By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Restoring a safe cushion in the second half of Game 2, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan defeated Germani Brescia, 77-66.
Competing in the Semifinals of Italy’s LBA UnipolSai Playoffs, a second straight win for Le Scarpette Rosse in Unipol Forum created a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five series on Monday.
Making 8/17 field goals, including four three-pointers, Nikola Mirotic drew up a game-high 21 points to go with seven rebounds. Shavon Shields chipped in 16 points with 4/6 from the field. Maodo Lo, Alex Poythress, Billy Baron, and Denzel Valentine remained sidelined for the defending LBA champions.
Ettore Messina’s side went up by 15 points in the first quarter. With the visitors coming back and tying the game midway through the third period, a positive response was required to protect the homecourt advantage. One more win across three potential opportunities would clinch a berth in the championship series.
For the team guided by Alessandro Magro, C.J. Massinburg tallied a team-high 12 points in Game 2.
LBA Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-five)
A – Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Bertram Derthona Tortona 3-2 (92-80, 83-77, 81-91, 75-82, 92-63)
B – Umana Reyer Venice – UnaHotels Reggio Emilia 3-2 (74-82, 83-75, 66-78, 95-92, 83-67)
C – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Dolomiti Energia Trento 3-1 (84-85, 104-93, 83-68, 87-69)
D – Germani Brescia – Estra Pistoia 3-0 (79-70, 97-75, 98-77)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Umana Reyer Venice 2-0 (103-89, 79-78)
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Germani Brescia 2-0 (95-89, 77-66)
Finals (best-of-five)
Winners of Semifinals
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net