Monaco Edges ASVEL 81-76 in Hard-Fought EuroLeague Battle

Monaco Secures Crucial Victory in Tight Contest

AS Monaco claimed a vital 81-76 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 36 of the EuroLeague season at the Salle Gaston Medecin. The home side controlled much of the contest, building leads throughout the first three quarters before holding off a spirited fourth-quarter comeback attempt from the visitors. The win was crucial for Monaco's playoff positioning, while ASVEL's struggles continued with their sixth consecutive defeat.

Monaco established their dominance early, taking a 22-21 lead after the first quarter. Matthew Strazel set the tone for the home side with eight points in the opening period, connecting on both of his three-point attempts. The young French guard would finish with a team-high 22 points on exceptional 7-of-9 shooting from the field, including a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. His efficiency rating of 31 was the highest of any player on the court, demonstrating his complete control of the offensive end.

Second Quarter Surge Gives Monaco Control

The second quarter proved decisive as Monaco extended their advantage to 46-36 by halftime. Elie Okobo came alive during this period, orchestrating the offense with precision passing and timely scoring. The French point guard would finish with 16 points and a game-high eight assists, plus 10 rebounds for a near triple-double performance. His ability to break down ASVEL's defense and create opportunities for teammates was instrumental in building Monaco's cushion.

ASVEL struggled to find offensive rhythm in the second period, managing just 15 points. Shaquille Harrison provided most of the visitors' scoring punch, knocking down three three-pointers in the first half. The American guard would finish with 22 points, connecting on an impressive 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. However, his individual brilliance wasn't enough to overcome ASVEL's collective offensive struggles.

Monaco Maintains Distance Despite ASVEL Pressure

The third quarter saw Monaco maintain their double-digit advantage for stretches, leading by as many as 14 points. AS Monaco held a 64-54 lead heading into the final period, with Strazel continuing his efficient scoring and Okobo controlling the tempo. Nikola Mirotic provided valuable contributions off the bench, adding 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting. The Spanish forward also drew five fouls, getting to the free-throw line six times and converting five attempts.

For LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Braian Angola emerged as their most consistent offensive threat. The Colombian wing poured in 26 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three-point range. Angola also contributed five assists and displayed clutch shooting throughout the contest. His efficiency rating of 29 was second only to Strazel among all players, but his efforts came in a losing cause.

Tense Fourth Quarter Drama

The final period saw ASVEL mount a serious challenge to Monaco's lead. Angola caught fire from deep, hitting crucial three-pointers that kept the visitors within striking distance. Edwin Jackson added 11 points for ASVEL, including a key three-pointer in the fourth quarter that helped fuel the comeback attempt. The veteran guard's experience showed as he tried to orchestrate ASVEL's late surge.

Paul Eboua provided valuable energy for ASVEL with 11 points and seven rebounds, including three offensive boards. The Cameroonian forward hit a crucial three-pointer and fought hard on the glass, but Monaco's defense stiffened when it mattered most. Eboua went to the free-throw line frequently in the closing moments but converted just 2-of-4 attempts, leaving points on the table in a five-point game.

Defense Decides Close Contest

Monaco's defensive intensity in the clutch proved decisive. Kevarrius Hayes anchored the paint with three blocked shots, altering several other attempts. The American center also grabbed five rebounds and added nine points, though he struggled from the free-throw line with just 1-of-4 shooting. His presence deterred ASVEL from attacking the rim consistently in crucial possessions.

Alpha Diallo made his impact felt primarily on the defensive end, recording three steals and two blocks. Though he managed just four points on 1-of-9 shooting, his defensive contributions were vital in disrupting ASVEL's offensive flow. Diallo's ability to switch onto multiple positions and create turnovers gave Monaco extra possessions at critical junctures.

Bench Production Tilts the Balance

The battle of the benches slightly favored Monaco, with Okobo and Mirotic combining for 30 points off the pine. Jaron Blossomgame chipped in four points and five rebounds in extended minutes, providing solid two-way play. Monaco's second unit maintained the energy level and never allowed ASVEL to build sustained momentum.

ASVEL received limited bench production beyond Angola, who started. Zachary Seljaas went scoreless in over 20 minutes, missing all six of his field goal attempts. The lack of secondary scoring behind Angola and Harrison ultimately proved costly for the visitors, who needed more balanced offensive contributions to overcome Monaco's depth.

Free Throw Shooting and Turnover Battle

Monaco's superior free-throw shooting played a significant role in the outcome. The home side converted 19-of-22 from the charity stripe (86%), with Strazel's perfect 6-for-6 performance leading the way. ASVEL shot a respectable 13-of-15 (87%), but they simply didn't get to the line as frequently, reflecting Monaco's discipline in avoiding unnecessary fouls.

The turnover battle was relatively even, with both teams taking care of the basketball reasonably well. ASVEL committed 11 turnovers compared to Monaco's 10, but Monaco converted those mistakes into more points. The home side's transition defense limited ASVEL's fast-break opportunities, forcing them into contested half-court possessions.

Looking Ahead

The victory keeps Monaco firmly in the playoff race as the regular season winds down. Their balanced attack, featuring three players in double figures and strong contributions from multiple sources, demonstrates the depth that could serve them well in the postseason. Strazel's emergence as a reliable scoring option alongside established veterans provides coach Sasa Obradovic with valuable flexibility.

For ASVEL, the loss extends their difficult stretch and raises questions about their playoff prospects. Despite strong individual performances from Angola and Harrison, the team's inability to get consistent scoring from multiple players has plagued them during this losing streak. Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco must find ways to generate more balanced offensive production as ASVEL looks to right the ship in the final regular season games. The visitors showed fight in the fourth quarter, but too many missed opportunities earlier in the game proved insurmountable against a disciplined Monaco side.