A festive atmosphere reigned at Gaston Médecin on Monday evening for the last game of the year at home. Led by a brilliant Norris Cole (22 points), the Roca Team defeated Bourg (94-89) in an intense match. The other good news of the evening: the first defeat of ASVEL of the season which allows Monaco to come back to within one win of the head of the table. Next January 5th, the match against the leader promises to be a good one.
An inspired adversary, beautiful baskets and, in the end, another win for ASM: the evening before Christmas was perfect at Gaston Médecin. Nothing was easy last night at home and it took the genius of Norris Cole, a sharpshooter from behind the 3-point line, to find the flaw in the JL Bourg team who looked good, in the image of the interior Jackie Carmichael (18 pts).
JJ O’Brien is back
In the stands, the driver Charles Leclerc, author of a magnificent season for his first year with the Scuderia, who much enjoyed the show. And in particular the talent of Dee Bost (16 pts, 6 assists). For his part, JJ O’Brien returned after several weeks of absence. Good news a few days before the shock against ASVEL. The leader lost last night, which suggests a clash of titans on January 5th. “I’m not thinking about ASVEL (January 5). I’m looking ahead to Cholet on Friday, a team that deserves our respect for the way they play,” said Sasa Obradovic, Roca Team coach. We half believe him…
*Article originally published in the French edition of the Monaco Tribune.