By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Valencia Basket versus Monaco promised to be one of the best games of Round 21, and the clash between two teams near the top of the standings did not disappoint.
In the end, it was the visiting side that claimed victory.
Monaco grabbed the 92-101 win, a final score that allows Spanoulis’ team to improve to a 14-7 record, the same as the team coached by Pedro Martínez, for a tie in the second spot of the standings, only behind Hapoel Tel Aviv (14-6).
Alpha Diallo led the visitors in scoring with 17 points in a well-balanced offensive effort. Jaron Blossomgame (14), Kevarrius Hayes (15), Nemanja Nedovic (16), Nikola Mirotic (13), and Mike James (14) also finished scoring in double digits.
Kameron Taylor (18 points) and Darius Thompson (17 points) were the leading scorers for the home side.
As the final score indicates, the game started at a fast-paced, high-scoring tempo from the opening tip.
Neither team held back, and the exchange of baskets was constant, with the first half ending with Monaco up by 11 (53-42).
Valencia closed the gap by the end of the third quarter (76-70), but a strong scoring run by Nedovic restored Monaco’s double-digit lead, allowing them to seal the win with relative comfort.