GERMANI BRESCIA – ESTRA PISTOIA 79-70. The event ends at PalaLeonessa game 1 of the playoffs between Germani Bresciathird seed, and the Estra Pistoia, sixth, with the victory of the Lombards, in a match with low percentages and therefore also with a low score. Germani, in control for half the match, risked conceding one sensational comebackbut then managed to get the better of it in the final quarter. MVP of the match is Miro Bilanwith 19 points, 18 rebounds (7 offensive), and 6/11 from the field. Race 2 is set for Tuesday 14th at 8.45pm.
Brescia – Pistoia, the analysis
The match is divided into three distinct phases. The first half of the match was dominated by Brescia who immediately tried to distance themselves and after a few minutes they already had a double-digit lead. In the second quarter the score widens to +20 thanks to a 14-2 scored by the home team, who in fact go to the locker rooms on the 48-28 after 20 minutes of play. Upon returning to the field the music changes because Pistoia reacts and manages to completely eliminate the disadvantage. With two scores of 11-2 the Tuscans return to the game and close the third quarter down by just 6 points. At the beginning of the last 10 minutes of the game, Pistoia completed the comeback and tied the game at 63-63, definitively returning to the game. Brescia wakes up and in the last 90 seconds of the match they have the upper hand thanks to two crucial triples in a row of a gigantic one CJ Massinburg (13 points).
The clear difference between the two teams is under the basket. Germani dominates Pistoia and captures 51 total rebounds of which 15 offensive, while Estra only 38 in total and 9 in the offensive half of the pitch. In general the percentages are very low on both sides: 40.9% from two and 38.5% from three for Brescia, only 32.4% from two and 33.3% from three for Pistoia. Germani will have to be more careful in game 2 against a team that never dies like Pistoia and that today was about to make a coup, down by 20 points and without ever having been higher in the score.
The scoreboard
BRESCIA: Christon 11, Gabriel 3, Bilan 19, Burnell 9, Massinburg 13, Tanfoglio, Della Valle 11, Petrucelli, Cobbins 2, Cournooh 2, Akele 9, Porto. Coach: Skinny.
PISTOIA: Willis 15, Della Rosa 9, Moore 15, Stoch, Saccaggi, Del Chiaro, Varnado 16, Wheatle 1, Hawkins 8, Ogbeide 6. Coach: Brienza.
Partial progressives: 23-12; 48-28; 61-55, 79-70
Partial singles: 23-12; 25-16; 13-27; 18-15
