In a breathtaking final stretch, Roca Team wins 81-80 against Olympiacos in the Euroleague. A Monaco team united until the end despite the current tense climate within the club and numerous absences.
A most important victory for Roca Team! AS Monaco Basketball wins at home against the Greek side Olympiacos (81-80). A crucial success to avoid sinking in the Euroleague. Despite the absences of Okobo and Mitrovic, the Rock’s club remains in the qualifying positions for the play-in.
In a packed Gaston Médecin arena, AS Monaco Basketball hosts Olympiacos. Many Greek supporters made the trip for the match. A match that comes a few hours after the official announcement of Vassilis Spanoulis’ departure. On the court, Roca Team is coming off two consecutive wins. In the Euroleague, the Monégasques have won only one of their last eight matches.
A perfect start for Roca Team
Often penalized by poor starts in Euroleague matches, Roca Team learns from its mistakes tonight. The players from the Principality are performing from the first moments. The competition is balanced in the rebounding battle (10-8 in favor of Monaco).
Despite a lack of long-range accuracy (0/3 from three-point range), Mike James’ teammates are ahead on the scoreboard, after ten minutes of play (22-14). The men of Manuchar Markoishvili, Roca Team’s new coach in the Euroleague, start their match perfectly thanks to excellent defensive work.
A combative Roca Team
Following the first half, Roca Team continues on its momentum. The Monégasques extend their lead on the scoreboard and have 15 points ahead (29-14). The Greek team does not give up and rebounds. It takes advantage of Monaco’s lack of discipline to get back into the game. Mike James’ teammates committed eight fouls during this quarter.
Roca Team has only a six-point lead going into halftime (43-37). Nevertheless, the main thing is elsewhere. Despite the extremely difficult period, the Monaco team is still there. Not everything is perfect, but the team is combative and shows determination. A face that Roca Team has not always shown this season.
A shooting slump for Roca Team
The second half starts very badly for AS Monaco Basketball. The players from the Rock find themselves trailing for the first time in the match (45-47). Against them the Greeks are accurate from behind the arc. They display a solid 5/8 during this third quarter. A playing area more difficult to manage for Roca Team, with 2/7.
The duels are intense and the competition is balanced. The Monégasques force Evan Fournier’s teammates to lose the ball, with four turnovers in this third period. Olympiacos is ahead on the scoreboard, as they enter the final quarter of the match (62-63).
A breathtaking finish
The beginning of the fourth quarter will not go down in basketball history! Both teams show a lot of waste and inaccuracy. Roca Team finds itself in foul trouble after four minutes of play. The end of the match is extremely tense between the two teams. In the final minute of play, Mike James gets injured and must leave his teammates while the score is 79-79.
In the absence of the American point guard, it is Matthew Strazel who takes responsibility. The Frenchman frees Gaston Médecin with a sublime crossover. Roca Team wins 81-80 against Olympiacos. A victory obtained with character. It will do an enormous amount of good for the Monaco players’ morale, during this difficult period.
Betclic Elite on the weekend schedule
The week is not over for AS Monaco Basketball. Mike James’ teammates host Nancy, Saturday at 6:20 p.m., for the 22nd day of Betclic Elite. The next Euroleague match is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, against Anadolu Efes.
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