The duo made 16 two-point shots on as many attempts during a convincing playoff win over Barcelona
Perfect Jaiteh, Diallo showed 'beauty' of Monaco's team in Game 2
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AS Monaco is one win away from reaching its second EuroLeague Final Four after a resounding 92-79 win over FC Barcelona in Game 2 of their best-of-five playoff series. The scoring load in this contest was taken by unlikely sources – Alpha Diallo and Mam Jaiteh – who finished with 21 and 20 points, respectively.
Diallo, known more for his defense, scored 15 of Monaco’s first 17 points. His scoring run in the first 7 minutes and 8 seconds of the game included a pair of three-pointers and a three-point play to put Monaco up 17-12, and the hosts never relinquished their lead.
"He set the tone for us tonight," Jaron Blossomgame said at the post-game press conference. "He played incredible. He does a lot of great things tonight, offensively and defensively."
"I cannot judge Alpha’s impact by scoring," coach Vassilis Spanoulis explained, also at the post-game press conference. "If he scores, it’s ok, but if he does not score, he still has great games, like in Game 1. He took advantage of great creation by his teammates. He was everywhere, he was hustling, he had great energy. The most important to me, he played great defense on Kevin Punter and Jabari Parker."
After Diallo’s scoring spurt to start the game, it was Jaiteh’s turn to dominate. The big man started with showing off soft touch around the rims in the first half, then proceeded in the third quarter to dunk his way to a career-high tying 20 points on 9-of-9 two-point shooting.
"When you have guards who create like this, and you are ready to go in the game and start from defense and rebounding… he found his rhythm," Spanoulis said.
"Mam Jaiteh was incredible. I am very happy for him," Blossomgame added about the center.
"I think that is the beauty of our team, in general. In Game 1 we had a trio of guys that gave us the lead and then in this game a different group of guys. We have a lot of guys who can do a lot of great things for us."
With Diallo going perfect 7 for 7 on two-pointers, him and Jaiteh combined for 16 two-point attempts without a miss. A true rarity, especially in a playoff game.
Those made shots were also a product of good ball distribution by Elie Okobo with 8 assists, Mike James with 6, and Matthew Strazel with 5 helpers.
Monaco finished with 28 assists, a club record.
The team from the Principality could hardly find a better night to set this single-game all-time record, as it helped them open a 2-0 series lead. And inch closer to a trip to Abu Dhabi.