After three consecutive defeats, Olimpia smiles again and wins fundamental points
Nikola Mirotic is a phenomenon, raises the level of the whole team and Ea7 Milano returns to victory in the championship after three consecutive defeats. Two points which at the end of the 12th day (all the matches here) are also important for qualification to the final eight of the Italian Cup, never really in doubt for a battleship like Milan and yet put in the balance by the latest results. Olimpia escapes in the third quarter by tightening the defense, then enjoys the play of Mirotic who finishes as MVP with 29 points, 5/9 from three, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. But Shields is also decisive with his 22 points and 4/6 from the arc. The success is worth joining Trieste and Tortona in sixth place with 7 victories. Trapani stops (for the first time away) after six consecutive victories that had taken them to second place, and must “settle” for third for this week. Ventello for the trio Alibegovic, Notae (4/6 from three) and Galloway.
Milan-Trapani 105-90
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After a balanced first half (50-47) and played at a sustained pace with high scores, Olimpia broke the match with a 15-2 run after returning from the break, then closing the third period with an 18 point advantage (81 -63). Conceding only 16 points in ten minutes, half of which were scored by Alibegovic, compared to the 31 scored. Meanwhile, Trapani loses Justin Robinson (8 points in 20′) due to a knee injury. But what makes the difference is the defense of Ea7, at times impenetrable even in transition, in addition to the rebounding work. From the front, then, everything is easier: triples from Mirotic and Shields pave the way towards the double-digit lead (57-47), while Diop convinces under the basket and the bench gives its contribution. In the fourth period, three triples from Mirotic in rapid sequence sent the headlines (95-76, +19) well in advance despite the opponents’ return with pride.
the first half
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A heavy gap if you think about the start of the match. Jasmin Repesa’s Sharks got off to a great start (+11) and closed the first half with 8 triples scored on 15 attempts, warming the hands of all the players, Galloway and Alibegovic above all. Milan’s counter-partial (11-0) always comes from Mirotic, with contributions from Dimitrijevic, Mannion and Tonut. And while things didn’t go well from the arc in the first two periods, Trapani was unable to contain his opponents in the paint (75% accuracy after 20). Then when Messina’s men raise the level in defense there is none for anyone.
Milan: Mirotic 29, Shields 22, Diop 13
Trapani: Alibegovic and Notae 21, Galloway 20
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