Incredible 20-1 run propels Monaco past Milan, getting close to playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Giuseppe Cottini/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Giuseppe Cottini/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

AS Monaco (14-13) secured their fourth straight victory at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, upsetting the hosts, AX Armani Exchange Milan (18-9) 72-63 (16-17, 15-20, 20-6, 21-20), taking a big step towards securing a historic playoff berth.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Donta Hall Points 16 Accuracy 6-6 Rebounds 8 Assists 0

After an abysmal third period, Milan cut their deficit to five after Luigi Datome's 3-pointer (51-56). Mike James restored a double-digit lead for Monaco (64-54) and even though Shavon Shields cut it to six again (58-64), Monaco held on for a nine-point victory.

Mike James and Donta Hall led Monaco tonight. James finished with 19 points (5/8 2PT, 2/9 3PT, 3/3 FT), 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 turnover, and 24 PIR. Hall didn't miss a shot, adding 16 points (6/6 2PT, 4/4 FT), 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and 27 PIR.

"We've been fighting for the playoffs for about three months," James said. "We gotta keep the same energy. In the second half, we really picked it up and played good and came out with the win."

Shavon Shields led Milan with 22 points (5/8 2PT, 4/8 3PT), 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 26 PIR.

"The defense is key," Sasa Obradovic said post-game. "It was really an unbelievable presentation from my team. We did a great job in defense and one more time I'm extremely happy. I don’t know if this is the final step to the playoffs but I think we definitely deserve it."

Milan kicked the game off with a quick 16-9 start, but Mike James and company cut Monaco's deficit to a single point after one (16-17).

The hosts mounted a 9-0 run at the start of the second, increasing their lead to double digits (28-18), but Monaco were able to come within six going into halftime (31-37).

However, things went South for Milan in the third period, as Monaco went on an unbelievable 20-1 run, led by Paris Lee and Dwayne Bacon. Milan went scoreless for five minutes, only recording six points in the period and going down by eight going into the fourth (43-51).

Monaco: Mike James 19 (7 AST), Donta Hall 16 (8 REB), Paris Lee 10, Dwayne Bacon 8, Donatas Motiejunas 6, Alpha Diallo 6 (8 REB).

Milan: Shavon Shields 22 (5 AST), Kyle Hines 8 (6 REB), Ben Bentil 8, Luigi Datome 6.

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