AS Monaco revived by winning Friday on the floor of Zalgiris Kaunas 83-79 during the 13th day of the Euroleague and clings to its place in the Top 4 of the ranking. In Lithuania, the Roca Team won by showing itself to be solid and inspired, achieving its eighth victory for five losses in the competition. She is still in fourth place.
Two days after their frustrating defeat in the Partizan Belgrade arena (89-85), Sasa Obradovic’s players closed ranks and were able to rely on their star leader Mike James, author of a very great match (25 points , 8 rebounds). The American became the third highest scorer in Euroleague history on Friday, overtaking Spaniard Juan Carlos Navarro (4,152 pts) with a total now peaking at 4,171 pts.
He now remains in front of him the Frenchman from Asvel Nando De Colo and the Greek legend Vassilis Spanoulis and his 4,455 points. Conversely, ex-NBA star Kemba Walker is still not making his mark, with no points scored in seven minutes.
Mike James took his teammates in his wake, after an aggressive start to the match (39-29, 17th). But the Monegasques experienced a gap in the third quarter and allowed Kaunas to get back together before even going in front, thanks to a 22-11 in this third period (59-57 for Zalgiris, 30th). As is often the case, the Lithuanians caught fire behind the arc, leaving Monaco without solutions entering the last ten minutes.
But several big sequences in defense and the great response from the Rocher fireworks offered an end to the match to the advantage of the reigning French champions. Monaco will go to the Portel on Sunday in the Elite and will make a third consecutive trip to the European scene against Fenerbahce next Friday.
