Backed by Mike James' 27 points, powerful Monaco ease past Anadolu Efes / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Alfonso Cannavacciuolo/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Alfonso Cannavacciuolo/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

AS Monaco (11-13) cruised past Anadolu Efes Istanbul (12-10) 102-80 (25-19, 24-19, 26-18, 27-24) at home to continue the hunt of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoffs' spot.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Mike James Points 27 Accuracy 7-12 Rebounds 5 Assists 6

Moreover, Roca Team gained a mutual advantage, winning the duel by 22 points. They lost in Istanbul by 21 (77-98).

Monaco had plus 6 (25-19) after the first quarter, as Sasa Obradovic's squad did not stop in the second. Balanced team effort-led Roca Team opened the second quarter with a 10-2 spurt and gained a 14-point lead (35-21).

Monaco maintained a double-digit advantage until the first half end (49-38). Donta Hall and Paris Lee contributed with their baskets at the end of the third quarter, while Monaco arranged a mini spurt (8-2) again. After it, the hosts were leading by 19 points (75-56).

In the last 10 minutes of the game, the reigning EuroLeague champions could not bring the intrigue back, while Monaco's lead reached the 20-point mark (83-61).

Mike James led the scoring race for Monaco, registering 27 points (4/7 2PT, 3/5 3PT, 10/12 FT), 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 7 drawn fouls, and 32 PIR.

"Normally, if we lost by a lot I would look up, just to know in my head [what was the point difference]. I didn't even think… it felt like we got beat by 40 the first time. So, I didn't even know the point difference until like 3 minutes left. We played well today. Just happy to get a win," James spoke post-game.

Alpha Diallo had 19 points (6/8 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 1/1 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, and a career-high 31 PIR.

"If somebody told me before the game that we will be attacking the 21-point loss from Istanbul I would have never believed it. But we did a great job - maybe the best game we played so far. I'm happy for the guys, happy for these people. Let's go, we're still dreaming of the top eight," Sasa Obradovic commented on a huge victory.

For the losing side, Vasilije Micic scored 25 points (5/7 2PT, 3/7 3PT, 6/7 FT), 1 rebound, 8 assists, 4 turnovers, 7 drawn fouls, and 24 PIR.

"Congratulations to them. They played an excellent game. We missed this match, so congratulations to Monaco," Ergin Ataman did not have much to say.

Monaco: Mike James 27 (5 REB, 6 AST), Alpha Diallo 19 (6 REB), Paris Lee 14, Donta Hall 11.

Anadolu Efes: Vasilije Micic 25 (8 AST), Rodrigue Beaubois 13, Bryant Dunston 12, Elijah Bryant 10.

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