By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
MILAN, Italy – In front of several NBA players who are attending NBPA’s One Court project in Milan, Olimpia and Virtus Bologna put up a balanced spectacle for Game 3 of the LBA Finals. Getting up 2-1 with one win left to be proclaimed Italian champions, Milan won 81-78 at home.
After two sloppy games scoring-wise, Nikola Mirotic emerged as his team’s highest scorer with 21 points. Shabazz Napier also had bigger playmaking duties, ending with 14 points and 6 assists, while Shavon Shields brought 13 points to the table despite shooting 0/6 from beyond the arc.
Nicolò Melli went close to the double-double with 6 points and 9 rebounds, and most importantly he secured his team’s victory by blocking Iffe Lundberg’s attempt in Virtus Bologna’s final possession.
“A very tough game, where our fans supported us in every moment. Two different games between the two halves. We could at least limit their three-point attempts, we built a lot of good shots. These are the toughest games to win, there’s a lot of pressure”, Ettore Messina said after the win.
Following his amazing performance a few days ago, Alessandro Pajola doubled it with 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists. Confirmed on the team’s roster after missing Game 1 and having a valuable performance in Game 2, Jordan Mickey had 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
“Another game of high intensity, we could interpret it. We couldn’t complete the job in the end, but we maintained determination and pride to come back in 48 hours. It will be once again a vibrant game, we need to bring this series to Game 5”, Luca Banchi shared in the aftermath.
He also addressed the referees’ choice to change possession after Virtus Bologna’s last attempt to tie the game, giving the ball back to Milan. “The decision on the last possession is unexplainable, and sconcertant. We can’t lose faith, and keep the team focused”, he continued.
Ettore Messina’s team now needs another victory at home to close the series and lift the Italian league trophy for the third year in a row, once again against the black-and-white powerhouse from Bologna. Game 4 will be played on June 13 at 20:30 CET, once again in Unipol Forum.
Game 3 brought way more balance to the table
Unlike the first two games of the series in Bologna, where the teams equally shared a first dominant control on the encounter, Game 3 started with back-and-forth possessions on both sides. Milan first tried to create separation with 2:55 on the clock when Nikola Mirotic converted a 2+1 play. The first quarter ended with Iffe Lundberg and Devon Hall banking in from three, as the home side led 29-25.
The Danish guard continued his great night by pulling up from two at 7:36 left in the second, still perfect from the field. Stealing the ball and running in transition for the first six-point margin of the game (38-32), Diego Flaccadori gave Ettore Messina’s team space to breathe. With 1:33 to go before halftime, Shabazz Napier shared a beautiful assist to Nikola Mirotic, who only had to convert the layup. Beating the buzzer from three-point range, Alessandro Pajola reduced the gap to 46-44.
Tying the game to open the third quarter, Marco Belinelli put Virtus Bologna back in contention, but Stefano Tonut quickly replied with the same weapon. After Tornike Shengelia was awarded an offensive foul, the momentum changed at 4:22 on the clock in the third, as Johannes Voitgmann’s shot from midrange forced Luca Banchi’s timeout. Things remained balanced entering the fourth, with Milan up 62-59 following Jordan Mickey’s finger roll.
Bryant Dunston gave Virtus Bologna the first lead after a lot of time at the beginning of the fourth, as the black-and-white side approached the final quarter better. However, the red-and-white home side turned it around rapidly with a 9-2 scoring run, interrupted by Awudu Abass’ three-pointer. Iffe Lundberg brought the gap back to one single point (71-70) later on, but Shavon Shields emerged as the superstar he is with a clutch fadeaway over Toko Shengelia.
With 1:15 left until the end of Game 3, the Georgian power forward kept Virtus Bologna close by a single possession, with Ettore Messina’s team up 79-76. Shabazz Napier missed the shot to extend the margin, and Toko Shengelia had another layup to decrease the gap once again but got caught later on with the ball on his feet, giving Milan the opportunity to go all the way until the end with the ball. Nikola Mirotic was sent to the line and converted both free throws before Nik Melli could turn crucial.
LBA Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-five)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Bertram Derthona Tortona 3-2 (92-80, 83-77, 81-91, 75-82, 92-63)
Umana Reyer Venice – UnaHotels Reggio Emilia 3-2 (74-82, 83-75, 66-78, 95-92, 83-67)
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Dolomiti Energia Trento 3-1 (84-85, 104-93, 83-68, 87-69)
Germani Brescia – Estra Pistoia 3-0 (79-70, 97-75, 98-77)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Umana Reyer Venice 3-1 (103-89, 79-78, 73-78, 96-81)
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Germani Brescia 3-0 (95-89, 77-66, 96-89)
Finals (best-of-five)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 1-2 (75-86, 72-64, 81-78)
PHOTO CREDIT: EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
Read all the latest news from the basketball world