While ASVEL had to roll up their sleeves at the end of the match to win against Strasbourg, Monaco took the measure of Nanterre to consolidate its place as leader of Betclic Elite.
Monaco did not allow doubt to settle. Three weeks after the setback conceded in Bourg-en-Bresse and while the “Roca Team” failed in the quarter-finals of the Leaders Cup against this same opponent, Sasa Obradovic’s players returned to winning ways on the domestic scene when they received Nanterre. While the first quarter saw the two formations respond and neutralize each other, the Monegasques managed to make the difference in the ten minutes leading up to half-time. Yoan Makoundou’s teammates (24 points, 9 rebounds) were able to exceed the ten-point lead, margin on which the break was reached.
Back on the floor of the Salle Gaston-Médecin, if Monaco initially pushed the Ile-de-France residents to 17 units, Keith Hornsby (26 points) and his teammates had not said their last word. After a 7-0 to return to ten lengths, they fell a few moments below this bar. But, with an eleven-point lead at the start of the last quarter, Monaco was in a good position to win. Last ten minutes which allowed the “Roca Team” to put an end to the suspense. With a success of 21 lengths (108-87), Monaco pushes back Boulogne-Levallois, who will travel this Tuesday to Pau-Lacq-Orthez, but also Cholet and Dijon, victorious this weekend. Nanterre, beaten for the fourth time in the last five games, remains close to the red zone.
💪 The #RocaTeam consolidates its leading position in #BetclicELITE 🆚 @Nanterre92 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6QkpKoFqOc
— AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) March 5, 2023
ASVEL hardly victorious at home
ASVEL, for its part, came out of two frustrating but promising defeats in the Euroleague against Anadolu Efes Istanbul then Real Madrid when they received Strasbourg at the Astroballe. If the Alsatians got off to a good start, the Villeurbannais were able to respond with a 13-2 to widen the first significant gap of the match. The players of TJ Parker finally turned in the lead by four points at the end of the first quarter. Without managing to come off the scoreboard, the teammates of Nando de Colo (16 points) and Retin Obasohan (16 points, 5 rebounds), remained in front throughout the ten minutes leading up to halftime.
ASVEL was thus able to return to the locker room with a margin established at seven units. But, when it resumed, the Villeurbannais public was cooled. Indeed, Strasbourg started the third quarter on a 12-2 which allowed the teammates of Bodian Massa (15 points, 7 rebounds) and Marcus Keene (15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) to go ahead in the score for do not let go before the start of the last ten minutes. After taking control, ASVEL trembled before concluding strong. An 8-0 in the last moments allows the Rhone club to win (78-72) and return to Le Mans, surprised in Fos-sur-Mer this Friday. Beaten for the third time in a row, Strasbourg will have to react to believe in the final phase.
