By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After CSKA Moscow, Olimpia Milano forced another EuroLeague team to score just 60 points. The Red Shoes shut down bottom-placed Zalgiris Kaunas 65 – 58 at home and registered their fourth win in a row to retain third place in the standings, at 13 – 6.
Zalgiris, that traveled to Milan without Josh Nebo (COVID-19) and is still missing Joffrey Lauvergne and Janis Strelnieks, fell to 3-16.
Devon Hall (12 points), Troy Daniels (12 points) and Sergio Rodriguez (10 points) scored in double figures from a Milano squad that was far from impressive on offense but was the usual force on the defensive end. Kyle Hines was crucial on that department in yet another match while contributing in many areas to finish with six points, six rebounds, four steals and a game-high 22 PIR.
“We’ve just got to be able to close that second half a little bit better,” Hall said. “I think we were up [14], and they cut it, hit some big shots. We have to do a better job of that, and not turn the ball over when they were switching. Making our reads a little bit faster, be more aggressive. But, obviously, it’s a win, which is the most important, and we are thankful for that. But we have to look at the film, and get better.”
Lukas Lekavicius and Marek Blazevic scored 13 apiece for Zalgiris while Tyler Cavanaugh had 12 points plus seven rebounds. After a balanced first quarter (20-20), the Lithuanian team fell behind and trailed 39 – 30 at halftime.
Milano retained a steady lead and went up even by 14 points, 54 – 40 near the end of the third period. Both teams struggled in the fourth quarter and it was Zalgiris who found some paths to the basket to get as close as seven points, 61 – 54 with 2:30 to play. Hall and Rodriguez combined for four unanswered points that pushed the visiting side back for good.
“We didn’t capitalize on our good defense with offense,” Zalgiris coach Jure Zdovc said. “We found opened shots, two or three times we just missed an easy pass to the open guy. We had a chance, but in the end we didn’t take this chance and Milan deserved to win.”
Messina happy only with the defensive effort
While a win is a win, Milano coach Ettore Messina wanted to see his players perform according to their high standards.
“It’s a win made of effort and very little quality,” Messina said. “Effort at this level is not enough. Since we have quality, we have to use it. And to use it, you have to put your focus, your brain your attention to details that tonight was basically below the level needed. We were fortunate to escape with a win because we work very hard. Effort-wise, I can never complain about my players.”
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball