By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
In the last game of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 7, Valencia (4-3) produced a great display, especially in the second half against AS Monaco (5-2). The Spanish side had more offensive options and in the end, got a big win, 89-84.
Chris Jones tied his career high with 27 points. Jared Harper added 16, and James Webb 15.
“I got great teammates who spread the floor for me”, explained Jones, talking about his game. “I got shooter around me, Dubi [Bojan Dubljevic] pick and pop, [James] Webb. It’s a team game”.
On the other side, Jordan Loyd had 24. Mike James did not have his night. He finished the game with 12 points.
The game started as a shootout with Chris Jones on one side and Jordan Loyd on the other. The two guards were unstoppable on offense and were the main reason for the high-paced first half in Spain 41-40.
The game was decided in the third quarter. Valencia played its best basketball at that moment and scored 23 points in 10 minutes. Monaco on the other side struggled offensively and that was the story of the game.
They fell behind and could not come back in the last quarter. Elie Okobo hit a three that tied the game at 73-73, but Harper and Jones responded on time to secure a win.
As Valencia Basket head coach Alex Mumbru said: “We had two shots from [James] Webb in the last moments, but we played good defense throughout the game and finally we could find our shots. We worked as a whole team, we played good defense, not only with Mike James but everybody. It was a great defensive game.”
Next week, Valencia is heading to Bologna, while Monaco will play against Baskonia.