By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Between the 71-54 loss in Game 1 and the convincing 96-72 victory in Game 2, AS Monaco earned a tie at one win apiece heading to a couple of home games to continue the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Quarterfinals best-of-five series versus Olympiacos.
“It is this third game that we will absolutely have to win,” pointed out La Roca Team head coach Sasha Obradovic, “I hope we will be mentally ready. The domestic success this weekend is good preparation before this crucial week against Olympiacos. At the moment tour practices are reduced, so I am happy with what I saw in our last game.”
Both Game 3 Wednesday and Game 4 Friday will be held at Salle Gaston Medecin. Game 5, if necessary will return and decide the series in the Peace And Friendship Stadium next week.
Alpha Diallo did not play in Game 2 due to injury and was among the players ruled out of the domestic Betclic Elite LNB Pro A Regular Season Round 31 contest versus Fos-sur-Mer Sunday. In a dominating display, Monaco got the win and matched Boulogne Metropolitans 92 at 22-8 on top of the French league standings.
On the opposite end, Olympiacos will move straight from the first couple of games in Greece to the next two affairs on the road. Ruled out of both Game 1 and Game 2 with a thigh injury, Hassan Martin is considered questionable to play in Game 3. The Rhode Island product is expected to travel alongside his teammates to Monaco on Tuesday.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net