By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BOLOGNA, Italy – It’s the greatest rivalry of Italian basketball in recent times, so it doesn’t surprise to see Virtus Bologna and Olimpia Milano facing each other four times this season already in March.
Ahead of the umpteenth chapter of such a significant antagonism, Luca Banchi’s team was up 2-1 thanks to the victories in the Italian Supercup and the EuroLeague, while the red-and-white side got the upper hand in the LBA back in December. Now, the gap is even wider.
Going up even by 16 points (35-19) in the second quarter, Virtus Bologna always took control of the Italian derby, ending it on top 84-75 in a three-point shooting party: Luca Banchi’s team shot 17/34 from downtown, while Milano could convert only 10/27 from deep.
Marco Belinelli was a big reason why the home side prevailed against Milano, turning the tables after the last EuroLeague duties for both Italian teams. The soon-to-be 38-year-old specialist led his team in scoring with 17 points over 5/7 from deep.
Belinelli is magic!
Due triple ammazzagambe in 18″#EurosportBASKET | #LBASerieA | @VirtusSegafredo pic.twitter.com/3knmRDQEad
— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) March 10, 2024
Tornike Shengelia went close to a double-double with 11 points and 9 rebounds, while former Milano’s playmaker Daniel Hackett had some crunch plays down the stretch, ending with 10 points. Iffe Lundberg added 16 points and 5 assists in his team’s win.
“A very balanced game, vibrant. They came to Bologna playing like we thought, very consistently and well-prepared. We’re affected by our efforts in the EuroLeague, these games in the championship should deserve more time for resting and preparation”, Luca Banchi said.
On the losing side, which didn’t have Shavon Shields available, Shabazz Napier was the brightest reason to believe in the red-and-white comeback on the road, continuing his good moment of shape by scoring 24 points in the defeat.
Nikola Mirotic added 14 points and 4 rebounds in a game full of nerve tenses, followed by Johannes Voigtmann’s 13 points and 5 rebounds.
Ettore Messina provided an update on Shavon Shields in the aftermath. “I go home with good sensations, it wasn’t easy to come here without Shavon Shields after playing on Friday. Thankfully, it’s nothing structural, he had an issue with his Achilles tendon”, he commented.
Chronicle on another Virtus Bologna’s success
Milano’s backcourt started hot, with back-to-back three-pointers from Shabazz Napier and Maodo Lo, while Virtus quickly replied with 14 points combined between Iffe Lundberg and Awudu Abass.
The home side went on a 13-0 run between first and second quarter for the 16-point lead (35-19), with Marco Belinelli scoring 11 points in a row. Shabazz Napier brought Milano back under nine points (40-31) with a stepback three remembering the game-winner against Partizan. At halftime, Virtus led 47-37.
Virtus Bologna’s captain started the second half coming off the screen from deep. At 3:03 in the third and off one leg, Marco Belinelli took care of business once more, pushing Virtus up 61-47. After ten intense minutes, Giampaolo Ricci beat the buzzer from three-point range to reduce the deficit to 64-54.
With five straight points at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Shabazz Napier gave Milano glimpses of hope down 67-60. However, once again relying on three-pointers, the black-and-white powerhouse extended the lead once again at 73-62 with Daniel Hackett at 5:37 left.
Served by Shabazz Napier, Johannes Voigtmann successfully ended an alley-oop for the 75-69 at 3:02 on the clock. Bryant Dunston grabbed a rebound off his miss at the line that led to a clutch fadeaway shot from Awudu Abass. From then on, Virtus Bologna never turned his back again.
LBA Round 22
NutriBullet Treviso – UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia 71-63
Bertram Derthona Tortona – Generazione Vincente Napoli 97-72
Openjobmetis Varese – Happy Casa Brindisi 81-73
Umana Reyer Venice – Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari 71-78
Dolomiti Energia Trento – Carpegna Prosciutto Pesaro 109-82
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 84-75
Vanoli Cremona – Estra Pistoia (playing now)
Germani Brescia – Givova Scafati (playing now)
STANDINGS: Germani Brescia 32 (16-5), Virtus Segafredo Bologna 32 (16-6), EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 30 (15-7), Umana Reyer Venice 30 (15-7), UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia 24 (12-10), Generazione Vincente Napoli 24 (12-10)…
PHOTO CREDIT: Virtus Segafredo Bologna