AS Monaco Basket won on the court of Milan, during this third day of the Euroleague (82-79). The Monegasques showed a better defensive sector despite a very tight end to the match.
This Thursday evening, the Roca Team traveled to the court of Milan. After their defeat against Chalon-sur-Saône at home and a mixed start in the Euroleague (one win and one defeat), the Monegasques needed to step up a gear.
In these first matches, Vassilis Spanoulis’s men suffered greatly in defense. During the last three home games, the Monegasques conceded more than 80 points each time. Against Chalon-sur-Saône, the players from the Principality were heavily dominated in the paint, leading them to a loss (99-104).
A serious start to the match
Unlike the matches at the beginning of the season, the Monegasques started this game well. Without being transcendent, the Roca Team players were diligent and serious in their efforts. Nikola Mirotic’s teammates were tougher in defense and put the Italians in difficulty.
At the end of these first ten minutes, the men in white that evening conceded only 17 points. By comparison, they had conceded 31 points this weekend in the Betclic Elite against Chalon.
Their very good defense allowed them to be ahead on the scoreboard at the end of this first quarter (22-17). The Monegasques struggled much less in the rebound duel, with five rebounds secured by the Roca Team against seven for Milan.
A lot of errors in the second quarter
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Monegasques were a bit more inconsistent defensively. Weaknesses appeared, allowing the Milanese to come back to the score (27-27). Facing this Italian comeback, the Roca Team woke up and scored nine points against two for Milan.
This second period was marked by massive offensive errors from both teams. The Milanese ended the quarter with 37% shooting, compared to 29% for the Monegasques. Completely missed open shots illustrated this imprecision. The Roca Team did not score a single three-point shot in this quarter, with six attempts.
The European and World champion, Daniel Theis, shined in this part. The German scored 12 points, with 5/5 shooting, and grabbed seven rebounds in this first half. A performance that allowed the Roca Team to head to the locker room with a five-point lead (41-36).
A tense end to the third quarter
Once again, AS Monaco Basket found themselves tied by the Milanese (45-45). A new delicate start to the quarter for the Rock players. They woke up again and regained the lead, with an eight-point lead (48-56).
The end of the third quarter was very tense on the Italian side. A first technical foul against Milan was not well-received by the transalpine bench. Moments later, on a fast break, coach Ettore Messina complained about a foul on a layup attempt by Zach LeDay. The Italian coach was furious and received a technical foul.
The Unipol Forum expressed its discontent with this refereeing decision. Tension rose a notch. Ettore Messina was very tense and was held back by his own players. The Roca Team was still leading on the scoreboard (66-62).
A very close end to the match
This time AS Monaco Basket did not allow themselves to be caught up in this early quarter. The players of Vassilis Spanoulis were determined to win tonight. They extended their lead to more than ten points (79-69), the largest gap of the match. The scenario seemed set, but the Lombard club had other plans.
The Milanese finished the match strong, and came back to within one point of the Roca Team (80-79). After excellent defense on an Italian counterattack, Monaco earned a final foul. Matthew Strazel did not waver and scored his two free throws. A composure that allowed the Rock team to win (82-79).
A victory that allowed AS Monaco Basket to reassure themselves slightly about their defensive work. They will need to confirm these efforts in the upcoming matches.
The next step for the Roca Team is Sunday (7:30 PM), on the court of Paris Basketball. The first confrontation since the Betclic Elite finals. In regards to the Euroleague, it will be a new trip to Italy, this time to Bologna, next Wednesday (8:30 PM).
