Match 2 will still be played at the Astroballe on Friday (8:30 p.m.), before rounds 3 and 4 (the latter if necessary) in the Principality.
Second in the regular season behind Asvel but quarter-finalists in the Euroleague, beaten by Olympiakos Piraeus, the Roca Team almost always led the race in this meeting during which the opposition between the Villeurbannais Elie Okobo and the Monegasque Mike James, decisive in the play-offs, was eagerly awaited.
And the two men had an equal influence on their team (17 points each).
But in Monaco, Alpha Diallo (16 pts), Dwayne Bacon (13 pts) and Will Thomas (12 pts) were also decisive in the victory of ASM, while in Villeurbanne David Lighty (13 pts), Chris Jones (12 pts), injured at the end of the game, or William Howard (10 pts) allowed the Villeurbannais to stay in the game.
The princely club made a difference in the first quarter won 29-17 before leading at half-time 49-36.
Asvel had reacted in the second quarter, despite everything again lost by the Rhodaniens (20-19).
This difference, over the first ten minutes of play, was made in particular on outside shots with 71% success for Monaco against 33% for Villeurbanne who was also outclassed on the rebound (13-3).
Throughout the game, ASM confirmed this domination on three-point shots (48.39% against 42.11%), but also on the rebound (41-27).
Asvel, superior in free throws (90.91% against 61.9%) confirmed their reaction in the third quarter, winning 18-16, but the Monegasques, who were then leading 65-54, maintained their hold on the game from the start of the last quarter, now between seven and fifteen points ahead.
By Friday, we will have to see what the recovery capacity of the two teams will have been after playing in intense heat.
© 2022 AFP