By Javier Molero/ jmolero@eurohoops.net
These are not easy days in Monaco. After their EuroLeague elimination against Olympiacos (3-0), the French league leaders suffered a heavy defeat at home (95-123). Monaco played the match with nine players, and only five of them were from the first team.
Paris Basketball dominated Monaco from the very first minute. Yakuba Ouatara (19 p.), and Sebastián Herrera (19 p.) were the top scorers. Nadir Hifi only got 10.
For Monaco, Matthew Strazel had a superb game with 34 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win at home. Mike James, Elie Okobo, Alpha Diallo, Daniel Theis, and Nikola Mirotic did not play, with Okobo reportedly protesting for unpaid salaries.
Paris set the tone with a commanding 54-67 lead before halftime. Monaco’s defense allowed too many points. Monaco could do little in the second half. Strazel made some good baskets, but he wasn’t supported in a tough home defeat.
LNB Round 29 Results
Limoges – Boulazac Basket 80-72
Chalon – Le Portel 93-58
Gravelines – Nanterre 80-85
Dijon – JL Bourg 101-83
Saint-Quentin – Le Mans 85-88
ASVEL – Strasbourg 89-81
Cholet – Nancy 94-91
AS Monaco – Paris Basketball 95-123
Standings: Monaco 22-6, Nanterre 21-8, Paris Basketball 21-8, ASVEL-Villeurbanne 20-9…
Make