By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Building a double-digit lead in the first quarter, AS Monaco kept the pedal to the metal for an 88-59 victory versus Paris in Adidas Arena to go up 2-1 in the Finals of France’s Betclic Elite Playoffs on Sunday.
Paving the way for the team coached by Sasa Obradovic against the 2023-24 winners of the BKT EuroCup and France’s Leaders Cup, Elie Okobo piled up 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals over 27 minutes. Mike James scored 14 points. Jordan Loyd and Alpha Diallo added 12 more points apiece. The reigning Betclic Elite champions ruled out John Brown III (ribs) and unregistered Kemba Walker. Also, Donatas Motiejunas and Terry Tarpey stayed on the bench.
Struggling to stop Monaco in the paint, the hosts never recovered after the first quarter and instead allowed the deficit to near 30 points in the fourth period. Nadir Hifi finished with 15 points. Held to 2/10 from the field, T.J. Shorts II was limited to nine points in Game 3. Collin Malcolm (ankle) remained sidelined but may be back in Game 4 for the team coached by Tuomas Iisalo.
Staying in the capital of France for the fourth installment of a best-of-five series, a championship-clinching opportunity for La Roca Team follows on Wednesday. Game 5, if necessary, will be played in Salle Gaston Medecin on Friday.
Betclic Elite Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
AS Monaco – ESSM Le Portel 2-0 (85-78, 101-70)
Paris – Cholet 2-1 (81-91, 90-72, 74-62)
LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne – Saint-Quentin 2-0 (91-75, 92-89)
JL Bourg – Nanterre 92 2-1 (92-82, 84-90, 90-74)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
AS Monaco – JL Bourg 3-1 (85-72, 73-83, 85-73, 76-71)
Paris – LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 3-2 (94-81, 85-89, 77-86, 103-98, 98-92)
Finals (best-of-five)
AS Monaco – Paris 2-1 (90-80, 70-77, 88-59)
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net