Mike James comes up clutch to help Monaco get overtime payback on Strasbourg / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Euroleague Basketball via GettyImages Credit Euroleague Basketball via GettyImages

Following their 87-100 loss in Game 1 of the LNB quarter-finals, AS Monaco had their back against the wall when they were hosted by SIG Strasbourg.

2-pointers this season

54%22,0Points made:22,0Accuracy:54,5%Place in standings:1Record max:32Record min:15Most made 2FGs:Donatas MotiejūnasTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The team coached by Sasa Obradovic needed 45 minutes and Mike James to score 13 of his total 30 points in the extra time, including the game-winner, to down the 2005 champs by 97-95 and get another chance.

Will Thomas added 19 points and Alpha Diallo another 17 (mainly in the first half) for Monaco who had to hit several big shots to stay in contention. For Strasbourg, John Roberson had another great game with 25 points, including a personal nine-point streak that allowed the hosts to even the contest in overtime before James took over.

The two teams will square off in a decisive Game 3 on Monday, at the Gaston-Medecin in Monaco.

The contest was pretty close for the most part, as the two teams went hand-in-hand until the end. Despite Mike James' return, Monaco weren't able to score in bunches, as their star player went 3/11 from the field in the first 30 minutes. Alpha Diallo was once again a constant offensive threat, counterbalancing the hosts' effectiveness (9/20) from downtown.

Will Thomas and Paris Lee helped Monaco get the upper hand (67-64) in the last quarter, but Strasbourg fought back into the game with three straight baskets from Ike Udanoh and Matt Mitchell.

With 47 seconds left on the game clock, Mike James stole the ball from John Roberson and scored a lay-up, while drawing a foul. The former NBA guard tied the game at 76, but Strasbourg had 24 of the remaining 36 seconds at their disposal. Mitchell made a jump-shot, but Will Thomas responded with a dunk.

The game went to overtime, where Mike James took things into his own hands. The 32-year-old guard hist three daggers in less than two minutes to give Monaco a crucial nine-point lead (89-80) and the chance to avoid an early elimination.

However, the game was far from over, although the Monegasques were up 93-81 and less than two minutes left. John Roberson authored 9 straight points, bringing his side really close again (92-94). Following Will Thomas' free-throws, Amine Noua tied it at 95. But Mike James came up big-time, hitting the winner and beating the clock.

Earlier today, SIG Strasbourg announced that Kameron Taylor (1.98 m, 27 years old) will not be able to play again this season. The player who was out on loan from Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered a sprained knee during a collision he had with Will Thomas on Wednesday night. Over 20 LNB games this season, Kam Taylor averaged 11.9 points on 44.2% shooting, 4.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 26 minutes.

SIG Strasbourg: John Roberson 25 (4/9 FG, 13/14 FT, 4 AST), Amine Noua 17 (6/12 FG), Matt Mitchell 12 (4/6 FG, 3/4 FT), Yannis Morin 11, Ike Udanoh 10.

AS Monaco: Mike James 30 (10/21 FG, 7/12 FT, 6 AST, 3 ST, 5 TO), Will Thomas 19 (8/13 FG, 2/2 FT), Alpha Diallo 17 (4/5 FG, 7/12 FT, 4 REB), Donatas Motiejunas 10 (5 REB, 5 AST).

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