By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Monaco and Barça have delivered one of last year’s playoff series to reach the Final Four, but this season the situation for both is very different, though with a similar ending.
Monaco secured a 93–86 victory over the Blaugrana, a win that leaves the team coached by Manuchar Markoishvili with a 21–16 record and with a spot in the play-in tournament.
Xavi Pascual’s side falls to 20–17, and they still need a win at home in the last round against Bayern Munich to lock their spot.
Elie Okobo and Mike James, with 16 points each, led the scoring for the home side, but Kevarrius Hayes was the X-factor, with 11 points—most of them coming in the final quarter.
Kevin Punter, with 27 points, was the game’s top scorer, well supported by Darío Brizuela and Will Clyburn, who added 13 points each.
As expected in this kind of matchup, the game was very evenly contested. Although Barça led during the first quarter (18–26), the home side responded to take the lead by halftime (46–44).
In the second half, the hosts led for most of the time, and the difference in free throws—26/29 for Monaco compared to just 10/12 for Barça—proved decisive.
In the final two minutes, Kevarrius Hayes stepped up in a big way, allowing the home team to secure the win without complications, despite Barcelona making it a five-point game (85-80).