Monaco punishes Asvel in Betclic Elite
Asvel continues to plunge. Three days after collapsing in money-time in Limoges (82-71), the French champion drowned in the first minutes on Tuesday in Monaco. He was never able to get his head out of the water in this advanced match of the 14th day of Betclic Elite, even if he toned down the addition a little in the second half (97-78) while he was at -25 at the start of the second half.
The Principality’s team took advantage of the heavy defeat of Boulogne-Levallois in Roanne (102-77), in a late game, to take first place in the standings, with one game more.
With a gala Mike James, author of nineteen points in the first half (for 26 in total and 6 assists), Monaco took the teammates of Nando De Colo by the throat, passed like a shadow on the ground in start of the match (2 points and 4 stray bullets in 11 minutes), and passed thirty-three points to an overwhelmed defense in the first quarter (33-15). The Villeurbannais lost seven balls in ten minutes and were punished by James or their former leader Matthew Strazel.
Already winner of the first duel of the season last Thursday in Euroleague (84-75), the finalist of the Betclic Elite 2022 did not loosen the grip while Mike James chained the winning shots (7 out of 11 at the break) or assists.
19 points from Mike James (Monaco) in the first half
Asvel reacted in the second half after waltzing at minus 25 (61-36). Jonah Mathews passed fifteen points in the third quarter alone (23 overall) mostly from long range. The gap even melted to nine units (70-61) before a 7-0 in less than two minutes revived the “Roca Team” and killed the weak hope of Villeurbanne return.
This eighth defeat in nine matches in all competitions, the sixth in twelve domestic days, is already jeopardizing the qualification of the French champions for the Leaders Cup, which will oppose the first eight after the first leg to Saint-Chamond (Loire, 17- February 19, 2023).
Asvel will be under pressure on Sunday December 11 at home against Paris. But in the meantime she will come up against FC Barcelona on Friday in the Euroleague where she brings up the rear after five losses in a row. Monaco, second in the continental event, continues with another trip to Spain, to Real Madrid on Thursday. Before challenging Boulogne-Levallois and Victor Wembanyama on Sunday in Levallois.