Milan surrenders to the league leaders 105-83: the absences of Nebo and Booker weigh heavily, disastrous percentages from beyond the arc. Bolmaro scores 16, but Oturu and Blakeney decide the match
Hapoel asserts the law of the strongest and passes to the Forum 105-83. Olimpia’s streak of European victories ends at four. Sixth knockout in 12 days for Messina’s men, who pay for the terrible percentages from the arc (5/24) and the clear difference in physical size, especially in the forward department due to the absences of Nebo and Booker. Itoudis’ men confirm their position as the best attack in the Euroleague and remain in the lead, reaching 9 victories. The percentages are decisive (31/43 from 2 and 10/22 from 3). Oturu and Blakeney were excellent, finishing with 20 points, the 16 scored by a good Bolmaro for EA7 were useless.
balance
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The start of the match at the Forum makes Olimpia understand that it is not an easy evening. Messina’s men suffer from the physicality of Hapoel’s big men, Oturu above all. The former Efes player often finishes thanks to the pick and roll, taking advantage of his verticality near the rim and allowing the Israelis to escape immediately (4-10 at 3′). EA7 gets closer thanks to 10 points from Bolmaro, lethal in approaching the basket and in stopping and shooting (15-17 at 7′). The match returns to balance with the hosts who, despite suffering the talent of their opponents, work well in attack and take advantage of the good circulation to take the lead (21-20 after a basket by Brooks in the 19th minute). In the second period Hapoel continues to trigger Oturu, and scores with the plays of Blakeney and Bryant (40-47 in the 19th minute). Milano responds with the usual Bolmaro, stopping and shooting, with Totè’s closed pick and roll and a triple from Ellis which is worth -2 (45-47 a handful of seconds from 20′).
HAPOEL DOMAIN
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The departure of the Israelis is lightning-fast. With a run of 12-0, gained thanks to the internal play of Oturu and the baskets, born from the one-on-ones of an excellent Micic, Malcom and Bryant. It’s a triple from Wainright that makes Olimpia slip 16 points down (45-61 in the 24th minute). The guests continued to maintain control of the match even in the following minutes, thanks to a very aggressive defense, despite some jolts from Bolmaro and Ricci. LeDay’s 2/2 on the line and a great penetration by Brooks at the end of the third quarter try to give Milan some hope again. The partial of the third period speaks clearly (19-27). Blakeney immediately extinguished any desire for a comeback by EA7 (64-82 in the 31st minute) with a couple of triples. Olimpia struggled to create advantages, paying for the physical difference and suffering the excellent offensive fluidity of Hapoel, who moved the ball excellently and punished the defensive changes (70-90 in the 34th minute) after a basket by Bryant. The last minutes of the match were used by Itoudis’ men to round off their heavy deficit and surpass the 100 point mark.
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