The nightmare of the first leg, the 27 points of advantage thrown away in less than 14 minutes, vanishes in an ending for strong hearts in which Nico Mannion, with two lost balls, tries to ruin his matches and revive the Zalgiris. Zach Leday pierces him with his 100% to the Liberi and Armani passes to the photoFinish (87-89), taking the external victory he wanted, the blow that keeps his playoff hopes alive. “We have marked the free and made important play in the final”, at the end the long Texan exults, more and more leader of a group that does not give up.
The news
Tosta Milan, shiny for almost all the match, capable of imposing its pace, yet never completely in control. A bit for the talent of Francisco and the former NBA Walker, which Triple’s hammer and a little because without the experience of Mirotic and Causeur the management of the hot moments is increasingly complicated. Leday branded the first half with 18 sound points, and adds 8 in the last 3 minutes. Shields appears and disappears, Gillespie and Bolmaro put the usual ton of defense us but in the end the difference makes it the “Red Mamba” Mannion, to his career record, seasoned with rebounds, assists and leadership: “The plan was to attack the Defensive changes and we did it – explains Nico – I felt well and we played teams “.
Choral from the ball from two, Armani chooses the high rhythms to unhinge the best defense in Europe, immediately hoisted on the shoulders of Leday and stamps a 16-24 at 10 ‘thanks to the beautiful contribution of Dimitrijevic and Tonut from the bench. He pays a little rebound, he struggles to contain the Siluri of Francisco and Sirvydis (11 points and three triples each in the second quarter) but in attack he always puts the ball where he wants, also activating the Banks of Shields. At the long break remain the eight points of advantage of the external advantage, 78% from two is the best insurance policy for the recovery.
Leday decisive
Still Shields signs the best Milanese moment until 55-67 of the 27th minute. Here, as at the forum, the Olimpia deflates, Walker exhibits a pair of Jordanesche magic and the Zalgiris pulls out pride in front of his 15 thousand faithful, re -enacting the least 1 at 30 ‘. A triple with Libero di Mannion is the only Armani jolt at the beginning of the last quarter, when the ball no longer turns and the ghosts appear. Francisco overtakes from three, Mannion is not at least: assist for the counter -rough of Shields and two springs to the iron to resume possession of the dispute. Twice, from the bezel, Leday scores the +6, twice Walker scares on +2. But the Texan is of ice: he completes his 13 out of 13 and sends everyone home.
Messina can sigh: “We kept rebound and fought on every possession, I am very happy and proud for these players, it was not easy to come here after the bad defeat of Monaco”. Bayern is already archived: you already look at the Monaco, which will arrive in the forum in three weeks, after the break for the Italian and national cup. Confidence
Zalgiris Kaunas-Armani Milano 87-89
Zalgiris: Francisco 29, Walker 22, Sirvydis 17
ARMANI: Leday 26, Mannion 21, Shields 17
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