Roca Team wins on home court, 103 to 88, in game 1 of the semi-finals against Nanterre. A victory achieved thanks to an excellent fourth quarter by the Monegasque team.
A successful start to the series for Roca Team! The Monegasques defeated Nanterre, in game 1 of the Betclic Élite playoff semi-finals. A success that took time to materialize. The last ten minutes were one-sided, in favor of the Rock’s team.
AS Monaco Basket hosts Nanterre for game 1 of these Betclic Élite playoff semi-finals. After eliminating Bourg-en-Bresse in two matches, Monaco must eliminate the Parisian club to reach the finals. For its part, Nanterre defeated Le Mans, also in two games, in the previous round.
Roca Team still missing key players for this game 1
Roca Team enters this match with four notable absences. Daniel Theis, Alpha Diallo and Nikola Mirotic are injured. Mike James continues his strike for this match, but is present in the stands. On the court, Elie Okobo’s teammates are struggling on the boards in this first quarter. A bad habit this season for the Rock’s team.
The Monegasques remain close in score to their opponents of the evening, thanks to their accuracy from beyond the arc (3/4 in this first quarter). Roca Team trails by three points (24-27) after ten minutes of play. A first quarter with a lot of intensity. A situation that pushes both teams to commit fouls with no fewer than seven turnovers during this first period.
A lot of intensity and Roca Team trailing at halftime
This second quarter is just as intense as the first. An intensity pushing both teams into indiscipline. After five minutes of play in this second quarter, Monaco and Nanterre find themselves in foul trouble. In total, the Parisians committed eight fouls during these ten minutes.
The Principality players take advantage of Nanterre’s shooting slump to pull away, with an eight-point lead (34-42). However, Nanterre will finish the quarter with a rush. With four three-pointers almost in succession, the visitors double the Monegasques’ score just before halftime (49-50).
Roca Team takes the lead
Aggressiveness did not leave the court despite halftime. In this intense battle, it’s the Roca Team that takes the lead upon return from the locker room. Monaco gets numerous free throws (7/11 in this quarter). The Principality players maintain good accuracy in front of the basket, with over 60% shooting success.
The battle for rebounds has balanced out. Monaco is no longer dominated and even becomes more effective than Nanterre. Roca Team stays the course and leads ten minutes from the end of this game 1 of the semi-finals (75-71).
Game 1 for Roca Team
From the start of the final quarter, Monaco kills the suspense of this end of the game. More dominant, more accurate in front of the basket, the Roca Team makes the difference and runs away with the victory. During the first four minutes, AS Monaco Basket is at over 85% shooting accuracy. The Monegasques are on fire in this end of the match.
At the end of this game, Roca Team wins 103 to 88. A tight match until the final quarter, where Monaco decided to shift into high gear. On an individual level, Matthew Strazel and Jarron Blossomgame shone. The Frenchman finishes the game with 23 points and three assists. The American displays a very nice stat line with 23 points and four rebounds.
48 hours until game 2
The next appointment is in 48 hours. Game 2 of the series will take place, again, at Gaston Médecin. As a reminder, victory is determined by the best of five games. In any case, there will be a game 3, Friday night, at the Maurice Thorez sports palace.
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