Olimpia Milano post Brescia, that is, the almost certainty of second place in the rankings. There will be 40 minutes of passion next Sunday, but Virtus Bologna, with Casale’s victory against Tortona, has put a serious threat on the playoff grid.
But there is still a long way to go before thinking about advantages and disadvantages. This is demonstrated by the state of the rosters on Sunday, with Brescia without Christon and with Petrucelli on half duty, and Olimpia recovering Hall and waiting for Mirotic.
A grueling season says so: the field factor is a “plus”, but the talents and conditions of the moment are on the parquet. From now until June it is impossible to make predictions, so it is better to stay in the present. And above all, Brescia will be a terrible customer in this case. Especially at the start of the series.
The present presents an Olimpia that is far from perfect, but convincing. The objective is called the Scudetto, and after the knockouts with Virtus and Venezia there were six victories in a row, as well as two points with the former league leaders who brought their balance in the mini-group of the top four in the standings to 50%.
Starting 8/8 from 3 is a great help, but the fact that Brescia closed the paint was a known fact given the presence of centimeters, Miro Bilan, and athleticism, Cobbins and Gabriel. The red and whites, although distracted (11 lost), build well with the circulation of the ball and punish every centimeter allowed.
And, according to Messinian logic, talent and physical presence, they concede only 16 points in the fourth quarter, despite having a few too many amnesias on an offensive level. Brescia, second best attack in the championship with 87.03 points, stops at 77 against the best defense, which concedes 74.6.
This means having accomplished the task, also arriving at 83 without a player worth 15 to tie his shoes. Well, like the 19 points from a decisive Shabazz Napier also on a couple of defensive plays, and the 16 from a growing Shavon Shields.
Very well, that is Nicolò Melli, who does not digest the space left to him by Miro Bilan, hitting with the triple of the “stirrup” and giving a 13+8 to a Forum that sees a captain who is increasingly in better condition.
In addition to this there is the contribution of the team, with nine players over 10′, even if Denzel Valentine’s 4′ leaves many turnover issues open between now and the playoffs. And what about evil? Undoubtedly +7 at the end of the first quarter with 7 triples scored and two fouls on attempted 3-pointers.
The inconsistency of Johannes Voigtmann, as much as the German has become accustomed to waking up in the hot phase. And the moments of offensive pause. Nikola Mirotic, however, doesn’t give himself away to anyone. And the return is near.
