This away victory allows TJ Parker's men to return to the European Top 8, with seven wins and five losses.
On the other hand, the "Roca Team" connects a third consecutive defeat and moves away from it.
The referees took long minutes to validate the field goal scored by Howard.
While Paris Lee thought he had made a final interception, Howard, the game's leading scorer with 23 points, offered himself a dream basket from the midfielder.
But his team, which led by eight points at the break (40-48) could just as well have lost, so much, it squandered its lead in the second half.
Because after the break, under the impetus of a Mike James finally at the level (9 points in the 3rd quarter), of a Paris Lee on fire (19 points) and of a recovered defense, the Monegasques returned tied at the end of the 3rd quarter (62-62).
In his usual style, the Lithuanian Donatas Motiejunas even gave the advantage to his family (64-62, 32nd) from the start of the last quarter, which was played at loggerheads.
Monaco even led 81-78 (39th).
But it was not enough.
Lee missed a crucial free throw, James was injured.
And Howard let loose ...
After a start to the match dominated by Asvel, adroit like the first two points of captain Charles Kahudi, and good in defense (0-8, 4th), after a three-point basket from Elie Okobo (4- 13, 9th), the ASM has finally entered its match.
The time out requested by Zvezdan Mitrovic has had its effect.
Monaco began to defend more aggressively.
Lee's three points (9-15, 7th) and the dunk from powerful Donta Hall (13-15, 8th) led to the equalizer.
From then on, the mano a mano could begin: 22-21 for Asvel at the end of the first quarter, 29-28 for Monaco in the 15th minute, 35-35 in the 18th.
Until an exceptional end to the match for Asvel and cruel for Monaco.
© 2021 AFP