In a tense end to the match, the Roca Team wins the 100% clash against Paris in the Euroleague. A victory, 91 to 85, obtained with difficulty but thanks to a united collective.
Well started by Mike James and his 17 points in the first quarter, AS Monaco Basket wins 91 to 85 on the court of the Adidas Arena. The Rock players achieve a sixth consecutive victory in the Euroleague, with a record of blocks in a match this season.
It’s in a packed Adidas Arena that the Roca Team plays this Thursday evening. The Monégasques are up against the Parisians of Nadir Hifi, for the 22nd day of Euroleague. The men of Vassilis Spanoulis are on a streak of 10 consecutive wins, including five in the competition. Facing them, the Parisians are struggling in the Euroleague, 16th before the match. They come off of a victory, in Betclic Élite, against Strasbourg.
The Roca Team’s collective shines
The Monégasques do not immediately settle into their game. They are caught off guard and suffer an 8-0 run in the first moments of the match. Panic does not appear on the faces of the Monégasques, who remain very calm and catch up. They reverse the trend and conclude the first ten minutes, leading the score (27-23). Mike James is on fire with 17 points.
A very intense first quarter, with no timeouts, and a lively ball on the court. The statistics for both teams are almost identical. The Rock players take advantage of free throws (4 compared to 1 for Paris) to lead their opponent of the evening. On the defensive end, the teammates of Daniel Theis, back on the court, are tough with three blocks. An area of play not usually in favor of AS Monaco Basket.
The Mirotic show to widen the gap
The second quarter is, once again, balanced. Both teams exchange blow for blow. The Roca Team is less precise than their opponent (42% compared to 53%), but manage to widen the gap thanks to their three-point shooting. The Monégasques scored four three-pointers out of twelve attempts. The Francilians didn’t score any in this quarter.
Nikola Mirotic puts on a show in the last minute of this quarter. He scores his first eight points of the game, allowing AS Monaco Basket to increase their lead (52-43).
A repeating scenario
At the start of the second half, the scenario repeats. The Parisians catch up some of their deficit, tying the score (59-59). Once again, the Monégasques create a gap with the Francilians. The teammates of Alpha Diallo take a 12-point lead, ten minutes before the end of the game.
On an individual level, it’s Mike James who stands out. The American scored 21 points during these first three quarters. The strength of the Roca Team in recent weeks remains its collective play. The game plan is clear, the ball moves, and each player contributes.
A victory in a tense match end for the Roca Team
Monaco puts themselves in difficulty alone. Nikola Mirotic concedes a fifth foul, and will not play the last eight minutes of this game. A situation that weakens the Principality players in defense. While the Parisians came back within two points, it is the Monégasques who emerge victorious in this tense end to the match, 91 to 85.
The Monégasques achieve an eleventh consecutive victory. A record was also broken during this match. The players of Vassilis Spanoulis made nine blocks, the previous record in Euroleague, this season, was five. A fourth victory this season against Paris Basketball, in as many meetings.
One match remains this week for the Roca Team. A game that will take place on Saturday at 6:30 PM at Gaston Médecin, with the reception of Limoges, for the 16th day of Betclic Élite. In the Euroleague, the next match will be held in Monaco, on January 20th against the Red Star of Belgrade.
