The point-to-point final condemns Olimpia. Bologna holds their own for two quarters, then gives in against a super Hifi
The third day of the Euroleague is bitter for the two Italians, both defeated in the double French match. Milan falls 79-82 at the Forum against Monaco, while Virtus loses in Paris 90-79. EA7 returns to Assago after the week in Serbia, and surrenders after a hard-fought race. 13 points from Shields, 12 from Brown and 15 from Booker are not enough. Theis and James were decisive, putting together 35 points. Ivanovic’s team, however, suffered the intensity of the Parisians, who escaped in the second quarter where they effectively compromised the match. Great difficulty for the Vu-Blacks on both ends of the court, with 26 turnovers and 20 offensive rebounds conceded. Tabellini’s team, which runs and shoots at NBA pace (40 triples attempted), finds a great performance from Hifi, while the best for Virtus is Morgan.
MILAN-MONACO 79-82
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The guests started with greater intensity, triggering the talent of Strazel, Mirotic and James in transition. Milano gets going when LeDay, Shields and Brooks come on and takes advantage of Dunston under the basket. Olimpia limits the damage in the 10th minute (17-22). Monaco benefits from Theis’ internal play, aided by Milan’s defensive difficulties. In addition to the German big man, the guests rely on Diallo’s cuts and the plays of James and Okobo. EA7, with baskets from LeDay and Shields, who combined for 19 points at halftime, remained in the lead. A penetration on the 31st by Messina sets the score at 36-41, in favor of Spanoulis’ men in the 20th minute. In the second half the Theis-Strazel axis continues to hurt Olimpia, who however enjoys Booker’s work under the knife. The difference is made by offensive transitions. Shields and Guduric miss from the arc, James is infallible and sends his team to +8. Bolmaro, from 3 and Brooks, in penetration, bring EA7 closer, who remains afloat in the 30th minute (62-66). The Monegasques fly to +10 in the fourth period with talented baskets from Okobo, Diallo and James. Guduric, with 8 points in a row, puts Milan back at -2. Mirotic misses a free throw and Booker scores from midrange, Olimpia at -1. After a 2/2 by Strazel on the line, the hosts are unable to build the shot of a potential equalizer with Brown. Monaco moves to the Forum.
Milan: Booker 15, Shields 13, Brown 12
Monk: James 18, Thies 17, Okobo and Diallo 13
PARIS-VIRTUS 90-79
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The start of the game was played on the edge of balance: more one-on-one for Paris, with Hifi very inspired (10 points already in the first quarter), while Virtus built and shot well in the first quarter (4/8 from 3). Ivanovic’s team immediately recovers the first mini-stretch, and 4 points in a row from Morgan make it 24-24 after 10′. The troubles for the Vu-Blacks begin in the second quarter: a rain of turnovers (13 at halftime), no baskets for 4 minutes and an 11-0 run for Paris, which reaches its maximum lead (47-33) 1 minute before returning to the locker room. Two flashes from Morgan, however, allow Bologna to end the first half at 49-40: all in all, a bargain. In the second half, however, the script does not change. Tabellini’s team maintains its lead with triples from the corners, offensive rebounds (20) and great defensive intensity: baskets from Hifi and Morgan make it 72-60 entering the final quarter. The Parisian monologue finds the exclamation point when there are about 5 minutes remaining: yet another ball recovered in defense and a super stepback from 3 by Herrera for 84-66, from which the final credits of the match actually start.
Paris: Hifi 20, M’Baye 12, Hommes 11
Virtus: Morgan 21, Edwards 11, Niang 10
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