By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Olimpia Milano faced no problems whatsoever against Pistoia at home, winning its ninth Lega A game in a row with a sound 104 – 70. This victory, which keeps Milano perfect in the league, marks the franchise’s best beginning since 1973/1974. Quite impressive.
No less than six players of the “Red Shoes” dropped double-digit numbers in scoring. The Serbian duo of Miroslav Raduljica (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Milan Macvan (14 points) bulldozed their opponents inside the paint, but it was the young star of Simone Fontecchio that perhaps outshined his teammates.
The 20-year-old player spent 24 minutes on the floor (due to Krunoslav Simon being sidelined) making the most out of them by being the top scorer of his team with 15 points.
Ricky Hickman, Mantas Kalnietis and Alessandro Gentile had 10 points each. The latter also dished 8 assists, taking care of play-making as well.
It took some time for coach Repesa’s to full get their wheels rolling, especially on defense. Nevertheless, despite Pistoia playing a solid offensive game in the first half, Milano was better enough to lead by twelve, 52 – 40 when the two teams went to the locker rooms.
That advantage got greatly expanded in the third quarter, when the hosts outplayed their opponents 27 – 16 to enter the final period ahead 79 – 57. There was no turning back after such a deficit for the guests.
For Pistoia, Terran Petteway scored 13 points and Ronald Moore 12.