By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan prevailed over Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz with 83-82 in Round 19 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Baskonia gave it all for a comeback in the final minute, and with the score tied to 80 points, Jordan Theodore stepped up and gave to his team the win. He made the biggest shot of the game, a layup with just six-tenths of the seconds left, that decided the final score and the outcome of the game.
The star: Theodore, of course, who sealed the fate of the game and finished with 16 points and 8 assists. While he had real help from the rest of the team, he was the first among equals.
The game: Rodrigue Beaubois took charge for the hosts in the first period, pacing his team with an early 9-2 lead, the with a three-pointer by Vladimir Micov, the Italian side surpassed (14-11, 6′). Milano had the upper hand after the end of the first period, 22-19.
Kevin Jones tied the score in the get-go of the second period, while Olimpia kept its short advantage with great attempts from inside the paint, leading 47-36 at halftime. Notably, Simone Pianigiani’s squad had 50% efficiency from the 3-point line.
Things didn’t change much early in the third period, as the visiting side kept its double-digit lead (59-48 at 25′). Jayson Granger buried an important long-range shot for the hosts, yet there was still ground to cover by the end of the quarter, as Milano kept its safety net with 65-56. Baskonia did come back, but in the end, it was all about Theodore.
The visiting side finishes the double-week with two wins and a 6-13 record, while the Vitoria side falls to 8-11.