Monaco beaten on the wire by Real Madrid in the clash of Euroleague
In contact in money-time, ASM suffered the brilliance of Madrid attackers and in particular Mario Hezonja (30 points, career record, 11 out of 17 in shooting including 6 out of 10 from three points), the Croatian rear, who crucified the Monegasque defense eight meters at the start of the last two minutes to take a five-point lead.
Despite everything, Monaco had a ball to equalize and push the club to ten C1 (record) at the end of the match still on the razor’s edge. But inexplicably, apart from fatigue and a lack of lucidity, Mike James (23 points, 7 assists) refused a wide open shot from long distance to shift Jaron Blossomgame, also open, thirty seconds from the gong. But the winger, surprised by this unexpected pass, totally missed receiving the ball and Madrid regained possession before securing his free throws in the final moments.
Big 3-point address for Real
Real therefore maintains its leading position after 23 days and wins ASM, which suffers its third defeat at home. The people of Madrid had the immense merit of compensating at long distance (16 out of 31) and on the rebound (11 offensive catches) a pivot position, one of their big strengths, completely out of the match since Walter Tavares and Vincent Poirier accumulated nine fouls, five points for only 18 minutes of play. The Cape Verdean pivot even sent a ball into touch after a big offensive rebound when he returned to play in the last minute.
Monaco had taken a seven-point lead in the third quarter going 13-1 over the two halves as Real lost seven balls on their first nine possessions after the break. But Madrid have a long, talented and experienced squad and have taken over the helm.
Hezonja but also Adam Hanga, author of two three-point baskets in the fourth quarter, when he had so far been 1 out of 11 for the season, put pressure on the Monegasques while Elie Okobo (16 points) was also stopped by personal fouls. Monaco nevertheless lived up to this shock at the top.
