Olimpia snatched their tenth European victory of the year, but the second half was a red flag. Barça reacts and comes close to catching: from -19 it ends 74-70
Barcelona is beaten for the second time in the season, a monumental Melli (out due to a calf problem) takes center stage in defence, but Olimpia’s tenth victory in the Euroleague arrived breathlessly, at the end of a second half chills: from +19 we ended up closing it with a +4 which says many things. The victory in Milan is a very precious one to fuel play-in hopes. At the Forum it ends 74-70 with Melli, as we were saying, worthy of applause: today he became the third defensive rebounder ever, overtaking Felipe Reyes, thanks to 6 rebounds under his own board. Shields was also excellent, scoring 23 points.
super defense
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Start of the race at a moderate pace at the Forum, good start for the long men for Milan. Melli and Poythress make themselves heard under the scoreboards (the blue in defense, the former Maccabi in attack). The Messina team defends well and concedes just 12 points to the Catalans in the first quarter. The most positive aspect for EA7 are the 6 players who scored in the first quarter, who played their part in building the 11-0 break which allowed the hosts to reach the first siren at 23-12. Olimpia continues to be in control of the pitch, reading Barcelona’s offensive play and moving the ball in attack, running well in transition. At 20′ it’s 47-28 for the Lombards who can count on the usual Shields and a substantial Napier (lots of defense and also 7 points). The rookie (at the Forum) Mcgruder also did well, 6 points and 5 rebounds.
so much nervousness
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Barça comes out of the locker room well and goes on a 10-2 run in just two minutes. Messina’s team, on the other hand, definitely stumbled in the offensive phase. Olimpia’s biggest difficulty, in the period that inaugurates the second half, is in the defensive pairings on the offensive reversals of Grimau’s men. Triples from Shields and Mcgruder let Milan breathe, which also leads to the third mini break: 57-49. Fourth quarter very fragmented and without great pace, and luckily Melli is there (who turns 33 today). Excited and nervous final: Brizuela sent off for double technical.
Olimpia Milano: 23 Shields, 11 Mcgruder, 10 Poythress
Barcellona: 28 Vesely, 11 Parker, 10 Hernangomez
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2024-01-26 22:02:14
#Shields #show #attack #super #Melli #defense #Milan #rejects #Barcelonas #comeback
