In a clash that pitted the two frontrunners of France’s Betclic Elite basketball league against each other, AS Monaco came out on top with a convincing 89-71 victory over Lyon’s LDLC ASVEL. The result solidifies the Roca Team’s status at the top and extends their unbeaten run at home to 11 games.
On Tuesday 6th February, AS Monaco showcased why they are the team to beat in the Betclic Elite by delivering a strong performance against Lyon-Villeurbanne (LDLC ASVEL) that concluded 89-71.
Going into the game, AS Monaco had been just two points ahead of their closest rivals in the domestic league after a recent setback over the weekend that saw the Rouges et Blancs lose out to Bourg-en-Bresse.
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Starting evenly with a first-quarter tie at 21, AS Monaco seized control after halftime through aggressive tactics and strategic play. Mike James stood out, contributing 17 points, four rebounds and five assists to once again affirm his key role in Monaco’s offense.
Élie Okobo also shined for Monaco, with a solid 14 points, three rebounds and an evaluation of 18 to his name. The positive result was further enhanced by Matthew Strazel and Alpha Diallo, who contributed 11 and 10 points respectively.
Post-match, Coach Saša Obradović remarked on AS Monaco’s performance: “We lacked energy in the first half, we were soft in attack. In the second half, we made the effort and that allowed us to make a difference.”
This victory marks Monaco’s eighth win in eight encounters against LDLC ASVEL.
While the attention of both teams will now be on the EuroLeague, with 18th-placed LDLC ASVEL heading to Spain to face Baskonia on Thursday 8th February and fifth-placed AS Monaco set to visit Bologna on Friday 9th February, the two teams will meet again in less than a week for the Round of 16 in the French Cup.
The game will take place in the Salle Gaston Médecin on Tuesday 13th February at 8pm. Click here for tickets.
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Photo credit: AS Monaco Basket, Facebook