Scudetto playoff, Dinamo fights on an equal footing but gives in to Milan 80-75 in the sprint
A great Bendzius is answered by the best Datome of the season. Olimpia (2-0 up) can close the accounts on Thursday in Sassari
Two to zero for Milan, but this time Sassari honors the challenge on the field of the Italian champions. At the Forum it ends 80-75 for Olimpia who can close the accounts on Thursday at the PalaSerradimigni. It's a real shame because Dinamo played an excellent first half and was then able to recover from -10 but incredibly threw the ball in the action which could lead to overtaking a few seconds from the end. The great Bendzius was answered by Datome who "waited" for the challenge at the Banco di Sardegna to make the best match of the championship.
The record. Same quintet, but much better approach: Sassari defends and Bendzius immediately puts in two triples and two free throws for the first draw, 5-12 in the 5th minute. With aggressiveness in defense, on rebounds and on loose balls comes fluidity in attack and Dinamo reaches +8 in the 9th minute.
Robinson doesn't score from outside, but does it on goal for himself and Diop: 16-25 in the 12th minute. Banco would run away if it weren't for a very hot Datome (8 points) and a couple of referee calls in favor of Milan: Diop's block on Hines considered a foul and then a coach for Bucchi, 26-27 in the 14th minute. Two triples from Baron bring Milan forward: 36-33 in the 18th minute. The biancoblù react with a triple from Bendzius and a rainbow from Dowe and we go to the break at -1 with the number of fouls screeching: 7 whistled at Olimpia and 14 at Sassari.
Dowe and Stephens have a good dialogue, Napier is the engine of the Olimpia game. However, Dinamo was unable to recover the inertia because they shot badly from three points with all the wingers except Bendzius. Datome is unleashed and signs the 63-56 at the beginning of the last quarter.
Banco di Sardegna also ends up at -10 but is proud of the last comeback, it gets to -2 but Jones throws the ball away from the draw or overtaking. And from the line Milan keeps the victory.
The tables
EA7 Emporio Armani Milano : Pangos 2 Tonut, Melli 4 Baron 12 Napier 14 Ricci, Alviti ne, Baldasso ne, Shields 14 Hines 6 Datome 19 Voigtmann 8 All. Messina.
Banco di Sardegna Sassari : Jones 7 Robinson 6 Dowe 12 Kruslin 3 Devecchi, Treier 4 Chessane, Stephens 10 Bendzius 21 Gentile 2 Raspino, Diop 10 All. Bucchi.
