The 21-kilo solid gold trophy was reaching out to them. Enthroned in the middle of a packed Gaston-Médecin room. 3,000 Monegasque supporters gathered to carry the Rock to Olympus. But Sasa Obradovic’s team never lived up to the event and logically lost in this disappointing match 4. Asvel won 85 – 68 (22 – 9 / 19 – 19 / 22 – 11 / 22 – 29) and offered a final at home on Saturday. As in 2019, a bad memory…
Monaco never in tune
Very shy start to the match by the Roca team, quickly trailing 0-7 before Mike James’ first basket to open the Monegasque counter after almost 3’30 of play. Not in the rhythm, Monaco made a series of bad choices in attack and made punish behind 2-12, then 6-20. The pivot Donatas Motiejunas illustrates this lack of success and misses free throws (0 out of 3). Asvel logically dominates this failed first quarter (9-22).
The second round resumes on the same basis. Monegasques give the impression of walking on eggshells. Not sharp offensively, as if they fear ball losses and opposing counterattacks (11-27). Then Paris Lee passes a first long distance basket to restore the current. Imitated by Dwayne Bacon. And Monaco is back in the game. Mike James treats. Bacon continues. The Gaston-Médecin room vibrates and the score tightens (23-30). After this 9-0 conceded, Asvel reacted thanks in particular to two three-point baskets from Jones and went to +13 at halftime (28-41).
Asvel will play the title at home
The break does not change the physiognomy of the match. Asvel unrolls and leads by 19 points after six minutes in this third quarter (33-52). The danger comes from everywhere among the Rhodaniens while on the Monegasque side only James shows regularity. The visitors walk around and regain a 24-point lead at the end of this one-sided third quarter (39-63).
The last ten minutes are just a long tunnel to game five, despite the efforts of Mike James (30 points in total). See you Saturday at the Astroballe (8:30 p.m.), which will still be boiling hot to offer the title of champion of France. The 21st for Asvel or the 1st for the Roca Team, who could long regret this failed evening.