The drought continues: Monaco hand Maccabi their 8th straight EuroLeague loss / News - Basketnews.com

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

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv's (7-11) losing streak at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague was extended to eight straight, after falling to AS Monaco (7-11) at their home floor 76-82(15-13, 18-22, 18-21, 25-26).

Player of the Game EFF 16 Mike James Points 12 Accuracy 5-11 Rebounds 2 Assists 13

Alpha Diallo gave Monaco their largest lead of the game at the start of the fourth (60-51). Scottie Wilbekin scored five quick points to bring Maccabi back within four (58-62). He then added four consecutive free throws, and Monaco's lead was down to one (66-67).

However, Dwayne Bacon responded with an and-one, Alpha Diallo added a 3-pointer, and the hosts regained a substantial advantage (73-66). Wilbekin's deep shot and free throws cut Monaco's lead to four (72-76), but that wasn't enough. Leo Westermann and Will Thomes iced the game at the charity stripe, helping Monaco to a six-point win.

Monaco had a narrow 9-8 lead after a 2-pointer by Mike James, but Maccabi took a two-point advantage after a low-scoring first quarter (15-13).

The teams went back and forth in the second period, with Maccabi securing a five-point lead after Derrick Williams' shot. However, Monaco responded with Leo Westermann hitting two consecutive 3-pointers to tie the game at 30. The hosts went into the break with a two-point lead (35-33).

Ante Zizic tied the game at 40, but Donatas Motiejunas scored five quick points to give Monaco a six-point lead (52-46). Jalen Reynolds finished the third period with a last-second dunk, cutting Maccabi's deficit to five (51-56).

Yakuba Ouattaramissed tonight's matchfor Monaco because he played in the French league All-Star game. Rob Gray and Jerry Boutsiele were also out of the lineup due to injuries. On the opposing side, James Nunnally did not play for Maccabi.

Maccabi Tel Aviv / Schedule

Zenit Saint Petersburg Maccabi Tel Aviv73-71 Monaco Basket Maccabi Tel Aviv82-76

Donatas Motiejunas and Alpha Diallo led Monaco in scoring. Motiejunas finished with 16 points (6/8 2PT, 1/2 3PT, 1/2 FT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, and 15 PIR. Diallo also had 16 (5/6 2PT, 1/3 3PT, 3/4 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 12 PIR.

Mike James was the most efficient player for the winners, though. He ended with a double-double: 12 points (3/6 2PT, 2/5 3PT), 13 assists, 2 rebounds, 4 turnovers, and 16 PIR. He was just one assist short of tying his career-high in assists.

"The defense is definitely better," Monaco's coach Sasha Obradovic said after the game. "You could see, the guys are really fighting and you could see the spirit of togetherness. I'm happy about this first. We needed one big win to get the confidence and I think that is exactly what happened. We'll see what the future brings."

Scottie Wilbekin was the leader for Maccabi, finishing the game with 31 points (5/10 2PT, 5/9 3PT, 6/6 FT), 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, and 31 PIR.

"I think in the second half our defense was not good and we didn't play like the first half, that's the reason why Monaco got the lead," Maccabi coach Sfairopoulos said post-game. "We had some chances to go back, some good offenses, one fast break that we missed. I think we could have done something better."

Monaco: Donatas Motiejunas 16, Alpha Diallo 16, Mike James 12 (13 AST), Dwayne Bacon 11, Leo Westermann 10, Will Thomas 7 (8 REB).

Maccabi: Scottie Wilbekin 31, Ante Zizic 10 (7 REB), Derrick Williams 9, Keenan Evans 8 (7 REB, 5 AST), Jalen Reynolds 7.

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