By Le Figaro with AFP
Published yesterday at 11:02 p.m., Updated yesterday at 11:12 p.m.
Alpha Diallo and Monaco continue to surprise in the Euroleague. Fred Dides / Fred Dides / Panoramic
The princely club signed a very good operation by winning in Italy.
Monaco, winner on the wire against Virtus in Bologna (81-78) on Friday, took a step towards direct qualification for the Euroleague play-offs, eight days before the end of the regular season.
This clash between teams then decided by a single victory kept the promise: the Italians had possession to get back to 80-78, with eight seconds remaining on the clock. But Monegasque interior Mam Jaiteh, who was lurking under the basket, took the rebound, made the mistake and made a free throw. Before a final interception from Mike James (21 pts) sealed the fate of the match.
Another weapon of the Rock, Jordan Loyd confirmed his rise since his back injury, by signing his best total of points in the Euroleague this season (24 pts).
The Roca Team needed 45 points from its two gunslingers to inflict only their second defeat on the Bolognese at home in the Euroleague this season: the Transalpines had not lost since October.
Now 4th, ASM signs the operation of the evening: in addition to winning in third place (which de facto slips to fifth place), it takes advantage of Fenerbahçe’s defeat against Panathinaikos (74-63) to position itself detach Istanbulites. Seventh with one victory less on the clock (15), the “Fener” is for the moment forced to go through the play-offs.
With a record of 16 victories, Sasa Obradovic’s men are indeed well placed in the soft top-6, a guarantee of direct qualification for the play-offs. They can even target, like last year, the leading quartet offering home advantage.
Because, after a shock in Barcelona on March 1, there will be five home matches at the Rock and only two trips to the last two, Alba Berlin and Asvel.
