Wembanyama and Spurs back on earth: ‘It’s a period of transition’
Video credit: Eurosport
Monaco struck hard by winning (90-74) in Barcelona, a competitor for qualification for the final phase of the Euroleague, this Tuesday, while veteran Nando de Colo propelled Villeurbanne to victory against Paris (94-89).
With 12 victories for 7 defeats, the “Roca Team” hangs on within a group of three teams with the same number of successes, just behind the surprise leaders, Hapoel Tel-Aviv and Valencia (13-6).
After Real Madrid (100-95) on Friday, the Monegasques have a second Spanish big name on their roster in five days, although some of them participated in the French basketball All-Star Game on Sunday in Paris.
From Colo, three 3-point baskets to knock out Paris
Despite fatigue, ASM got off to a great start (47-30 at half-time) which allowed them to spend the second half warm. Star point guard Mike James scored 19 points, well supported by pivot Kevarrius Hayes (15 pts). For their part, Villeurbanne and Paris sweated until the end to seek victory, in a French derby between Euroleague dunces. The Parisian Nadir Hifi, one of the faces of the new generation of French basketball players (23 years old), showed off his quality as a shooter (26 pts), but in the “money time”, it was an old hand who took the spotlight.
Euroleague MVP in 2016, Nando de Colo, 38, scored three 3-point baskets in the last three minutes to allow Villeurbanne to have the last word. The ex-Choletais finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. His teammate Glynn Watson broke his season points record, with 28 points. With this sixth success, Asvel (6-13) abandons last place to Bayern Munich (5-13) and catches up to the level of Paris Basketball (6-13).
