Ricky Rubio’s return may have stolen the show, but the Monaco not… given to Barcelona!
His team Sasha Obradovic passed like a “siphon” from the “Palau Blaugrana”, as the Catalans prevailed with a score of 77-67, as a result of which reach 17-10 and to take a powerful step in the battle for it home advantage!
In the first quarter the Barcelona dominated and got away with +9 (21-12), however from then on the Monegasques “tightened” their defense tremendously, blocked every path to their basket and finally managed to lead with double digit differenceswithout being threatened with defeat in the final.
Top of the winners with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal was the Mike James, who is now just 12 points away from first place on the EuroLeague all-time scoring list. Mathieu Strazel was very good with 13 points, while 12 points were scored by Donatas Motiegiounaswhich “transformed” in the second half.
From the hosts, who fell to 18-9 and now feel… hot breath Panathinaikou AKTOR, Monaco and Virtusstood out with 19 points and 10 rebounds o Jan Vesely. He scored 5 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in his return Ricky Rubio.
The match
Barcelona entered the match very strongly with their protagonists Have fun and Laprovitola. The “blaugrana” closed the roads to their basket for a long time and led 9-2, while a little later Laprovitola made a three-pointer for 12-4. Gradually, the Strazel with personal actions he “unstuck” the Monegasques and helped them reduce to 14-9, but the Abrines with a personal streak he signed 20-11. The first period ended with a score of 21-12 in favor of his until then dominant team Roger Grimmow.
The situation changed rapidly in the second quarter. Led by him OkoboMonaco found a rhythm and quickly reduced it to 21-18, while shortly after the Donda Hall brought her within striking distance (23-21). Barcelona stuck for a long time offensively, with Diallo reducing with a long shot and Strazel giving the first lead to the visitors with three shots (25-27). The French team stayed in front for a long time thanks to Blossomgame and James (28-31), before Barcelona answer with a good interval by hand Veseli and Laprovitolaresulting in a 35-33 halftime score.
Monaco continued to impress in the second half. By Motieyounas to catch fire and hit two consecutive long shots, the French team went ahead again (37-39), while the Lithuanian’s eighth consecutive point sealed the score at 39-41. Barcelona had no reaction to the recital of the experienced tall, who signed from close range and 41-45. The hosts finally responded with his three-pointer Satoransky (46-47), but the James and Blossomgame they scored 46-52. French dominance was then expressed with his 6 consecutive points Hallwhile the third quarter ended with a score of 51-60.
Monaco imposed its pace in the fourth period as well. THE Strazel and Blossomgame they increased the difference to a double-digit value (55-66), while o Okobo with a three-pointer he shot it to +13 (57-70). Tragically attacking Barcelona couldn’t find any pace to slow down, with the visitors showing great toughness and keeping it very low. After time, Jabari Parker made a layup to cut the French lead to single digits, and Vesely made a layup to cut it to 65-72. James took the situation on himself with personal energy and wrote 65-74, putting a “tombstone” on the hopes of the home team, with the match ending 67-77 in favor of Monaco.
The quarters: 21-12, 35-33, 51-60, 67-77
Detailed match statistics here
Source: Sport Fm
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