Milan stronger than absences

Absences, close commitments and not-excellent condition: all this does not stop Olimpia Milano. The red-and-whites go beyond the difficulties, rout Umana Venezia’s parquet (85-81) and maintain the lone lead in the standings. The aggressive red-and-white defense is the key to the game, as well as the points of a Gentile who is getting closer to his newfound form, of an excellent Batista near the basket and of a decisive Lafayette in the final minutes, with the triples that close the match. The partial came at the start of the fourth period, after three very balanced quarters, with continuous back-and-forth. Now EA7 can think about Trento and Tuesday’s Eurocup challenge.

Repesa is facing a last-minute emergency, with the absence of Simon due to flu, while he finds Kalnietis back in the 12. The game is immediately very balanced, with the two teams fighting back blow by blow, with an excellent Batista for the red-and-whites and Goss’ points on the other side. A few too many Milanese fumbles make Reyer stretch (25-20 at 11′), immediately with EA7’s answer with the bombastic entrance of captain Gentile (11 points in the second quarter), for the 9-0 and the +4 biancorosso. No one, however, manages to give a decisive blow to the match, so it goes on point to point, with advantages once for one team, immediately cancelled by the other.

The trend of the match does not change in the start of the second half as well, when the percentages from the field drop a bit, but the scoring situation is still tied. The +4 Lagoonese lead is cancelled by the 8-0 Milanese run, with four points in a row by Macvan (50-54 at 26′), with EA7 putting a lot of defensive pressure, but spending the bonus midway through the third period and Venice staying in touch with free throws. However, when the friendly lunette is gone, Reyer can’t find the way to the basket anymore and Olimpia posts a 9-1 run to open the fourth period and fly into double-digit lead (57-67 at 34′). Goss tries to bring his team closer with his talent, but Lafayette is red-hot: three threes and game over.

Article in collaboration with Basketissimo.com