Basketball, Serie A playoffs: Olimpia Milano directs the series: Sassari beaten 88-71 in game-1 of the semifinals

MEDIOLANUM FORUM DI ASSAGO (MI) – Milan wins race-1. And it does it twice. First with the attackshooting 32 points in a sparkling first quarter. Then with the defenceasphyxiating Dinamo between the two final periods, in response to the massive comeback with which the guests absorb the first double-digit disadvantage, returning to only one point away (50-49 al 23′).

Milan wins by exploiting the higher quality of the interpreters and the length of the bench. Il core does not betray. Shavon Shields, on-fire already from the tap-off, it is an infallible terminal. Will close with 16 points14 in the first half alone in which Olimpia reaches 50. Sergio Rodriguez preaches basketball, embodying the brilliant ferret of his best moments: 10 points, 8 assists. Gigi Datome uses his infinite wisdom to find areas of the field to explore at any time to hit with the shot from outside (13). And Kyle Hinesobserved special in the duel with Miro Bilan, is transformed into a multifaceted mythological figure with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 assists for 21 evaluation.

But the rock stars are not enough to build and maintain the advantage in front of a Sassari inspired by the accelerations of Gerald Robinson (17 points, 12 in the first half), from the awakening of Miro Bilan after a complex start (16 + 6 rebounds) and from defensive sacrifice of Filip Kruslin on Rodriguez, derailed for a few moments at the beginning of the second half.

So, coach Ettore Messina fishes key resources from his bench. A blaze of Ben Bentil (10), very rocky also in its metacampo, allows Olimpia to breathe after the great host comeback. And then it is the second quintet to build the new break that breaks the balance in a definitive way. Pippo Ricci (9 + 4 rebounds), in pure playoff version, rediscovers that brilliance and effectiveness that prompted Olimpia to bet on him in the summer. Devon Hall, despite some premature problem of fouls, he raises a defensive wall on the perimeter. The points come from Tommaso Baldasso (7) e Jerian Grant (9 with 3/5 from the bow), confident, inserted and productive. The return of Nik Melli after a month of absence it can be managed gradually: eight minutes to regain confidence with the sensations of important matches, however enhanced by the 6 rebounds captured.

AX Armani Exchange Milan – Banco di Sardegna Sassari 88-71

• Milano: Rodriguez 10, Shields 16, Datome 13, Bentil 10, Hines 8; Grant 9, Ricci 9, Biligha 2, Baldasso 7, Alviti 1, Melli, Hall 3. All .: Messina.
• Sassari: Robinson 17, Kruslin, Bendzius 14, Burnell 5, Bilan 16; Treier 8, Gentile 7, Diop 2, Logan, Devecchi 2. Ne: Gandini, Pitirra. All .: Bucchi.

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Relive race-1 of the semi-finals AX Armani Exchange Milano – Banco di Sardegna Sassari in VOD (Premium Content)