Jaylen BARFORD (28 minutes, 4/9 from 2, 1/4 from 3, 0/0 TL, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 11 points) Starts off great, with an 11-point first half, then loses confidence and gets lost . A foul on Vital’s three-pointer that screams revenge, but overall it’s enough. Rating 6
Cassius WINSTON (25 minutes, 3/8 from 2, 0/2 from 3, 8/11 TL, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 turnovers, 14 points). Report card done and redone about ten times in the space of a couple of actions. Genius and recklessness, yesterday plus the second of the two options (7 lost), but he scores three points in a sprint that weigh like a boulder and scores with free throws. Rating 6
Filippo GALLO (8 minutes, 1 rebound, 1 assist). He forces Baldasso into a turnover, serves Gombauld and earns him two free throws. Few things, but done well. Bravo. Rating 6.5.
Kwan CHEATHAM (31 minutes, 4/6 from 2, 4/7 from 3, 8 rebounds, 1 block, 20 points). He finally did what he was hired for: outside basket and presence in the area. If he always played at this level, Reggio would make the leap in quality. Super. Rating 8
Momo FAYE (33 minutes, 5/7 from 2, 5/7 free throws, 14 rebounds, 1 block, 15 points) The +1 basket with 2′ to go, when Reggio has water up its throat, the rebound in attack (with a foul suffered by Biligha) on +1 27” from the siren, the free throws scored coolly and with a rating of 31. The difference between victory and defeat comes from its tentacles. If he can stay on the pitch continuously, this team will take off. In NBA format, immense. Rating 8.5
Lorenzo UGLIETTI (19 minutes, 1/3 from 2, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 points). The man of things that often don’t end up on the scoresheet, but which in the long run make the difference. He covers the back of Winston who is conditioned by fouls, fouls a thousand balls and shakes up the defense. Rating 7.
Jamar SMITH (19 minutes, 4/5 from 2, 2/3 from 3, 2/2 TL, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 16 points). He enters the pitch possessed and scores eight consecutive points and gets back on track when it counts: a +8 bomb with 4′ to go and an assist behind the back for Cheatham that brings applause. A champion’s response after the empty lap with Pistoia. Rating 7.5
Stephane GOMBAULD (8 minutes, 4/4 tl 2 rebounds, 4 points) Faye’s anthology game leaves him with crumbs, but no demerits. Rating 6
Matteo CHILLO (8 minutes, 0/1 from 2, 1 rebound) Now he can’t physically handle the impact with his opponents. Constantly in trouble. Rating 5.5
Sasha GRANT (20 minutes, 2/3 from 2, 0/3 from 3, 0/0 TL, 6 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 4 points) He was immediately whistled for two very dubious offensive fouls and he did well not to get nervous. He makes himself useful, he deserved a few more minutes. Rating 6
Francesco Pioppi
