La Roca Team wins on the Nanterre court, 89 to 78, and qualifies for the Betclic Élite final. The Monégasques were carried by a red-hot Okobo-Strazel duo.
Five out of five! AS Monaco Basket qualifies for the fifth consecutive Betclic Élite final. The Monégasques won Game 4 of the semi-final on the Nanterre court (89-78). After a difficult start, the duo Elie Okobo — Matthew Strazel scored 45 points and led the Rock players to success.
Monaco wants to wrap up the series on the Nanterre court. After their victory in Game 3, the Rock players want to secure their ticket to the Betclic Élite final tonight. To achieve this, the Roca Team must still do without Mike James, Daniel Theis and Nikola Mirotic.
A poor start for the Roca Team
Nanterre hasn’t said its last word. The Monégasques are rattled from the outset by the Île-de-France side. Matthew Strazel’s teammates concede an 11-3 run in two minutes of play. Nanterre is on fire from distance, with a 3/3 from 3-pointers. The men of Julien Mahe are showing their intent for this game.
Following the opening moments, the Roca Team is having great difficulty on perimeter defense. The Île-de-France side took 12 three-point attempts in this first quarter. They converted six of them. On the boards, the Monégasques are once again dominated (10 rebounds to 16). Logically, AS Monaco Basket trails by seven points at the end of the first quarter (17-24).
The Okobo — Strazel show
The Monégasques don’t like the situation, and especially not the leaders. Elie Okobo restores order and scores seven points in less than two minutes. On defense, the Principality’s players take advantage of a lull from the Île-de-France side to regain confidence. Following Elie Okobo’s lead, Matthew Strazel does his part.
The two French players scored 28 points between them in this first half. A duo that gives the Île-de-France side headaches, which are struggling much more in this second quarter. Nanterre is in a shooting slump from 3-pointers, now with a terrible 0/7. Monaco pulls away with a nice 12-point lead (49-37).
The Roca Team maintains its lead
AS Monaco Basket stays the course coming out of the locker room. Elie Okobo’s teammates maintain their advantage on the scoreboard. However, shooting accuracy isn’t good for the Rock players. They show a sad 6/16 from the field, including a 5/14 from 2-pointers.
Despite this, they are causing problems for the Île-de-France defense which commits numerous fouls. Nanterre committed eight fouls in this quarter. Ten minutes before the end of this Game 4, Monaco leads by 11 points (67-56).
The Roca Team in the Betclic Élite final
Nanterre finds new momentum at the start of this final quarter. The Île-de-France side comes back to within six points of the Monégasques (72-66). The Maurice Thorez sports palace finds its voice in this closing stretch and pushes behind its team. A comeback that came too late.
Thanks to its leaders, Elie Okobo and Matthew Strazel, the Roca Team wins on the Nanterre court, 89 to 78. The two Frenchmen largely contributed to this success, scoring 45 points between them. AS Monaco Basket reaches the Betclic Élite final for the fifth consecutive year.
An unprecedented quadruple within sight for the Roca Team
Monaco can make history in the coming days. After three trophies won this season, the Monégasques can achieve a historic quadruple. An event that has never been accomplished. After a season full of ups and downs for the Rock players, the symbolism would be strong. Elie Okobo’s teammates don’t yet know their opponent, a matchup between Paris Basketball and Cholet.
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