OT thriller in Kaunas: James sets new career-high as Monaco edge out Zalgiris / News - Basketnews.com

Lithuanian side Zalgiris Kaunas (3-12) and AS Monaco (6-9) put up a show in Kaunas as the French side got the win in the overtime 107-98 (22-21, 26-22, 13-27, 34-25, 12-3)

Photo gallery

In the overtime, Monaco started on a high note, applying great defense and building a six-point lead with baskets from Rob Gray, Dwayne Bacon, and Will Thomas (101-95).

In the final minute, Monaco consolidated their lead and took the win home.

Mike James was the top scorer of Monaco with 20 points (6/11 2PT, 1/4 3PT, 5/6 FT), 14 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, and 31 PIR.

With just one second remaining, Edgaras Ulanovas scored a key basket after the miss from Lukas Lekavicius to tie the game and send everything to the overtime (95-95).

With just 12 seconds left on the clock, Tyler Cavanaugh was called for a foul and sent Will Thomas to the free-throw line.

Coach Jure Zdovc also got a technical foul for complaining. Gray missed the technical free-throw but Will Thomas scored both his free-throws to give Monaco a three-point lead (94-91).

Zalgiris cut down Monaco's lead to just two points (90-88). With 33 seconds left on the clock, Tyler Cavanaugh scored an important three-pointer to keep Zalgiris in the game with just a one-point deficit (92-91).

"I am very happy about the win," said Sasa Obradovic after his successful debut. "The way we won is secondary. Maybe I would have liked different basketball but we used our individual quality and used our advantages. I think we found good mismatches, which we attacked."

"I have certain complaints defensively, but a win is a win, no complaints. The team showed really good character. Especially after the fourth quarter, mentally it is hard to come back and play strong in overtime after allowing points [in the last second]. But we dominated in overtime and we deserved to win," he added.

Player of the Game EFF 31 Mike James Points 20 Accuracy 7-15 Rebounds 5 Assists 14

Monaco opened up the final quarter with a 9-2 run, cutting Zalgiris' lead to just two points (72-70), with 5 straight points from Mike James.

The American guard kept sharing the ball effectively, reaching his new career-high in assists with 13, as Monaco built a six-point lead (87-81) with four minutes remaining.

Zalgiris Kaunas started the second half in a great way, outscoring Monaco 13-5 in the first three minutes (56-53). The Lithuanian side kept shooting the ball really well from outside, especially with veteran Arturas Milaknis, they finished the quarter on a high note with a 9-point lead (70-61).

"You saw the game. No defense," Zdovc noted after the game. "We cannot say we did not try, but in some crucial moments, we did not react well. Also, when we had a 9-point lead, we lost it too quickly, too easy. We have a new game in two days. Congratulations to the opponent, and we move forward."

During the first half, Zalgiris Kaunas point guard Lukas Lekavicius reached a career milestone with 100 steals in EuroLeague and 500 assists.

Janis Strelnieks, instead, was the top scorer for Zalgiris Kaunas. He finished with 22 points (2/5 2PT, 5/7 3PT, 3/4 FT), 3 assists, 1 turnover, and 21 PIR.

Zalgiris Kaunas: Janis Strelnieks 22, Arturas Milaknis 19, Josh Nebo 14 (9 REB), Lukas Lekavicius 13 (6 AST).

AS Monaco: Mike James 20 (14 AST), Dwayne Bacon 19, Alpha Diallo 13, Rob Gray 12, Will Thomas 12, Yakuba Ouattara 11.

Highlights

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.