Monaco Downs Bayern: EuroLeague Upset

Seventeen points of lead wasted against Fenerbahçe (86-92), disappointment in Vitoria (73-85)… After two defeats which were bad form in the Euroleague and had seen it slip somewhat in the ranking, Monaco set the record straight. And in what way. The expiatory victim was Bayern Munich (103-77), 18th in the Euroleague, which remains stuck at the bottom of the ranking, where it rubs shoulders with the two other residents of Betclic Élite, Paris, defeated Thursday evening in Madrid (90-95) and Asvel, the red lantern traveling to Olympiakos on Friday.

On the contrary, the Roca Team clings to the top 6 (tied 6th with Real Madrid and Zalgiris Kaunas, 10 wins, 7 losses), directly qualifying for the play-offs, two days before mid-season. It was necessary for the recent Euroleague finalist. Especially after a catastrophic start against the Germans, who suffered an eighth loss in a row. However, it was the teammates of Andreas Obst (9 points) and former NBAer Spencer Dinwiddie (10) who launched the hostilities (11-2, 5th), leading us to believe momentarily that a club from the Principality was still on the ropes, with an apathetic face in defensive intentions.

The Slaughter of Mike James

A shout from Vassilis Spanoulis, and off we go again. The second five put the Monegasques back on their feet, like an impactful Matthew Strazel from his entry (10 points 5 assists), while Mike James took his time, but ended up gradually putting his hand on a match where his slaughter (14 points, 6 assists, 10 caused fouls) showed the way. ASM first went 20 to 2 to mark its territory, going from 8-17, 8th to 28-19, 12th, when Alpha Diallo, in the oven and in the mill (12 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists), served Nikola Mirotic (16 points, 6 rebounds) for 3 points in the corner. Élie Okobo, top scorer of the match, finished with 18 points and 4 assists.

Having gone to the locker room with an eight-length lead (47-39), Monaco returned to business in steamroller mode, and put an end to the suspense by passing a 10-2 from which Bayern never recovered. The third period turned into an offensive orgy (35-16) and Vassilis Spanoulis’s men, who returned to their collective game (24 passes), approached the 30 point gap (84-55, 31st). They exceeded 100 points for the fifth time this season. At evaluation, the gap was abysmal (147 to 51).

Good for morale and confidence, while Monaco remains at home where it welcomes Nanterre to Gaston-Médecin from Sunday in the Championship (12th day).