By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
After both losing their domestic cups respectively to Trento and Le Mans, Milan and AS Monaco were called up to a big battle in Italy to start the last part of the 2024-25 EuroLeague Regular Season.
In the end, the hosts got the job done once again, thanks to the duo composed of Nikola Mirotic (22 points) and Shavon Shields (19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists), getting a crucial win on the road to a potential place in the Play-Ins or Playoffs.
Stopping by in the flash interviews, the former Barcelona star praised his teammate. “I think tonight the MVP was Shavon Shields, he gave us what we needed in clutch moments. Not just offensively, but also defensively,” Nikola Mirotic opened in the post-game talk.
“I’m very happy with the win after the break, it was a team effort. This is a big moment for us, there aren’t a lot of games left. If we want to continue fighting for the playoffs, we need each of these games, especially at home,” Milan’s No.33 superstar continued.
“At the end, especially if you lose, it’s the moment to step up. As we didn’t win the cup in Italy, we knew it was important to win at home. We had good support from the crowd tonight, so at this moment of the season, each game matters. One by one, we believe we can do much more than what we are showing right now. We are trying to have a special end of the season,” Mirotic finally concluded.
“I’m happy those two went in”
On his side, Shavon Shields was also important in giving his team the final 86-80 victory. “It was a team effort, we got seven big games left now. We are happy to get this first one done after the break and make a playoffs push,” the American-Da,nish forward touched on.
“For some reason, I’ve had troubles all year in EuroLeague shooting free throws. I’m happy those two went in, if not, it would have been a long night for me,” he also commented on a crucial trip to the line.
Ultimately, also thanks to him being cold with back-to-back free throws with less than one minute to play after shooting 0/3 at the line, Ettore Messina’s team won. “It was huge, to come out and start this last little run the right way. Hopefully, we can keep building off this,” Shields added.
Speaking about the Italian coach, he said his team’s performance “was another great effort in a great EuroLeague game against a very strong opponent, a Final Four team.”
“When we have flow and with very good moments, we are a very good team, fun to watch. It’s a game of runs; when the opponent makes a run, we have to stay calm and not force the first shots. [My players] will do it, eventually,” he added.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague