Mike James chose aggressiveness over passiveness and it worked / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

AS Monaco delivered an offensive clinic in Game 2 at Peace and Friendship Stadium.

Player of the Game EFF 23 Danilo Andjusic Points 19 Accuracy 5-7 Rebounds 5 Assists 1

They swept the hosts Olympiacos Piraeus, 96-72, showing their true offensive potential and stealing the home-court advantage.

Monaco went on a massive 20-0 run in the second quarter, which marked the 2nd-highest spurt this season. Moreover, with 4:22 remaining in the third quarter, Mike James-led Monaco surpassed their Game 1 points tally (54).

Like the whole team, James made a huge leap in this game.

He had 0 points after the first period, 2 points at halftime but ended up with 23 points (3/7 2PT, 5/8 3PT, 2/2 FT), 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, and 21 PIR.

"I just stayed aggressive. I think in the first game, I was a little passive. I did not really attack as much as I wanted to. So, in this game, I wanted to make sure that I came out aggressive and insert myself a little more," the 31-year-old commented post-game.

According to James, aggressiveness does not equal shooting. It is more about the penetrations and getting inside.

"Being aggressive does not always mean shooting, especially since I know they're keying on me a lot. I tried to get into the paint and make solid decisions."

Monaco's star also believes it's going to be a long way to the next stage for both teams.

"It's going to be a long series. Olympiacos are a good team, they are going to fight. We just need to keep going," he finished.

The series is tied 1-1 while the other two games are projected at Salle Gaston Medecin next week.

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