Olimpia got off to a great start to the semi-final series, Dinamo remained at the post. At the Forum there is no story in the first game: 95-72, but already 52-29 at halftime.
The Italian champions started the match putting great physicality in defense and hitting in transition. Immediately 3/3 of the long Voigtmann from the bow (he swept the duel with Bendzius) and then also Shields and Napier to hit from three, with Bucchi's team which almost always appeared a lap behind. And he struggled like crazy in attack, as evidenced by the just 48 points scored in 30 minutes
The watchword is to reset and think about Monday's match two which will still be played at the Forum.
The record. Shock start: center Vogitmann scores three triples, Shields in transition puts in the basket for 16-5 after 4'. Coach Bucchi is forced to call time out and shortly after starts making changes. However, Milan has taken the inertia and with Shields reaches +15.
Sassari struggles like crazy against the Euroleague defense of Olimpia, even if at least it limits the opponent's transition. In the second quarter Diop and Robinson try to push Banco, but there's really no match: -23 at rest.
Upon returning to the field, Milan continues to grind the game with an intensity much higher than that of Banco, which ends up at -30. The last quarter serves at least to make Dinamo regain some confidence in attack and slightly reduce the gap.
The tables
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan : Pangos 9 Tonut 9 Melli 9 Baron 10 Napier 7 Ricci 2 Biligha, Baldasso, Shields 10 Hines 7 Datome 10 Voigtmann 22 All. Messina
Banco di Sardegna Sassari : Jones 7 Robinson 11 Dowe 13 Kruslin 3 Devecchi, Treier 3 Chessane, Stephens 8 Bendzius 6 Gentile 6 Raspino 2 Diop 13 All. Bucchi.