Basketball: a small Roca Team imposes itself in Betclic Elite

Without shining, Roca Team wins on the Gravelines-Dunkerque court, 89 to 77. A sluggish success for the Monégasques, who are nonetheless continuing their winning streak after their Euroleague success. 

Winning without shining! That sums up Monaco’s trip to Gravelines-Dunkerque this Saturday evening. AS Monaco Basket won 89 to 77 against the northern team. Monaco had great difficulties with three-pointers, with a poor 3/21. A lack of accuracy that didn’t prevent the Monégasques from winning, with a Matthew Strazel at the helm.

Heading north for Monaco! Roca Team travels to the Gravelines-Dunkerque court this Saturday evening. A match counting for the 23rd day of Betclic Élite. After a crazy finish against Anadolu Efes Thursday evening, the players from the Rock want to get back to winning in Betclic Élite. Against them, the northerners struck hard last week, snatching a victory in overtime against Paris.

A balanced first quarter 

AS Monaco Basket has a mixed start. Matthew Strazel’s teammates struggle to dominate the early stages of the game. The Monégasques lose many turnovers (four in the first ten minutes). Behind the three-point line, Monaco is struggling with a 0/5. Dunkerque is more successful with a 3/9 in this area of play.

Roca Team forces the northern team to foul. The Dunkerque players committed six fouls in this first quarter. The Monégasques converted eight of the nine free throws obtained. Very balanced exchanges that translate to the score after ten minutes of play. AS Monaco Basket is down by one point (20-21).

Roca Team leading at halftime 

Roca Team adjusts, little by little. The Monégasques commit fewer turnovers (just one) during this quarter. Elie Okobo’s teammates are more accurate in front of the basket. At two points, they finish these ten minutes with an excellent 8/9. At long distance, Monaco recovers with a 2/5.

The players from the Rock are more solid defensively. Even though they still have some rough patches, the Monégasques put the Dunkerque team in difficulty. The northerners finish the quarter with a poor 31% shooting accuracy. Monaco’s performance increases in intensity and allows them to return to the locker room leading the score (47-39).

Waste during this third quarter

Basketball lovers are not having a great time during this third quarter. Both teams come back timidly from the locker room. Many shots are forced and logically missed. Monaco and Dunkerque barely exceed 30% shooting accuracy. An impressive lack of precision giving a quarter with few points (only 33 points).

Against the fourteenth-ranked team in Betclic Élite, the leader is struggling and beginning to falter. Roca Team stays ahead on the scoreboard (64-55) ten minutes from the end of this game. The Rock formation is not immune from an evening that could turn into a nightmare.

A victory without shining 

Both teams recovered their shooting accuracy in the final minutes. While playing it safe, the Roca Team heads toward victory. Gravelines-Dunkerque is too brittle defensively. AS Monaco Basket wins 91 to 77 in northern territory. A match where only the victory should be retained. The performance wasn’t there this Saturday evening, but Roca Team gets back on the winning track in Betclic Élite.

Matthew Strazel guided his teammates in this sluggish game. The point guard finishes the match with 13 points, five rebounds and especially 11 assists. Elie Okobo and Alpha Diallo also contributed to this success. The Frenchman finishes the game with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Malian is satisfied with 15 points and six rebounds.

Busy schedule for Roca Team 

It’s a week with three matches awaiting the Monégasques. Two Euroleague games to start, with the home reception of Milan (March 24), then a trip to Greece to face Panathinaikos (March 27). The week will conclude at Gaston Médecin, for the 24th day of Betclic Élite, with a matchup against Le Mans (March 29).