Monaco back in the game, Strazel found his groove: « I tried to keep things simple »

Matthew Strazel caught fire, Roca Team stepped up, and Paris will have to fight until the end. By winning at home for the second consecutive time (80-74), AS Monaco has tied the Betclic ELITE playoff finals at 2-2. Led by their small-ball lineup and aggressive defense on T.J. Shorts and Nadir Hifi (7/25 combined shooting), the defending champions raised their physicality and intensity, exemplified by a decisive Strazel and a fighting team spirit. Game V, this Tuesday in Paris, promises to be explosive.

Monaco ties it up, Strazel steps up

After a quiet first half (4 points), Matthew Strazel emerged from his shell following a relatively difficult finals series until now. The former ASVEL point guard finished with 20 points and had a crucial impact in Monaco’s victory. « We tried to position Elie (Okobo) with the ball and him to spread the floor for spacing so they wouldn’t help. He found good shots, and he’s a very good three-point shooter with a high percentage. So we try to place him on the weak side (of the defense) to have options, » his coach Vassilis Spanoulis explained in the press conference. A successful strategy as the French international was able to regain his impact. He reflected on his difficult start to the finals:

« I think Paris did a good job defensively on me, forcing me to give the ball on short rolls or make extra passes. As a result, they managed to put me in doubt, making me hesitate, unsure when to play for myself or others. But I tried to simplify things today, to play to my strengths. And I knew that just one made shot would give me some confidence. That’s how I operate. Today things went my way more than in the first three (games). »

Strazel’s contribution was especially necessary since Mike James was sidelined for these playoffs, promoting him to the starting point guard position.

« Many people were skeptical, even on our side in Monaco. It’s normal because all year long, you rely on a key player who is exceptional, and during playoffs, he’s not there. So that’s why we work all year, so when opportunities arise, we can seize them. We managed to do it well against ASVEL. Here in the finals, we’ll forget the first two, first three games. As I said, all that matters is being ready to seize opportunities and win this series at all costs, whether it’s pretty or not. »

The Marne-la-Vallée native isn’t getting carried away after these two victories. « Sure, it’s good to have won these last two games, but it means nothing if we lose the fifth one. »

🔥🔥 @mtwbucket32 It’s HIM!!🔥🔥

🗑️ 20 pts
🙌 2 reb
🎁 2 ast
📊 17 eval#RocaTeam #DagheMunegu #FinalesBetclicELITE pic.twitter.com/so48cvwG7A

— AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) June 22, 2025

Defense rediscovered, intensity embraced

Moreover, the four-time French champion didn’t hesitate to highlight Monaco’s tactical evolution: the switch to small-ball from the second half of Game 3 changed the dynamic.

« We didn’t attack their weaker defenders enough in the first two games. The goal is to put threats everywhere on the court to be able to attack the players who hurt us. They shouldn’t play just one side (of the court), just attack. That’s what happened in the first two games – I’m referring to Nadir (Hifi) and T.J. (Shorts). They hurt us on offense but on the other end we need to make them defend so they lose lucidity later in the game offensively. We know they’re great players, we know they’ll respond. We know they might be more precise, more efficient. So it’s up to us to start on the same basis, to pressure them, give them nothing easy, make them uncomfortable and keep them scoring above 10-15 points, but with poor percentages. »

Monaco limited Paris to 74 points, a decisive figure according to Strazel: « When they score over 84-85 points, it becomes difficult for us. Here, we managed to contain them. » The Monaco collective was in sync, notably Terry Tarpey, who was again very valuable (7 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes). Alpha Diallo, despite four early fouls, delivered an intense fourth quarter on both ends of the floor.

Vassilis Spanoulis, Roca Team’s coach, expressed satisfaction: « I think in both games, we played with a sense of urgency to survive. We had good mentality, good energy, great character« , appreciates the Greek coach, though frustrated by Mam’ Jaiteh’s injury exit, while already missing Mike James and Daniel Theis.

Game 5 for glory

Monaco now has an opportunity to complete this comeback with a back-to-back. But Strazel isn’t getting ahead of himself: « Don’t get too high when you win, or too low when you lose. You have to stay mentally grounded. » Game 5 will be played Tuesday at the Adidas Arena. For both Paris and Monaco, there’s only one option: win.

In Monaco