The Spaniards win at the Forum 103-100. The Argentinian’s super 31-point performance was useless
The heart of Milan is not enough. Olimpia falls at home (100-103) against Valencia, who proves to be an energetic and extremely dynamic team. Two sensational comebacks in 40 minutes were not enough (the first from -17 in the first half and the second from -22 in the second half). Bolmaro’s super performance was useless for the purposes of the result, impeccable in all phases of the game and 31 points overall (10/15 from the field). Messina, despite the fourth European defeat in 6 days, can smile at the team’s response (still without Brown, Nebo and LeDay). Martinez instead climbs to 3 victories and enjoys 18 points from Montero and 16 from the blue Thompson.
valencia and bolmaro rhythm
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The ball kicks off a game that doesn’t stop for a moment, with both teams running in transition. The balance is broken at the end of the first quarter, when Milan misses a couple of well-constructed triples, Valencia continues to attack in the first seconds, punishing Milan’s defensive changes and reaching the rim (16-22 at 9′) after a penetration by Badio. The match changes radically with Olimpia who stops the ball too much in the following minutes and is unable to contain the explosiveness of the Spaniards (Montero and Badio above all), who after a triple from Moore even go up +17 (29-46 at 15′). There is also glory for the Italian Darius Thompson, dangerous from the arc and incisive in defense. Everything seems set for the start of the breakaway for victory for Martinez’s men, but EA7 rises again. The decisive man is Bolmaro, the most reactive of his team (17 points at 20′), who throws himself on the passing lines and turns the balls into gold, running on the counterattack and closing at the rim (46-52 at 18′). The first 20′ gave the Milanese public the first minutes of the newcomer (and former evening player) Nate Sestina, who did well without the ball in attack, but didn’t capitalize from the 6th and 75th.
crazy ending
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The break did not cool down the guests, who dug another furrow, this time even deeper (57-79 at 26′) after Moore’s free throws and above all after a veritable hail of five consecutive triples, created in transition and with the defense deployed. The EA7, despite good ball circulation, continues to not find the feeling from behind the arc. It’s still Bolmaro, Olimpia’s best: the Argentine continues to play a total match and thanks to his speed he pairs defensively with his opponents and finds the back of the net in transition. A triple by Ricci at the end of the third quarter tries to rekindle the Forum (74-85 in the 30th minute). At the start of the final period, Milano returns again, attacking with patience, finding the basket with Brooks, Ricci and Shields. Three free throws from the Dane put the home team back at -5 (87-92 at 35′). In the last 5′, Messina tries to open the field to benefit the shooters and make the good circulation take advantage. The “small” quintet pays and EA7 even returns to -2, after the very heavy triple from the usual Bolmaro, released in the corner (96-98 in the 36th minute). In the final, Olimpia manages to grab the equalizer, building a good shot, missed by Guduric, but corrected by an excellent Brooks (100 equal in the 38th minute). Moore on the other hand scores 0/2 on the line, but from this moment a festival of errors starts that lasts several seconds, until Montero’s triple (100-103 with 43”from the end). The Lombards would have the opportunity to shoot from far away in transition to equalize again, but Thompson nips Shields’ attempt in the bud with a great block. On the next throw-in, Milan tries again, but Brooks hits the rim and condemns Olimpia to their fourth European defeat.
Milan: Bolmaro 31, Brooks 16, Ricci 13
Valencia: Montero 18, Thompson 16, Moore, Pradilla 13
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