Olimpia Milano devours VL Pesaro 102-70 in the Easter match, returns to -2 from Virtus Bologna

The reaction of the VL is inexistent. Olimpia returns from the changing rooms keeping the engine revs very high and spreads even touching the +27turning the entire second half into a very long garbage-time with the technical-competitive contents typical of a Summer League match. The Armani rides towards the finish line at full speed, going over the top triple figure at the buzzer: it’s the first time this has happened in the league this season.

After the boot soft of the quintet of veterans, coach Ettore Messina finds substance off the benchready to contribute in a second period dominated by the 31-9. Stand out the solid performance of Brandon Davies (16+6 rebounds in 22 minutes), relentless with his moves in the low post. The now assured regularity of Goofy Ricci (9 with 3/3 shooting). The great impact of Thomas Baldasso (8+4 assists). The brilliant recovery of Devon Hall (8). The shrewd direction of Kevin Pangos (7+5 assists), good at supporting the sleepy start of Shabazz Napier.

But it is Napier himself who, frustrated after shooting three consecutive triples on the rim, goes wild with two central anthology quarters. The ex-Heat never misses a shot, hammering the opponent’s retina mercilessly. He will close as top-scorer at odds 22, with 5/10 from the bow. The awakening of the general returns to Olympia a total offensive completeness. To complement the extremely positive performance of Shavon Shields (15), appeared in full physical shape after the long stop, and at the final feat of Datom’s Teeth (11 with 3/5 from three), finally incisive after the many problems suffered during the season.

Pesaro, at sixth defeat in the last seven gamesdefinitively loses contact from the playoff area, and shows a general resigned and compliant attitude. The illusion of being able to manage the race pace fades away in a matter of minutes. And the long drought at the start of the second period draws a completely different game. Made of enormous suffering, serious defensive distractions e attacks managed in a rusty way. The turnovers abound (18 in the end). You don’t need the thrusters of Kwan Cheatham (16 with 4/5 from three), awakened with the result already compromised) and the 15 of the ex, David Moretti.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Carpegna Ham Pesaro 102-70

• Milano: Datome 11, Melli 5, Napier 22, Shields 15, Hines; Davies 16, Ricci 11, Hall 8, Baldasso 9, Pangos 7. Ne: Tonut, Biligha. All.: Messina.
• Pesaro: Kravic 2, Abdur-Rahkman 4, Moretti 15, Charalampopoulos 11, Cheatham 16; Tambone 7, Dye 2, Delfino, Visconti 6, Totè 7. All.: Give.