Without Mike James, Nemanja Nedovic, or Juhann Begarin, the Roca Team perfectly upheld their status at the Sports Palace. Three days after their offensive showcase in Paris in the EuroLeague, Monaco dominated JDA thanks to their physical density, defensive impact, and controlled management of the final quarter.
A perfect week for the Roca Team. The players from the Principality were on a mission tonight on the court in Dijon. The prize: the top spot in the Betclic Elite. Despite being without many players, including Mike James, AS Monaco Basket is emerging from a perfect week with two victories against Paris. On the other side, Dijon is in a tough spot. The Burgundians were on a series of three consecutive losses. Monaco had a real opportunity to capitalize.
And the Monegasques quickly realized it. The Roca Team struck very early in this encounter. Elie Okobo, Alpha Diallo, and Matthew Strazel set the scene. The ball movement hurt, as did the defensive activity on the Dijon ball handlers. After six minutes, JDA had already lost six possessions, and the Roca Team had rolled out their transition game.
Yoan Makoundou, Daniel Theis, and Jaron Blossomgame imposed their power in the paint. Nikola Mirotic, coming off the bench, punished every defensive lapse. The initial gap (13-30) allowed Monaco to control the rest of the events.
At halftime, the statistics were clear: 62% shooting, twelve fast-break points, and a logical (33-45).
An alert, then an immediate response
The only real Monegasque slump came after returning from the locker room. Dijon ramped up their defense and intensity. A 19-4 run brought JDA within two points (65-63). Turnovers piled up, and the arena was on fire.
But the Roca Team did not panic. Elie Okobo remained as consistent as always (averaging 17.4 points since the start of the season) and calmed things down. Terry Tarpey hit an important shot in the corner. Alpha Diallo reclaimed the advantage on the offensive boards. Yoan Makoundou’s timely entry boosted Monaco physically once again.
The final quarter confirmed the depth of the team. Monaco reapplied heavy pressure on the Dijon ball handlers and cut off passing lanes. This forced Dijon to play small ball without rhythm. Fouls and opponent injuries did the rest: Narace and Holston out, Owens and Barnett limited by their fouls.
The Roca Team strung together good sequences. Terry Tarpey, Matthew Strazel, and Alpha Diallo punished every lapse. Yoan Makoundou sealed the night with the final points (99-86). Monaco managed without ever falling apart, even after letting their lead slip.
The night’s leaders
- Elie Okobo: 14 points, three assists, three rebounds
- Alpha Diallo: 14 points, omnipresent in duels
- Nikola Mirotic: 14 points in less than 20 minutes, five rebounds
- Matthew Strazel: 11 points, eight assists
- Yoan Makoundou: 10 points, three rebounds
- Jaron Blossomgame: 10 points, four rebounds
Without their star point guard and with two reinforcements missing, the Roca Team again demonstrated that they have one of the most robust rosters in the championship. Three matches in five days, three victories. Vasilis Spanoulis’s team – driven by their rediscovered defensive identity and collective quality – is on a roll ahead of hosting Fenerbahçe next Friday in the EuroLeague.
