By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Overcoming a sluggish start and Victor Wembanyama, AS Monaco logged a 2-0 lead in France’s Betclic Elite LNB Pro A Finals.
La Roca Team gained separation in the fourth quarter for the win, 95-88, in Salle Gaston Medecin Monday.
Wembanyama, 19, was slowed down by foul trouble in Game 2 of the best-of-five series. Limited to 30 minutes, he poured 17 points with 7/13 from the field. Stuffing the stat sheet with seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals, an improved performance compared to Game 1. The Mets avoided a second straight blowout loss but ran out of gas in the fourth quarter.
The team coached by Sasa Obradovic fell into a double-digit hole in the first quarter but led by one point at the break. Jordan Loyd packing 23 points to go with six assists, three rebounds, and two steals paved the way. Chima Moneke and Jaron Blossomgame were left out of the lineup due to squad restrictions on foreign players.
The lock for the top pick of the 2023 NBA draft, heading to the San Antonio Spurs, will enjoy homecourt advantage as his side switches to Stade Roland Garros for Game 3 coming up Thursday. A potential win would force Game 4 in the same famous venue. Game 5, if necessary, would decide the championship in Monaco with Game 5 next Tuesday, 20 June.
French Federation of Basketball president Jean-Pierre Siutat and Prince Albert of Monaco were both in attendance for Game 3.
Photo Credit: Getty Images