Monaco beats Vitoria and gets closer to the Euroleague play-offs

For his first match in Monaco, Vitoria was well received. The Monegasques, who saw their points acquired against Russian clubs evaporate this week, losing three places, had no room for error against the Spaniards, direct competitors for qualification. They ensured a third victory in the Euroleague, the fifth in six matches (78-68). A result which, combined with the defeat of Red Star Belgrade in Berlin (70-74), puts the Roca Team in an ideal situation with a view to qualifying for the play-offs. It would be a first since 2001 for a club in the French Championship, and would ensure an automatic ticket for Monegasques in the Euroleague next season. After an air gap in the first minutes (9-6, 9-14), Monaco shifted into high gear at the end of the second quarter to inflict a 7-2 on Vitoria in 1’16 and return to the locker room at the break with a ten-point lead (42-32), thanks in particular to an almost infallible skill at free throws (12/13 in the end). Milan and Alba Berlin to end the regular season Alpha Diallo then took over (7 points in 2′, 10 in total in 30′, 9 rebounds, 2 assists) helped by the collective strength of Monaco on the rebound and a few interceptions ( 6 in total and 11 ball losses for the Spaniards), to start the last ten minutes with a lead of twelve points. The Roca Team managed to maintain the gap to win with a 10-point lead, almost the same gap in favor of the Spaniards in the first leg (78-66). If the duo Alec Peters (15 points, 6/7 in the racket) – Jayson Granger (13 points, 3/7 from afar) made the Monegasques suffer, the Roca Team showed a solid collective, with four players at 10 points at least (16 for Will Thomas, 14 for Dwayne Bacon, 10 for Alpha Diallo and Donta Hall). There are two matches left in Monaco before the end of the regular season, in Milan (3rd) next Thursday, and against Alba Berlin (11th) on April 8.