If Game 1 between Olympiacos Piraeus and AS Monaco turned out to be a defensive clinic for the hosts, Game 2 was nothing short of an offensive feast for the guests.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
23
|
| Danilo Andjusic | |
| Points | 19 |
| Accuracy | 5-7 |
| Rebounds | 5 |
| Assists | 1 |
EuroLeague's most effective offense, which was held down to only 54 points on Wednesday night, bounced back, stopped at 96 points, and handed the Greeks their heaviest-ever loss at their home court in the EuroLeague playoffs.
Monaco were down 6-16 with roughly two minutes left in the first quarter, and the start in Game 2 prepared everyone for a repetition of the first contest. But the team from the Principality thought otherwise. Thanks to a huge 20-0 run in the second quarter, the EuroLeague newcomers laid down the foundation for an unprecedented triumph.
"We learned a lot from the first game, adjusted to the atmosphere, and found good solutions on offense," Sasa Obradovic stressed in the postgame presser.
"We also found a good defensive rhythm, doing a great job on their creators."
In fact, Monaco forced the Reds to 20 turnovers, 5 of which came during the guests' 20-0 run.
"It was a great teamwork," Obradovic went on to say.
"Everyone's talking about Mike James, but all the others around him did great. It's just one game. We know that only one team had won here (Crvena Zvezda), and we have to be mentally prepared for the next game, which might be the most crucial of all."
Everyone chipped in, except Brock Motum and Jerry Boutsiele, who only got some garbage-time minutes. James, who finished the first quarter scoreless and the first half with two points, went off in the second part, producing 23 overall.
"It's always great to have Mike," Obradovic said, "But in the game in Monaco, we had the same result in the second quarter. The Guys were aggressive on defense, and we got open looks offensively. Today, Danilo Andjusic gave us big help, Will Thomas organized us defensively and was vocal in the locker room. That's why we had a good result."
For the record, Andjusic also scored the overwhelming majority of his points in the second half (13 out of 19). Thomas logged 9 points, 3 rebounds, and as many assists.
But it was Mike James who stole the show, despite his sluggish start. In Game 1, Monaco's undisputed leader left with 10 points on 3/9 shooting from the field, 4 assists, and 4 turnovers, beaten by Thomas Walkup's hustle.
This time, things were completely different after the break.
"Don't argue with Mike, he's going to find the way," Obradovic said without concealing a smirk.
"It was important for him to understand that the team was breathing with him being on the court. Big players are always waiting for this. When the game went to him, he was helpful, as it has been the case many times in the season."
James picked up where Dwayne Bacon had left off in the first half. The former Charlotte Hornets swingman had taken only four shots in the first game.
"It was crucial for him not to jump from one possession to the other," Obradovic commented.
"We had the outside threat, but he can do many things in isolation, and he helped us a lot."
That wasn't the first time that Monaco bounced back from a double-digit deficit. They did the same against Zvezda in Belgrade. Obradovic pointed out that his players showed great character.
"The game flow was like this. Olympiacos got confidence from the previous game, and we reacted to their good run. This season we've been down in many games on the road, but we found a way to turn the game our way. It's all about the approach and mental readiness."
The Serbian tactician has no doubt that the Reds can issue a response.
"We expect the same answer from them in Monaco," he said.
"It's not easy for Olympiacos to play two games with the same toughness. Game 3 will be important for both teams because they need the win, no matter what."
Asked whether he changed some things mentally or tactically, Obradovic said: "You can't change many things tactically in 48 hours. We were sloppy in the first game, which was normal in such an atmosphere. A lot of teams get lost here. But we were more ready to play physical in the second game."
