It ends 80-86 at the Segafredo Arena, the Black Vu also pay for the emergency: a splendid start from the hosts is not enough
Virtus plays an excellent match, played for a long time, against Monaco, but succumbs to the greater freshness of Spanoulis’ team towards the end. At the Segafredo Arena they celebrate and it ends 86-80 for the Monegasques, who play a fourth quarter with 30 points scored. A fantastic Mike James scored 24. Pajola’s dedication (14 points) wasn’t enough for Ivanovic. The V-Blacks collected their 16th European knockout in 23 matches. Monaco, on the other hand, is smiling again after three defeats in a row.
escape and comeback
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Fantastic start for Virtus, as evidenced by the 26-18 in the 10th minute. The Black Vs move the ball excellently, continuously creating advantages and punishing late couplings by the Monaco defense. The data relating to triples is unreal, 6/10. The defensive work was also good, aimed at containing the great physicality present in the roster available to Spanoulis. Obviously Mike James was specially observed, together with Montiejunas and Blossongame. The Monegasques in attack do poorly in penetration, but argue with the nets from distance (1/5 from 3 to 10′). The start of the second period was also favorable to Segafredo, who continued to move the ball and, after a basket from an extraordinary Pajola (11 points in the 20th minute), they even reached +21, at 39-18. Monaco begins to react, stretching the defense and challenging Virtus for rebounds more frequently (Bologna are still ahead overall, 18-13 at the long break). The offensive impact of the Principality team is also growing, relying on Papagiannis’ movements in the area and Strazel’s outbursts (on the scoresheet with 7 points at half-time). The return of the Monegasques is also favored by a drop in the 3-point percentages of Ivanovic’s men (8/17 at halftime). The 14/20 guest from 2 was decisive. Despite the growth of their opponents, Segafredo leads 49-41 in the 20th minute.
extraordinary james
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The start of recovery is characterized by balance. The physicality increases and consequently the percentages also decrease. Virtus struggles against long opponents, Diallo in particular. Ivanovic’s men continue to benefit from Pajola, who remains efficient in both phases of the game. The result at the third buzzer leaves everything open, 62-56 for the home team. Spanoulis’ team overturns the psychological inertia at the beginning of the fourth period, scoring a 7-4 lead and also benefiting from some Juventus errors in the scoring phase. A triple by Mike James puts the Monegasques just one possession away (66-63 in the 33rd minute). Just over a minute passes and the former Olimpia punishes Segafredo again: parity at 66. At the end of the match the respective leaders emerge. Captain Belinelli takes charge of the attack of the V-Blacks, while on the other side the usual, ineffable, number 55 takes care of it. Together with the former Brooklyn Nets, there is Strazel, capable of finding the 3-point play, which effectively closes the race. In the last few seconds, Monaco is ahead by two possessions, 82-76, after James’ 2/2 free throws. Bologna can no longer recover.
Virtus: Shengelia 15, Pajola 14, Belinelli 11
Monaco: James 24, Strazel 14, Montiejunas, Papagiannis 11
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