After 11 victories in a row at home, the French interrupt Segafredo’s streak: Belinelli leads the comeback, in the sprint Banchi surrenders 78-81 to James and Loyd
Virtus falls in front of their fans on the twenty-sixth day of the Euroleague. At the Segafredo Arena, where Banchi’s team was coming off 11 consecutive victories (equaling the franchise record), Monaco achieved a major success in the playoffs, driven by the 45 points of the Loyd-James duo. Belinelli and Lundberg fail to find the usual comeback: Virtus shoots poorly from 3 (9/27) and from the line (15/23), and surrenders 78-81. The two teams are now tied in the standings with 16 wins and 10 losses.
EVIL FROM DISTANCE
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The match opened with a 5-0 by Jordan Loyd. Virtus manages to enter the game after some difficulties, and it is Shengelia who responds to Mike James’ 6 points. Banchi’s team builds good shots but never scores 3s (0/7 in the first 10′), and the Monegasques take a 21-16 lead at the first siren. The second quarter opens in the same way as the first: 5-0 by Llyod which forces Banchi to time out. Despite the good impact of Mickey and Lundberg from the bench, Obradovic’s team runs away led by Loyd (17 points in the first half) and reaches the maximum lead (+16). Virtus needs a shake-up, and Marco Belinelli comes into the game: 8 points in a row with two triples (the only ones scored in the first 20′ for Bologna), and we get to halftime with Monaco leading 45-35.
NO COMEBACK
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Virtus leaves the locker room with a completely different attitude, and it is once again Belinelli who leads the comeback. The blue player reaches 18 points, while the Bolognese defense raises the intensity and forces Monaco into 5 turnovers in the first 5′ of the third quarter. The percentages from the arc, however, continue to be deficient, and the French maintain the advantage thanks to the points obtained from offensive rebounds, such as Diallo’s triple, which gives Obradovic’s team +6 (60-54) entering the last 10′. Mickey immediately ignites the crowd with a 4-point game, and after the exploits of Lundberg and Loyd, Virtus equalizes at 66 with Cordiner from the line. Polonara puts Virtus back in the lead, then James goes on his own with 6 points in a row before another triple from Belinelli, which makes it 74-74. The French manage to get back ahead thanks to yet another feat from James and Loyd’s free throws: Lundberg has the potential overtaking shot one second from time, but his attempt only finds the iron. Virtus therefore falls, having been reached in the standings by Monaco despite maintaining the advantage in goal difference.
Virtus: Belinelli 21, Lundberg 15, Shengelia 12 Monk: Loyd 24, James 21, Okobo 9
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