With 13 wins and 13 losses, Sasa Obradovic's men temporarily rise to 8th place in the ranking in terms of the number of wins and remain in the running to qualify for the play-offs at the end of the regular season.
For this, the Monegasques, who no longer have much room for maneuver, will have to beat Fenerbahçe Istanbul on Friday in their Gaston-Médecin room.
The Turks are 9th in the number of victories, with one less success than the Monegasques, but have a better win/match ratio (55% against 50%).
After leading by 15 points against Kazan (68-53, 34th), the "Roca Team" nevertheless came close to disaster, as against Kaunas, during the previous day (defeat 83-82).
Kazan indeed returned to 76-76 with 30 seconds remaining in the game.
It was then that Mike James, author of a very good game (25 points, 7 assists), drew one of his three-point baskets of which he has the secret, and offered the victory to his people.
After an alert and attacking first quarter (22-19), during which Donta Hall had a great time with two powerful dunks at the end of the period, the end of the first period was much more difficult.
If Kazan came back up (22-22, 14th), the Monegasques, like an electric Hall, held their own in the racket, despite the absence of Dwayne Bacon, with the flu.
Under the impetus of Mike James and despite a powerful Mario Hezonja opposite (20 points), Monaco gradually widened the gap until the break (44-36).
However, even led by 13 points (53-40, 26th), Kazan did not give up.
The more skilful Russians inflicted a 15-8 on their opponents to return to -6 (61-55) before the last quarter.
The scenario of the last period was therefore incredible.
But, despite the return of Kazan and the address of the American OJ Mayo (15 points), James and Monaco got away with it and can still dream.
© 2022 AFP