AS Monaco Basketball loses 90-84 at home against Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Euroleague. The first quarter proved very costly for the Monégasques. Mike James was very quiet tonight, as was Elie Okobo.
Everything was decided in 10 minutes… or almost! The Roca Team fell (91-86) at home against Israeli side Maccabi Tel-Aviv. The poor first quarter from Monaco punished Vassilis Spanoulis’ men. With their backs against the wall, they failed to reverse the trend and are back to their old ways in the Euroleague.
In a packed Gaston Médecin hall, AS Monaco hosts Maccabi Tel-Aviv for the 29th day of the Euroleague. The Roca Team wants to ride the wave of their Leaders Cup success, won last weekend in Poitiers. However, the momentum is more fragile in European competition. Vassilis’ men won their last match against Baskonia, after a five-game losing streak.
A poor start for the Roca Team
The Roca Team is rattled at the start of the match. The Monégasques are, for the umpteenth time this season, dominated on the boards. The Israelis won twice as many rebounds (12 to six for Monaco). A statistic demonstrating Monaco’s defensive lapses. An observation visible since the start of the season. Nevertheless, Vassilis Spanoulis’ players cannot find a solution to the problem.
Monaco finds itself chasing the score in this first quarter. The Principality’s players suffered greatly on defense and were down 13 points (17-30). From distance, Maccabi is more accurate than Monaco (4/10 against 1/5). The men in black tonight will need to be more aggressive.
Better defense, better offense: the Roca Team fights back
With better intentions, the Roca Team starts the second half very well. The Monégasques show much more desire and determination. A change in attitude seen in the battle for rebounds. The contest evens out and the Roca Team gradually narrows the gap on the scoreboard (35-38).
The end of the quarter spoils the overall quality of this second quarter. Vassilis Spanoulis’ men go to the locker room down by nine points (40-49). During this quarter Alpha Diallo shone. The Guinean allowed his team to reduce the deficit and stay in the game. The winger scored 15 points during this first half.
The Roca Team is within reach
AS Monaco Basketball wants to take the lead in this game, but fails to do so. Vassilis Spanoulis’ men are inaccurate in front of the basket, with a poor 38% shooting percentage. Nevertheless, the Monégasques take advantage of Israeli indiscipline to get back into the game. Maccabi Tel-Aviv committed eight personal fouls in the third quarter. The Roca Team made 11 of 12 free throws in this quarter.
The Principality club remains five points behind their opponent tonight (63-68). If Alpha Diallo’s teammates are struggling so much to catch the leader on the scoreboard, it is explained by the absence of certain key individuals. Elie Okobo and Mike James, with three and five points respectively, offer too little to help their team. Two strong players having a very difficult night on the Gaston Médecin court.
Regrets and key players failing to show up for the Roca Team
AS Monaco Basketball starts the final ten minutes perfectly. For the first time since the first quarter, the Rock’s club is ahead on the scoreboard (76-75). A fleeting joy for the Gaston Médecin hall. The Monégasques commit too many fouls and quickly fall into foul trouble.
Elie Okobo has a good end to the match (five points in this quarter), but far too little to win. The Roca Team loses at home, 90 to 84, against Maccabi Tel-Aviv. The Principality’s players pay for their poor first quarter. Mike James, usually this team’s leader, failed tonight. Meanwhile, Jaron Blossomgame delivered an outstanding performance (25 points, seven rebounds and two assists).
A week before the next Euroleague match
The Roca Team has seven days of rest before their next game. A week to prepare for a crucial match on the Turkish court of Fenerbahce (March 5). A match that counts for the 30th day of the Euroleague.
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