Élie Okobo released a small shot en route to the four he was responsible for shooting in the last ten seconds. But the success on the Monegasque back line allowed his team to repel the final rush from Anadolu Efes and win its first away match (80-78) in the Euroleague in 2024.
The French champions thus confirm the brilliant success won during the previous day against the leader of the event, Real Madrid (98-74) and move back to sixth place in the ranking with a top 4 success, after 23 days .
This is a first in Istanbul for the “Roca Team” which has lost five times so far in Turkey since its debut in the Euroleague, against Fenerbahçe or Anadolu, double European champion in 2021 and 2022.
The Monegasques were able to count on excellent defensive work to contain the Turkish attack, one of the best on the circuit, which had just reached almost 100 points in its last two home matches won against the second and third in the standings. , FC Barcelona and Virtus Bologna.
The defense of Alpha Diallo
After a difficult passage spanning the two periods (43-39 for the Turks at the break), they took control for good at the end of the third quarter after a 16-4 (72-65). They maintained this small lead until the last three minutes despite a hot shot from star Shane Larkin, who scored ten points in a row.
John Brown missed two chances to go +9 two minutes from the end and a shot from Rodrigue Beaubois brought the Turks within one length (76-77). After two successful throws from Okobo, the French guard from Anadolu Efes did it again seven seconds from the end but his prize-winning basket was reviewed on video and validated at two points, a piece of sole having slightly bitten the line at three points.
Okobo then passed every other throw to maintain a two-point lead with five seconds to go (80-78). And Beaubois’ last shot nine meters from the circle, and under the pressure of the clock, did not even touch the Monegasque basket.
For once, Mike James (16 points, 4 lost balls) was not the great architect of success. His two friends Élie Okobo (16 points, 7 of 9 free throws, 5 assists) and Jordan Loyd (14 points, 4 of 8 three-pointers) took over, with once again an impeccable Alpha Diallo in defense. Sent in defense on Larkin in the heat of the last minute, the US winger limited the influence of Anadolu star guard Efes (14 points), who did not score in the last four minutes.
Monaco will try to validate this good run next week at home against Partizan Belgrade and Fenerbahçe, two direct opponents for the top 4.
2024-01-26 20:18:33
#Monaco #wins #wire #Istanbul #Anadolu #Efes #Euroleague
