Monaco once again had to draw on its resources, already well depleted by 60 matches played this season, to bring Valencia down on Friday evening on the Rock (79-78). A laborious success only locked at the end of the match thanks to a huge award-winning basket from Mike James (17 points, 5 of 14 shooting, 4 assists) on the head of Chris Jones (75-68, 37th) then two throws from the American leader (77-70, 38th). If he was still reluctant to open his bench, Sasa Obradovic pulled off a nice coup by starting Matthew Strazel.
Absent Wednesday against Milan (80-98), the international leader (7 points, 6 assists) served the caviar, notably to Jaron Blossomgame, and also scored a saving long shot at the end of the match (72-64, 34th ). But the Roca Team almost let its success slip away. However, this seemed to be on the right track with a serious start to the match, far from the apathetic defense offered on Wednesday. X factor of the evening, Blossomgame gave his team a 12-point lead (25-13, 9th), on the way to his personal record in the Euroleague (17 points).
Decisive hall, Monaco in the top 4
But between a faulty address on the free throw line and a Spanish heat stroke behind the arc, Valencia quickly came back (29-27, 14th), in place for a trailing match. The Spanish team was never left behind by more than eight points in the second half (57-49, 27th), with a huge dunk from Petr Cornelie barely coming into play. Lacking offensive ideas, Monaco finished by giving up the advantage after a strong basket from Semi Ojeleye (22 points), plus the mistake (59-61, 32nd).
Another joker then came off the bench to restore order. In three minutes, Donta Hall (8 points, 5 assists, 14 rating) offered himself a spectacular tap-dunk, an alley-oop concluded with one hand and another dunk (69-62, 34th). On the other side of the basket, James was even exemplary in defense with an angry counter on Jaime Pradilla, the… opposing pivot.
After important winning arrows from Strazel then James, two shots from Hall ended up blowing Monaco away 5 seconds from the final buzzer (79-75, 39th). A pointless shot from Chris Jones reduced the deficit to one point at the buzzer on the Spanish side. The Roca Team will return to the top 4 of the Euroleague on Friday evening following the match between FC Barcelona (2nd) and Panathinaikos (3rd). James and his partners will have the opportunity to secure their direct place in the play-offs (top 6) in the event of a victory next Thursday in Décines against Asvel.
2024-03-22 20:07:37
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