Olimpia Milano and Virtus Bologna face each other in game 4, 48 hours after game 3 with a very heated and discussed finale. Will it be a celebration for Olimpia’s championship or for Virtus’ recovery and game 5?
OLIMPIA MILANO QUINTET: Napier, Tonut, Shields, Mirotic, Melli.
VIRTUS QUINTET SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA: Hackett, Lundberg, Abass, Mickey, Shengelia.
Olimpia Milano starts better, in the wake of the enthusiasm for the victory in the sprint of game 3. Nikola Mirotic immediately takes responsibility, free throws and points in this start. An immediate problem for Virtus Bologna, with Jordan Mickey immediately dealing with foul problems. Milano tries to escape and forces Coach Banchi to time out. Virtus Bologna, however, does not give up and reacts with pride. Isaia Cordinier in the NBA version and an immense Alessandro Pajola in defense and good in attack at putting the rhythm in place, are the key to the Bologna team’s super final quarter. +1 Virtus after 10 minutes of play.
Battle for every ball and a few too many errors on both sides in this start to the second quarter. Nikola Mirotic wins foul after foul and with numerous trips to the line (8 out of 8) he reaches his personal double figure. The balance is broken again by the player with a Spanish passport, but also by a Melli who is super in defense and scorer of important points in attack. Napier’s triple gives Olimpia Milano the maximum advantage at +8. Virtus tries, but there is an extra luxury Nikola Mirotic this evening. 18 points at half-time, 7 fouls suffered and a 10-point lead for his Olimpia Milano at half-time.
Olimpia Milano enters the field and immediately tries to “kill” the match and Virtus Bologna’s hopes of a comeback. Partial score of 10-0 for Ettore Messina’s men and +20 which seems to be a very important boost to the match and the series. Lots of nervousness and difficulty finding points and defending well for Virtus Bologna who suffered terribly in this quarter. Shavon Shields interrupts, scoring from 3, the Virtus comeback attempt that had attempted with difficulty in the final minutes. +16 for Olimpia Milano 10 minutes from time.
Abi Abass’ pride is proof that Virtus Bologna wants to try at all costs. The former Olimpia player scores from long range and causes some trivial Milanese turnovers with the score returning to under the double-digit deficit with the basket and foul by Iffe Lundberg. In the moment of maximum difficulty in Milan, who if not Nikola Mirotic? Crazy triple from the former Barça player who rejects Bologna’s comeback intentions. Olimpia Milano, with a reassuring lead, manages the advantage well and risks practically nothing. Game 4 belongs to Olimpia Milano, and the party is ready.
OLIMPIA MILANO IS ITALIAN CHAMPIONS FOR THE 31ST TIME!
OLIMPIA MILANO – VIRTUS BOLOGNA 85-73 (22-23, 24-13, 20-14, 19-23)
MVP BasketballInside: N.Mirotic
OLIMPIA MILAN: Mirotic 32, Melli 12, Hall 8, Shields 8, Flaccadori 7, Tonut 7, Voigtmann 4, Napier 3, Hines 2.
VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA: Cordinier 21, Lundberg 12, Polonara 12, Abass 9, Dunston 8, Hackett 5, Shengelia 4, Pajola 2, Belinelli, Mickey.
