Euroleague: Diallo and Monaco overcome Asvel

Monaco, thanks in particular to Alpha Diallo (21 points), decisive, beat Asvel (80-70), Friday evening in its Gaston-Médecin room, during the French-speaking shock of the 7th day of the Euroleague, and continues its comeback, with this fifth consecutive victory. Sasa Obradovic's men are now in fourth place in the standings, behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​in the company of a group of serious candidates for qualification for the play-offs (Fenerbahçe, Bologna and Valencia) who like them have five success in seven matches. They can claim to continue their winning streak on November 14 against Efes Istanbul at home.

Asvel, on the other hand, plunges back to last place in the competition. But, after their victory in Kaunas on the previous day, Gianmarco Pozzecco's men will have the opportunity to bounce back in Berlin on November 15.

The Italian coach had decided to rely on the size and power of Joffrey Lauvergne, but also that of Thimothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (10 points in the first quarter with 100% success), to destabilize the Monegasques. It worked. Under the eyes of their president Tony Parker, the Asvel players led by eleven points when Charles Kahudi scored a long-range basket (12-23, 9th). In difficulty with opposing attacks, Monaco then suffered from a lack of offensive skill behind the arc (0/4 for Jordan Loyd) and in the racket (0/4 for Donatas Motiejunas).

But the Roca Team was built to weather storms. So, even if the five minutes played by Kemba Walker were bad (0 points), Obradovic was able to rely on Elie Okobo and Donta Hall until the break. The guard scored eleven points in the first period. The American pivot caused four fouls and hurt his Rhone counterparts. Then, Alpha Diallo set off. Thanks to two award-winning shots, he allowed Monaco to take the lead (36-34, 18th), then five points ahead (39-34, 19th), before stabilizing its lead at half-time (41- 37).

However, nothing was easy for the Monegasques of Mike James (15 pts), because Asvel proved its revival during a very consistent third quarter, to the point of starting the final straight with a new advantage (57-61, 30th). It was then that Diallo distinguished himself again, with three new three-point baskets, including two consecutive (64-63, 33rd) and a last one which locked the gap (74-68, 39th), to ensure the victory.