition on Tuesday February 22, Monaco is back in the standings.
With 13 wins and 13 losses, Sasa Obradovic’s men temporarily rise to 8th place in the ranking in terms of the number of wins and remain in the running to qualify for the play-offs at the end of the regular season. For this, the Monegasques will play a decisive match against Fenerbahçe Istanbul, Friday February 25, in their Gaston-Médecin room.
After leading by 15 points against Kazan (68-53, 34th), the “Roca Team” nevertheless came close to disaster, as against Kaunas, during the previous day (defeat 83-82). Kazan indeed returned to 76-76 with 30 seconds remaining in the game. It was then that Mike James, author of a very good game (25 points, 7 assists), drew one of his three-point baskets of which he has the secret, and offered the victory to his people.
The #RocaTeam ensures a very important victory @unicsbasket ✔️ @LeNaturel_05 plants 25 points and @DonatasMot in a double-double match Next Friday at Gaston-Médecin against @FBBasketbol pic.twitter.com/BRqIxlvBik
— AS Monaco Basket (@ASMonaco_Basket) February 22, 2022
After an alert and attacking first quarter (22-19), during which Donta Hall gave himself to heart with two powerful dunks at the end of the period, the end of the first period was much more bumpy. If Kazan came back up (22-22, 14th), the Monegasques, like an electric Hall, held their own in the racket, despite the absence of Dwayne Bacon, with the flu.
Under the impetus of Mike James and despite a powerful Mario Hezonja opposite (20 points), Monaco gradually widened the gap until the break (44-36).
However, even led by 13 points (53-40, 26th), Kazan did not give up. The more skilful Russians owed their opponents 15-8 to come back to -6 (61-55) before the last quarter. The scenario of the last period was therefore incredible. But, despite the return of Kazan and the address of the American OJ Mayo (15 points), James and Monaco got away with it and can still dream.