Virtus greets Europe from the Basque Country, clearly beaten by Baskonia, 89-77, in the play-off which opened the way to the play-off quarter-finals against Real Madrid. And instead Virtus lasts only one half, 41 draws, then collapses in the usual fatal third quarter, like other times in the season, suffering a 31-16 which decides the match prematurely. And it is still Howard who executes her, 28 points after 34 in Bologna last week, Miller McIntyre and the unprecedented Sederkeskis and Costello, relentless three-pointers.
Goodbye then to the Euroleague, waiting for a license, for a Virtus Bologna that improves significantly since last year going from fourteenth to ninth and above all capable of prestigious victories, magical nights given to its fans at the Segafredo Arena and the feat of Istanbul a few days ago, striking down the Ephes.
16 points and 7 rebounds for Shengelia, the last to give up, 13 for Hackett and 10 each for Corcinier, Lundberg and Belinelli but too little energy and too little clarity in attack to find another prestigious blitz. And to say that Vitoria’s evening didn’t start off badly: 41 equal at the end of a vibrant first half, and a Vu capable of always repelling Baskonia’s outbursts. Great use of the three-point shot to score and look for the extension, no one put a heavy punch while Bologna started with 10 points in a row from captain Belinelli to hang on to the match.
With the first basket of the game from Lundberg, the man from Istanbul, Vu ended the first half ahead. Careful defense on Howard, it was Lundberg again who found the points and with the points from the line from a good Hackett at 1’50” it was still 36 all. Balance until the siren with a Vu in control and fully inside the match.
But upon returning it was immediately dark: the terrible duo Howard-Miller McIntyre scored a stunning 12-2 which turned the match around. Rain of Basque triples and confused attacks from Vu, the deadly mix dictated a 36-12 which already alluded to a half surrender. 72-57 with Baskonia in very high morale was not the best way to enter the last 10′ for Bologna. Vitoria who traveled on velvet and Vu who, thanks to the triples and the tenacity of Shengelia, avoided scoring in a match that objectively could not change direction. Now we return to the championship with the match against Pallacanestro Reggiana, which at this point, having said goodbye to the Euroleague, will be played on Monday evening.
#time #Virtus #falls #Vitoria
– 2024-04-22 06:02:21
