Virtus falls at home against the Spanish squadron under the blows of Yabusele and Hezonja. The knockout extinguishes the last hopes of reaching eighth place
The run-up to the playoffs in Bologna stops at the Segafredo Arena. Real Madrid’s physical block and superior talent extinguished dreams of a now-impossible comeback to eighth place.
Virtus Bologna-Real Madrid79-96
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The absences of Teodosic, Pajola and Cordinier are too heavy to play on par with the Spanish squadron, the class and dedication of Belinelli, the courageous captain, first and only striker of the Juventus attack cannot stand the comparison against an opponent stronger and already qualified for the playoffs. Beli posts 15 points in a row in the second quarter by putting Bologna back in the game after a tragic start (6-23), marked by the 0-13 break that orients the game, hit in the heart by Yabusele’s triples, by Chacho Rodrighez’s razors and by the deadly cs of Hezonja, but when the NBA champion returns to the bench Real extends by reaching a new +17 (33-50). So even the second half becomes a handicap race. Beli puts in his fourth triple, Shengelia wakes up after many forcings, Bologna returns with Belinelli at 20 points at 55-62. At 30′ it’s 58-68. Virtus fights tooth and nail but never manages to get close and in the last quarter collapses under the blows of Hezonja, 4 triples in a row out of his eight total, which push Real’s +22 (66-88) while Rodriguez sticks to Beli to avoid problems.
V.Bologna: Belinelli 26, Ojeleye 18, Shengelia 10
Real Madrid: Hezonja 26, Yabusele 24, Deck 11
March 24 – 21:12
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