By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Monaco has a lot of talent but this was a gritty win combined with a bit of luck in the end.
The “Roca Team” prevailed over Real Madrid thanks to their defense, as the final 77-73 suggests. Coach Vassilis Spanoulis’ team forced Real Madrid to 19 turnovers, while the “Whites” had just 12 assists.
Nick Calathes with 12 points and 10 assists had a great game, but also made a silly foul on Llull in the end that ultimately didn’t cost, while Matthew Strazel was the top scorer of Monaco with 13 points.
“We got to be able to close it better, obviously we made some stupid mistakes and if we want to win big games, in the end, we have to be solid”, admitted Calathes.
Thanks to this result Monaco is third in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings with a 15-9 record.
Mario Hezonja had 15 points for Real Madrid but got ejected at the start of the fourth quarter, while Sergio Llull scored 12 points for the losing side, which dropped to 13-11.
A dogfight
Monaco created a 7-point distance at the end of the first period (20-13) and pushed it to 13 points (32-19) after four minutes in the second quarter.
Madrid reacted with a 9-0 run (32-28) fighting defense with defense and with a four-point play by Sergio Llull got the 37-36 lead.
Andres Feliz closed the first half with two free throws to give Real Madrid a 39-36 advantage.
Monaco opened the second half with an 11-3 run, getting the lead back (47-42) and keeping a three-point advantage (59-56) at the end of the third period.
The hosts created again a five-point distance (65-60) with Calathes scoring, Hezonja was ejected with two technical fouls, but Matthew Strazel made one free throw (66-60) and Real Madrid was still close.
Sergio Llull made a goal-foul (66-63), Strazel answered back with a three (69-63) and the game turned even more into a dogfight.
With four minutes left, Calathes made it an eight-point game (71-63), Madrid turned over the ball and Mike Jeams pushed the lead to 10 (73-63).
Still, Real Madrid managed to get into sticking distance after a three by Campazzo with 24 seconds left. James got fouled and made one of two free throws (76-72) and then Calathes fouled Llull on a three-pointer attempt with 20 seconds on the clock.
Llull made only one of three free throws (76-73), and Diallo got the rebound and the foul. He made also one of two (77-73) with 18 seconds left and nobody could score after that on a sloppy night for both sides.