To inaugurate the new name of its house, recently renamed Unipol Forum, theOlimpia Milan takes the road to the LBA Playoffs againstAquila Basketball Trento. This is the fifth playoff series between the red and white and the black and white in the last 10 years, i.e. since the Trentino club took part in the top flight: Armani has won 3 out of 4 and has won all the matches valid for a quarter-final.
Olimpia surprisingly returns to the house Billy Baron; Daulton Hommes he is making his absolute debut on coach Galbiati’s roster.
Fourth quarter
Ingenuity on the part of Ellis, who is 9 meters from the rim, at the limit of 24″: 3/3 and -2 Milan. Hubb has plenty of forcing, Mirotic beats Hommes and equalizes with the clock stopped. Shields twice puts the team ahead EA7, Hubb and Hommes’ first score keep the tie 6′ from the end, Baldwin passes at the rim, then unloads for Hommes’ bomb. Trento returns to +5 and Messina timeout.
Third fourth
Olimpia starts with the penetration of Tonut and the 1/2 of Shields, but impacts Biligha again challenged by 6.75. Shields returns to the rim, Baldwin imitates him and after 3′ it’s 48-48. At 6’30” the number 44 from Trentino unloads the overtaking ball from the arc to Alviti and coach Messina stops the game. More points at the rim for Tonut, Baldwin and Napier, with the latter who after the foul immediately also converts the free for the coach whistled for Mooney. Lost ball Trento and Shields overtakes on the counterattack. Late close out and Forray punishes from distance, grotesque turnover by Melli, but Alviti goes on the counterattack smugly: Napier snatches the ball and flies to deposit a shot. 2+1. Back and forth between centres, with Cooke and Hines scoring from below, but with Baldwin’s and one the Bianconeri take the lead again and Break extends with Baldwin from 8 meters and Hubb in step back for maximum advantage Aquila, 62-67. Hines wastes from the line and Cooke mocks everyone, cutting and also depositing the +7. Shields 2/2 to close the 0-8, excellent shot missed by Hommes and, in traffic, at the end, he is also out. Shields’ initiative is in the 30th 64-69.
Second quarter
83″ pass in vain before Hubb’s step back 3, while at 7’30” Ellis shortens to -6 with Ellis’ mid-range support. Tonut’s stop and shot unlocks EA7 after almost 3′. Napier sends a ball into the stands and denies the substitute Shields a high five. Towards the middle of the half Mirotic serves Mirotic with his back to the basket to make it 36-30 and slow down Dolomiti Energia’s return. Forray with a floater from him, Alviti with the triple and Cooke with the dunk on the counterattack: 7 points in less than a minute for Trento, 38-37 and Messina timeout. Fundamental triple by Melli, served by Shields, but Cooke responds in the mismatch against Hall and Ellis with free throws to equalize. Milan’s lost possessions increase. Forray and Alviti come close to overtaking, who 47″ from the break finds Ellis again from the line after having exposed Mirotic on the dribble. Hall is also on the line for the new tie, then Ellis narrowly misses the lay-up at the end: 43-43 after 20′.
First quarter
Napier, Tonut, Shields, Mirotic, Melli vs Baldwin, Forray, Mooney, Alviti, Biligha
First winning possession for both sides: he penetrates and unloads for Forray’s triple, Shields stops and shoots. Mirotic 2/2 for 4-3 after 76″. Shields freed for the +4 bomb, Biligha responds, on an assist from Baldwin, and Mooney with a triple in transition, but at 6’51” Milan is ahead again with other lkiberi signed Mirotic. Exchange from 6.75 between Baldwin and Napier, then he hits Mirotic after causing Alviti’s second foul. Floater Forray and tap-in Mellin for 17-13 at the half. First entry for Hommes. He continued to score until Olimpia almost lost the ball, which was transformed into Napier’s triple for 24-17. Galbiati timeout at 3’15”. Cooke, placed in the corner, commits 5″ and allows Baron to enter the field, before Shields finds the points of +10 with 2′ left. At 1’18” there was a roar from the Forum due to Baron’s step-back bomb, then two dunks from Cooke put an end to an 11-0 break. Instead it was Hines who beat the siren for the 32-21 after 10′.
Formations
Milan: Bortolani, Tonut, Melli, Baron, Napier, Ricci, Flaccadori, Hall, Caruso, Shields, Mirotic, Hines; coach Messina
Trent: Ellis, Hubb, Alviti, Conti, Forray, Cooke, Biligha, Mooney, Hommes, Baldwin, Diarra; coach Galbiati
