Clyburn wins it with a shot from four within a second and pennies from the siren and Virtus beats Baskonia in a sprint in Vitoria, at coach Ivanovic’s house. 81-82 for the black Vu on the evening of the first real bench for the new coach who arrived in Bologna only six days ago.
“We were lucky but these guys need victories like these” said Ivanovic who did the feat in the courtyard of his home, Basque by adoption as he is. Vu has never stopped believing in it and Vu has always remained paired with the Basque rossoblù twinned with Fortitudo, and who in the final with the Baldwin and Rogkavopoulos couple seemed more lucid and ready to take it home.
But while yet another lost sprint in the photo finish was materializing, Clyburn’s caliph play arrived: triple and additional free to conquer Vitoria without Belinelli stopped by a muscle problem, and making this Euroleague less bitter for one night.
Twenty-three points for Clyburn with 7/11 two-pointers and the designated center forward for the entire match, 16 points and 10 rebounds for an imperious Shengelia, Vu at the wheel had a Hackett who is growing minute by minute and the usually concrete Pajola, 9 points and six assists. Draw, 38-38, was after 20′ of the match with a toned Vu who had a brilliant Zizic, good things from Grazulis and finally a tonic Hackett in control. They both tried to extend their lead but the balance prevailed, with Bologna showing off quintets that had never been seen before, due to the hand of Ivanovic who is giving space to the bench players from the Banchi era.
The Latvian is better than Tucker in responding to the pigtailed coach’s trust, but the sign is that the team is looking for a new face. Good energy and application to stay fully in the race. Upon returning, the balance continued to prevail then Baskonia tried to make a mini-stretch, 44-41 but Vu found first Shengelia and then Clyburn the men with the points to re-establish a match truly without a master. And so with 10′ to go the score was 57-56 with Clyburn being the chosen striker of Bologna’s attack. A few too many rebounds left to the Basque attack and Vu slipped to -4 but didn’t give up and with Cordinier at 3′ 31” it was 70-68. Having lost a good Hackett for the fifth foul, Baskonia was 0/4 on free throws but without Bologna taking advantage: 75-72 with 1’18” left.
Cordinier went to the rim for 77-74 with 30″ to play, Haward at the line 78-74 with 18″ remaining, layup by Clyburn 78-76, Baldwin from the line then a quick basket by Grazulis – A 4″ Rogkavopoulos 1/2 to free throws for 81-78, then Clyburn with one second and 9 tenths: 81 all and then the free throw of the bracket. Trieste arrives at the Palafiera on Sunday.
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