Virtus with thrill goes 2-0 against Venice. They won 79-78 with Cordinier’s decisive free throws in the final sprint, but as in game 1, Bologna first squandered a 22-point lead taken in the third quarter. From there instead arose a match of suffering, little clarity and many errors, in front of a Venice with more energy that forced them to a photo finish, then winning. Which now gives the black Vu the chance to close the series in game 3. 14 points for Belinelli, 11 for Polonara and 10 for the flying Frenchman with the two from the line as heavy as uranium. For Venezia 14 points each for Simms and Parks who plundered the Juventus area in the final comeback, which then failed. The first half saw Vu dominate with a rocket start, 14-2 and then 26-7, and a team that ran and scored with ease, seeking and finding juice from a tonic Dunston.
It looked like a goal, then it was enough to jam the maneuver a bit, throw away a few too many balls, and Venezia slowly began to make a basket. The Granata team was trying to return as in game 1, but the hailstorm of a wild Belinelli which lasted the entire second quarter, pushed them back heavily, 47-28, and so at the break the black Vu went up 47-30 and the inertia all on his side. 14 points for the captain and a collective 70% from three which gave wings to a Bologna team that rotated all twelve players.
Vu still in control after a series of +19, finally found the wind at the beginning of the third quarter to try to feel confident. Shengelia and Pajola instead committed their fourth foul and Vu went into hibernation for a few minutes; Reyer went back up to -15. And from an unsportsmanlike call to Mascolo Venezia he got a -7 at the end of the third quarter and a lot of confidence. 17-27 for Reyer in the half and the last 10′ were to suffer, with only 7 points to defend for Vu. Venezia found her long players: 71-67 5 ‘from the siren.
Casarin put Veneto at -2 from the corner, 72-70 at 4′, and Parks signed the overtaking at 2′ 40” with a layup: 73-74 and Vu no longer with strength. 76 equal to 1′ 17”, Hackett from the line at 37” made it 77-78. Tucker’s background and 20″ for the last Virtus assault: Simms’ foul on Cordinier’s entry 4″ from the line, the Frenchman coolly scores the 79-78 by scoring both free throws. There’s no more time for Reyer.
Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday at PalaTaliercio.
