Logiman Orzinuovi continued its relentless push in the Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro (LNP) Serie A2, securing a hard-fought victory over Assigeco Piacenza in a match defined by resilience and tactical discipline. The game, played at the PalaGeorge in Montichiari on April 5, 2025, saw Orzinuovi withstand a late surge from Piacenza to claim a 78-74 win, extending their winning streak to four games and solidifying their position in the playoff hunt.
From the opening tip, the contest lived up to its billing as a tight, physical affair. Assigeco Piacenza, still chasing a postseason berth, came out aggressive, using their size advantage in the paint to build an early lead. Center Tommaso Rossi dominated the boards early, grabbing five rebounds in the first quarter alone, even as guard Luca Moretti pushed the tempo with quick transition baskets. Orzinuovi, however, weathered the storm through balanced scoring and defensive rotations, led by veteran point guard Marco Bellini, who orchestrated the offense with poise despite constant pressure.
The turning point came midway through the second quarter when Orzinuovi shifted to a more aggressive half-court trap, forcing Piacenza into 12 turnovers in the frame. Bellini capitalized, dishing out six assists and hitting two timely three-pointers to spark a 12-0 run that gave Orzinuovi a 42-34 halftime lead. Head coach Andrea Zanelli praised the adjustment after the game, saying, “We knew we had to disrupt their rhythm. The guys bought into the defensive scheme and it created simple opportunities for us.”
Piacenza refused to fold. After a scoreless stretch to open the third quarter, they responded with a 15-4 run capped by a driving layup from forward Matteo Nobile, cutting the deficit to one point with 6:12 left in the period. Rossi finished with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Nobile added 16 points and five assists, keeping Piacenza within striking distance throughout the second half.
But Orzinuovi’s depth proved decisive. Bench contributor Alessandro Rizzo, often overlooked in box scores, provided a spark with eight points and four offensive rebounds in the final eight minutes. His putback basket with 2:18 remaining extended the lead to five, and Bellini sealed it with two free throws after drawing a foul on a driving layup. Rizzo’s effort embodied the team’s identity — unselfish, energetic, and relentless.
Statistically, Orzinuovi shot 46% from the field compared to Piacenza’s 41%, but the real difference was in second-chance points. Orzinuovi outscored Piacenza 14-6 on offensive rebounds, a direct result of their commitment to crashing the glass despite being undersized. Bellini finished with 15 points, 10 assists, and zero turnovers — a near-perfect line for a floor general in a high-stakes game. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 10:0 was the best among all LNP guards in games with at least 10 assists this season, according to official league stats.
The win moves Orzinuovi to 22-12 on the season, placing them sixth in the Serie A2 Green Group standings with two games remaining. Piacenza falls to 18-16, now needing facilitate from other results to clinch a playoff spot with just one game left. The loss complicates their path, as they trail eighth-place Palestrina by two games with Palestrina holding the tiebreaker.
Looking ahead, Orzinuovi faces a critical road trip to face second-place Verona Verona on April 12, a team that beat them by 15 points earlier in the season. A win there would all but guarantee a home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Piacenza, meanwhile, hosts already-eliminated Jesi in their season finale on April 13 — a must-win scenario that now requires external help to matter.
For fans following the LNP playoff race, this game underscored the fine margins defining the stretch run. Orzinuovi’s ability to execute under pressure, defend without fouling excessively (they committed only 18 fouls to Piacenza’s 22), and receive contributions beyond their starters highlights why they’ve been one of the most consistent teams in the league since February.
As the regular season winds down, every possession carries weight. Orzinuovi’s march continues — not with flash, but with focus. And in a league where toughness often decides fate, that may be enough to carry them deep into the postseason.
The next official update on the LNP Serie A2 playoff picture will come after April 13’s final games, with the league set to release seeding and matchup details on April 14. Fans can follow live updates and official standings via the Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro website.
What did you think of Orzinuovi’s performance? Share your take in the comments below, and pass this along to anyone following the Italian basketball playoff race.
