Milano-Virtus 79-72, match-5 championship final, Olimpia goes 3-2

Milan grabs the key victory of the series, folds Virtus Bologna and sees the finish line closer after game 5, 79-72. A great Shields drags the Italian champions into the decisive quarter, the match of the Belinelli-Hackett-Cordinier trio is not enough for Segafredo, betrayed by Teodosic. Wednesday match 6 in Bologna where Milan can sew the third star on its chest.

Milan-Virtus 79-72

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Good start for the bianconeri pushed by the verve of an always precious Cordinier on both sides of the pitch, Olimpia’s response was immediate and puts its nose forward on the Melli-Voigtmann axis, 9-5. Rough match as expected, Bologna asks its great veteran for help, Belinelli replies present, exchange of triples between Pajola and Baron, 26-24 at the first siren. The defense of coach Ettore Messina’s troop rises again by blows, the Forum pushes the hosts who flee until plus 9: 35-26, another torpedo from Baron. The guests don’t give up, Hackett proudly leads the mini recovery of Virtus, of Shields the plus 5 which seals the partial at the interval, 42-37. After the long break, the intensity of the match increases again, many mistakes and hasty conclusions from both sides, Biligha’s energy is a factor in the new extension of the Italian champions who also reach a double-digit lead, 54-43 . With Teodosic unjustifiably absent, Hackett and Belinelli are still keeping the Black Vs in contact, partial 11-0 for the new -2. Last quarter with skyrocketing tension, the red-and-white crowd ignites at the plays of Napier and Shields, Shengelia signs the last Bolognese acute with the challenge still with only one possession away between the two rivals, 67-65. The finish is still all about Shields and his teammates, the former Trento scores the key baskets, Milan claws the challenge and brings the pressure in game 6 on the shoulders of the black and whites.

Milan: Shields 22, Melli 13, Baron and Napier 12

Virtus Bologna: Belinelli 17, Cordinier 14, Hackett 12