Fast-improving Monaco (2-2) hosts dangerous Maccabi (2-1) in a repeat of last season's playoffs series, won by the Roca Team in the maximum five games. This meeting, Thursday's final tip-off, is highlighted by a stellar backcourt battle between two of the competition's best guards. Mike James has scored at least 14 points in every game this season, while Lorenzo Brown averages 15.7 points per night and leads the league with 10.3 assists per game. James needs just 7 points to become just the fourth EuroLeague player to reach the career milestone of 4,000 points, but he'll have to be constantly on alert against Brown, who also tops the competition with 2.3 steals per night.
Pre-game quotes: Monaco vs. Maccabi
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Sasa Obradovic, Monaco head coach
"The content of our training sessions was good, but we didn't manage to put it into practice on the court against Valencia and Virtus. We need to rediscover the automatisms we had last year. We're starting a new season with the return of Jordan Loyd. It's a good problem to have, because he's a key player who needs to get back into form and get back to his normal routine. I don't know yet whether he'll play against Maccabi, we're thinking about it. The only cure is time. This match has a special flavor because the two teams know each other very well. The players know how to defend. It's all going to depend on how we manage our timeouts, we can't give them any easy shots and we have to muzzle the backs, especially Lorenzo Brown and DiBartolomeo. It's going to be a physical battle. It's important to manage the players' playing time well. It's a long season and it's important to find playing time for everyone."
Oded Kattash, Maccabi head coach
"We remember from last year how difficult this arena is to play in. Monaco are a very talented team this year too, with great continuity, and it will not be an easy task. We will want to make our fans happy, we are thinking about them every day, they are with us along with the citizens and soldiers. It will not be a simple game, but we are prepared as mush as we can and hope to come out with a good result".
Regular Season
Round 5 of 34
Regular Season
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Maccabi Playtika Tel AvivMTA
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Mike James, Monaco player
"The series against Maccabi last year was good. Now it's time to move on, as we're starting a new season. We're going to try and string together some wins in the EuroLeague. The team started to play harder after the first two defeats. That's what we saw in Belgrade in particular, this positive development. There wasn't enough intensity at the start of the season. I think we arrived in the EuroLeague over-confident. Sometimes it's good to get a slap in the face and get back on track. For my part, I'm trying to play at my best and do what I can, no matter what time of the season it is. I'm going to keep training. I'm feeling good. I work every day, whether it's after good or bad games. I try to stay consistent in what I do and prepare well for the games."