The Derby of Italy wins the Virtus Bologna, Olimpia Ko Messina: “Coveremned by Three Shots”

Without Shavon Shields-Narutionary Rest-Olimpia, 12 really nice minutes plays in Bologna, in which he still grooves nine points ahead, but loses control of the game in the second period and again in the fourth quarter, until the entrance of the decisive straight straight, 86-80. With very little shot of three (7 out of 29 but without steadfastness), he collapses against a virtus who pulls 11 from triple, more than 40%.

The shots of three Van Belinelli and Morgan are the ones who rejected the attempts of the Olimpia -Comepack in the second half. There was not enough continuity to impose yourself on a field like that of Virtus, despite the facts there have been no lack of efforts. Mirotic and Leday produced 39 points in pairs, but in attack they did not have enough support from the outsiders (2 of the 16 of three three guards, Mannion, Brooks and Causeur).

So coach Ettore Messina commented on the Bologna game: “I think Virtus had the game at two different times. The first when you are not nervous in the face of our tender start, which was very good, and the second when we repeated them in the second half. At that time we granted three baskets of three to Belinelli in the transition: To be honest, it was a pity in a race in which we also did good things. We played a game, those who were not on the field could not be there and we were worried about shields because he played a lot, even in the national team, and now he has the inflamed tendon. We are planning to restore it for Thursday. In the fourth period we had other comebacks, but there we made too many open shots from outside that convicted of us. In terms of dedication, however, it was an important signal. This is a championship in which we and Virtus may have more customary to play close games, but now we pay the many obligations in a season in which we have had several major accidents. However, it is true that there are many good teams and the race to the title is very open “.

The game

The Olimpia also starts better against the defensive aggression of Virtus. Two triple Mirotic digs the first advantage at 10-3. But Bologna does not get upset, uses the physical power of Daniel Hackett, which with two consecutive baskets in the vicinity of the basket first at 15 and then at the age of 17. At the most difficult moment the Olimpia has a great reaction. Flaccadori marks a sweater of the average and Zach Leday works in the area to get six free shots. He concentrates all of them and opens eight margin points for the triplicate with which Hackett closes the first period with Milan for 25-20.

The Olimpia tries a new extension in the second quarter. With Diop and Brooks he flees more nine. But at the best moment it mainly stops in Attack where a series of hasty conclusions of three drunken without ever finding the target, without going to the ring. Virtus finds the points of Matt Morgan, the internal game of Tornike Shengelia, the Georgian with half a hook at 31-31. Coach Messina spends the first time-out, shortly thereafter he also uses a second one, but only because the attack is not patient.

The break is 18-2, so Virtus from less nine goes to more seven. Fortunately, the defense continues to hold enough, in Rebound the Olimpia maintains some control. The last basket, by Brooks, breaks the negative moment. During the interval it is 38-31 Bologna.

Two triples from Marco Belinelli seem to close the game immediately, with Virtus to plus 13, 50-37. Instead, the Olimpia holds up in one way or another. They Mark Leday by attacking Shengelia, markings in. Akele rejects the comeback attempt with a sweater from the corner, but shortly after Mirotic van Drie, Leday from the line and Mirotic from the bottom they restore the opening to one points. The third triple of the third period of Belinelli returns to Virtus The slowness of the race. But Mirotic at 55 influences the game.

As already happened in the first half, the best time is not supported for long. Zizic in Rebound and still Belinelli count the new more five and at the end of the third it is 63-59 Bologna. Olimpia tries to get really closer in the fourth period. Tonut van de Boog completes a remarkable competition on the two sides of the field by reporting Milan to less than three.

But twice Matt Morgan marks three points by opening nine marquits. Ricci reacts with a triple, but the last attempt would be needed, a partial network that Olimpia cannot vibrate by losing 86-80. (Fonte Olimpia Press Office Milan)

The scoreboard

Segafredo Virtus Bologna-Eea7 Emporio Armani Olimpia Milan 86-80 (20-25, 38-34, 63-59)

Segafredo Virtus Bologna: Cordinier 8, Holiday, Belinelli 19, Pajola 3, Visconti Ne, Shengelia 15, Hackett 9, Morgan 16, Diouf 10, Zizic 4, Akele 2, Tucker. Coach Ivanovic.

EA7 Emporio Armani Olimpia Milan: Mannion 9, Bortolani, Causeur 2, Tonut 9, Brooks 9 (8 rebounds), Leday 17 (11/12 to the Liberi), Ricci 5, Flaccadori 2, Diop 2, Caruso Ne, Mirotic 22 (7/12.