By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Visiting Antares on Tuesday, AS Monaco extended the lead in France’s Betclic Elite to two games over second-placed Paris.
Dropping 16 points with 6/12 field goals, Mike James was the top scorer in the win, 95-84, versus Le Mans in the Regular Season Round 13 fixture. Tucking in four three-pointers, Matthew Strazel ended up with 14 points. Elie Okobo and Donta Hall chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively. The defending champions in France ruled out Jordan Loyd (back) alongside Donatas Motiejunas and unregistered Kemba Walker.
The team coached by Sasa Obradovic went up to 12-1 and forced the hosts to 6-7. DeVante’ Jones posted a 20-point, 12-assist double-double in the losing effort for the Basketball Champions League outfit.
Sitting third in the standings, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne defeated ADA Blois, 85-77, in a Round 17 contest and improved to 10-4. Scoring 20 points, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot matched a season-high. He threw in nine assists, six rebounds, and one steal over 31 minutes. Joffrey Lauvergne followed with 16 points.
Team captain Charles Kahudi was excused for the evening after welcoming a baby boy to his family in the morning. Experienced point guard Nando de Colo was also out of the lineup. He has been dealing with a right thigh injury over the last two weeks.
In a quick turnaround to Round 11 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, Monaco welcomes Olympiacos at Salle Gaston Médecin on Thursday, and ASVEL visits FC Barcelona on Friday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net