Leday was decisive against the Catalans, who came close to making a sensational comeback in the final. Bologna defeated on the Real pitch
Milan risks a sensational mockery, wasting a 27-point lead in a disastrous fourth period (33-9), but beats Barcelona 87-84 and keeps their hopes of taking part in the post-season alive, with tenth place now one victory away. 16 points from Leday and 13 from Bolmaro (ex of the evening) were decisive. However, Barcelona’s crisis continues, falling for the sixth consecutive time in the Euroleague, while EA7 overturns the direct clash and rises to 15 victories. However, Carsen Edwards’ 32 points were not enough for Virtus Bologna to snatch a success at the home of Real Madrid, fourth in the standings yet hanging on to the shots of their champions, in the final minutes, to prevail 92-84. Hezonja is a phenomenon (19 points) and Campazzo is cynical (12 points), but Ivanovic’s team is never tamed as demonstrated by the rebound victory, with Smailagic’s 11. Vildoza (15) and Alston (11) achieved double figures.
Milan-Barcelona 87-84
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Olimpia immediately exposed the difficulties of a Barcelona team, which presents itself at the Alianz Cloud fresh from 5 knockouts in a row. Poeta’s men apply a lot of defensive pressure, run in transition and move the ball. The percentages smile at EA7 (17/30 from the field in the 20th minute, 5/9 from 3). After a recovery, which leads to a dunk by Nebo, Milan also reaches +14, before closing the first 20 minutes ahead 46-34. The Catalans pay the 2/13 from 3 and the 5 turnovers of the first half. Booker, Brooks and Leday were excellent, combining for 23 points. The race script remains the same. Milan moves the ball, thanks to the direction of Ellis and Bolmaro and finishes with Leday and Nebo. The hosts increased their lead several times, in a third quarter in which Barcelona did not react. A sensational triple by Brooks in the 30th minute gives the score +27 (78-51). The guests shook themselves at the start of the fourth quarter, making Milan pay for too many turnovers with a run of 13-2. The Catalans find rhythm and send 4 different players to score (Clyburn, Shengelia, Vesely and Parra) and get back to -2 with less than 3” from the end, taking advantage of the greater physical size of the big men in the area and two triples in the final seconds by Satoransky. Shields goes 1/2 to the line, Shengelia’s last shot hits the rim. The EA7 wins with thrill.
Milan: Leday 16, Bolmaro, Shields 13, Nebo 12
Barcelona: Vesely, Shengelia 15, Satoransky 11, Clyburn 10
Real Madrid-Virtus Bologna 92-84
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When the going gets tough, Real Madrid’s snipers score mercilessly. A Virtus Bologna without Hackett and Pajola resisted until the end in Madrid, finding themselves tied at 77-77 with 3’30” to go. At that point, however, they suffered a deadly one-two: the escape triples from Hezonja and Campazzo, after an infringement of steps that tells of an evening of mistakes and yet immense heart, due to the caliber of the opponent and the extraordinary demands required of several players. Bologna had started better led by an immense Edwards in the first half: 22 of the team’s 40 points in total are his. But after the initial lead (10-17), the VuNere falter when subjected to doubles and the physicality of their opponents. They remain standing both when Campazzo shoots the triple to make it 46-40 at the half-time siren, and when they slip 11 points down in the third quarter; another Madrid triple at the end. Edwards calms down, but remains at the center of the game and at the same time Vildoza lights up. With several breaks built on defense and rebounds, Virtus gets back on track, putting their heads back at the start of the fourth quarter after a 6-0 break signed by Edwards and Vildoza and for most of the last period responding with champion shots to the rivals’ baskets.
Real Madrid: Hezonja 19, Tavares 14, Campazzo 12
Bologna: Edwards 32, Vildoza 15, Alston 11
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