By Le Figaro with AFP
Published yesterday at 10:15 p.m., Updated yesterday at 11:24 p.m.
Mike James had 15 points and 12 assists against Real. Norbert Scanella / Norbert Scanella / Panoramic
The Roca Team did not tremble against the leader of the Euroleague, Real Madrid, this Friday, in Monaco, the 22nd day.
A princely Mike James, in altruistic mode, guided Monaco to a prestigious victory in the form of a correction inflicted on Real Madrid (98-74), leader of the Euroleague, Friday evening in its Gaston-Médecin hall, for the 22nd day . “I am very happy with this victory», welcomed Monegasque coach Sasa Obradovic at the end of the match. “It’s one of the best matches we’ve ever played in this room. It’s an incredible victory.»
After the heavy defeat suffered at Panathinaikos (63-88), the Roca Team has indeed brilliantly relaunched with this convincing success, the 12th (10 defeats) which allows it to move up to 7th place before traveling on Friday next in Istanbul to challenge Efes. The Turkish club (15th) is making a turnaround after a difficult start to the campaign, as evidenced by its success obtained Thursday at the expense of Barcelona (98-74), second in the standings. “Efes is a totally different team today. Their injured players are coming back and they are still aiming for the Final 4. They are currently playing very good basketball. It will be very hard. We must already forget this victory» at the expense of Real, warned Obradovic.
If Jordan Loyd finished as the top scorer of the match with 19 points, James was the great architect of the victory for the Monegasques, with a personal total of 15 points, 12 assists and an evaluation of 32.Mike kept the team connectedappreciated his coach. He is currently the best player at his position in the Euroleague. It’s too early to talk about MVP, but I think he’s having his best season and the fans know it well. Now we also have to see where we will end up, because nothing is done.»
Le show James
Despite this severe setback, the third of its season, Real Madrid remains at the top of the competition, but will have to react against Olympiakos next Thursday.
The start of the Monegasque meeting was like the first two long-range baskets from Yakuba Ouattara (6-0, 2nd) or this alley-oop (dunk after a pass in the air) from Jaitey on a pass from James (15-6, 5th): spectacular and effective. The Principality team gradually defeated the reigning European champion to gain a 13-point lead (33-20, 10th). By the end of the first quarter, James already had seven points, six assists, three rebounds and a steal. The star took the Roca Team in his wake.
From the start of the second quarter, the Spaniards came back thanks to a skillful Segio Rodriguez who scored eight points in two minutes (33-26, 12th). But both the ex-Madrilenian Petr Cornelie and his friends, no one gave up in defense. Monaco even had a 20-unit lead on a basket awarded to Alpha Diallo (54-34, 18th). Just before, Jordan Loyd had, like James in Madrid last season, made the perfect shot with a long-distance basket to which was added a point on a free throw, due to Rodriguez’s foul (43 -29, 15th).
At the break, Real therefore logically saw the gap widen (56-40, MT). James, for his part, continued his show in the second act. And if Real tried to toughen the game, the skill of its players was never at the required level. So much so that Monaco has accentuated its domination. And after being 29 points ahead (85-56, 32nd), Obradovic’s men were even able to manage to finish with 24 points ahead.
