Home advantage was not enough for AS Monaco Basket. The Roca Team players lost heavily and logically against Maccabi Tel Aviv (67-79) for this first match of the Euroleague quarter-finals.
However at home, Monaco did not know how to put on a show in a room largely won over to the cause of the visitors, who kept singing throughout the match. A pleasant start to the match but two very clumsy teams. Monaco dominates but does not manage to materialize and Tel Aviv is content to be spicy in counter-attack. ASM is only two points behind after ten minutes of play (16-18).
A second quarter like the first. Monaco still dominates the debates but still does not find its address. Maccabi kept the lead but failed to widen the gap. A second quarter, however, much more choppy, with many hesitations from the referee, which somewhat spoiled the game. Almost half an hour to complete these ten minutes.
Monaco is only led by three points at the break (33-36) and we say that the locals then have the cards in hand to regain the advantage. It was without counting on starving visitors with crazy address, who slammed an 11-3 in four minutes of play after halftime. The gap is made and Monaco will never return during this meeting. For its part, Maccabi will be lethal under the basket and very aggressive in defense, even if it means causing mistakes. Not a problem since Monaco finished the match with only 75% free throw success. The Israelis lead 60-50 going into the final quarter.
The last hopes of Monaco will quickly fly away since the players of the Roca Team concede a 4-0 in 56 seconds, synonymous with -14. A last quarter removed and without real stake. Note the excellent performance of Wade Baldwin, author of 20 points, six rebounds and six assists, who led his team or almost alone. Opposite, the shipwreck was above all collective. Alpha Diallo (15 points, six assists) and Mike James (15 points, five assists, six rebounds) stand out somewhat. Despite his 12 points, Elie Okobo was too discreet and not very influential (4/13 shooting).
Monaco therefore logically lost 67-79 for this first match of the quarter-finals of the Euroleague. Revenge this Thursday at 8:15 p.m.