Basketball, Serie A: Bologna in ease, Varese wins again

Twenty-first day of Serie A basketball with all the teams on the field, after the success of Fortitudo against Treviso in the advance.

Virtus Bologna-Naples 86-75

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Everything is easy for Virtus who, in a frenetic match, fold Naples in front of Daniel Hackett, the last market coup presented before the match by president Zanetti and CEO Baraldi. Bologna starts 10-0 after just 73 ”thanks to an unsportsmanlike record by Rich, then can get in control with the flights of Hervey, the most inspired in attack, hitting a +18 (42-24) without breaking a sweat. Napoli, without Lynch destined for the cut, misses a lot in shooting with too hasty solutions. The reaction of the visiting team ends in the middle of the third quarter with Parks – 8 (49-41). The entries of Cordinier and Mannion, author of two triples and a stubborn test, keep Naples at a distance which also ends at -19. Last quarter good only for the statistics, Napoli avoids the technical knockout, Bologna ends up smoothly.

Virtue Hervey 16, Mannion 13, Belinelli 13
Naples Parks 13, Velicka 12, Lombardi 10

Trieste-Venice 65-78

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Allianz returns in front of its fans with the new Alexander, Reyer deals with injuries by leaving Echodas and Vitali out and bringing Tonut on the bench only to honor the signature. Despite the absences, solid game for Walter De Raffaele’s team, good at lengthening at the end of the first quarter managing with great maturity the opponents comeback attempts. Match-winner an excellent Jordan Theodore well supported by Jeff Brooks, they were the men who scored the challenge. Trieste to be reviewed, in teamwork and in the performances of the singles with the newcomer Ty-Shon Alexander, the most awaited man, who aroused great perplexity. Balanced start, five minutes with the teams alternating in command (Allianz last advantage over 12-11) then the first break of the match propitious Theodore. Thirteen almost consecutive points from the play orogranata (3/3 from three points) to dig the first break allowing his Reyer to stretch at 14-19 before closing the first quarter at 16-24. Sterile attacks in the opening of the second quarter, Reyer takes advantage of the offensive difficulties of the Trieste team to extend further by touching the maximum advantage on the 21-35 signed by Watt. Cavaliero enters and unlocks the Allianz: two triples by the Trieste player and Mian’s bomb sign the 9-0 run that puts the hosts back in the match at 30-35 with one minute on the clock. Reyer branded final, Theodore again (18 points, 6/9 from the field) and Bramos sign the baskets that send the teams to rest at 30-41. Second time with Reyer good at managing, Trieste tries to shake off by returning to minus six at 49-55 before the new Venetian extension that Theodore and Brooks propitiate for the 50-64 at the end of the third quarter. De Nicolao, at the opening of the last set, for the 50-67 which effectively closes the challenge. The Allianz tries to reopen it but never falls below the double figure of disadvantage surrendering to the solidity of an opponent who comes out of the Dome with a precious success for his ranking.

Trieste Banks 16, Konate 14, Davis 12
Venezia Theodore 25, Brooks 16, De Nicolao 10

Varese-Cremona 90-78

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The Openjobmetis never stops and, revealing the talent of Tomas Woldetensae to the Italian basketball team (7/10 from 6.75 plus 7 rebounds, for an excellent 29 rating), gives the Masnago public (sold out for 60% allowed) the sixth victory out of the seven games played since Johan Roijakkers has been on the red and white bench At the start, with Sorokas in evidence (7 points immediately), Varese is looking for an extension (9-5 in the 3 ‘). Cremona, however, is solid and signs a 9-2 break, taking advantage of Dime’s athleticism inside the colored area (11-14 at 4’30 “). Meanwhile Keene warms his hand and Beane snaps on the counterattack for the internal + 8 (35-27 at 14 ‘). And if the Harris-Tinkle duo guarantees Vanoli offensive ideas (together 24 points in the 20 ‘), coach Roijakkers has good feedback from the bench with Woldetensae and Reyes to go to the long interval with the first useful margin in double figures (48-38) . Vanoli does not yield and Pecchia’s intensity brings her back to -4 (59-55 at 26 ‘), but it is the second triple from Woldentensae to close the third quarter with +11 for the home quintet (+ 68-57) . The Openjobmetis then finds the maximum advantage in the 36th minute with two triples from Reyes (+13 83-70) before securing the knockout blow with a tuft of the usual Woldentesae.

Varese Woldentesae 21, Sorokas 19, Vene 14
Cremona Tinkle 20, Dime e Harris 18

Brindisi-Brescia 83-88

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Brescia is confirmed as a steamroller: he suffers, dominates and deservedly wins without Amedeo Della Valle (intestinal virus) against Brindisi, who with the absence of Chappel (official termination of the contract, Harrison returns), plays at par for the whole game derailing only in the final. The 5-0 at the start of the Happy Casa does not scare the imprecise Germani both under the basket and from distance. Redivo’s two consecutive triples (three in total so far) immediately inflamed the hosts (7 ‘, 15-7), who still have something to record in defense. Brescia, albeit willing in attack, misses Della Valle: he shoots with 29% from the field, never finding the way to the basket for two minutes. Brindisi takes advantage of this by extending once again up to +14 (9 ‘, 26-12), noting an excellent 57% from the arc. Without a leading actor in attack for the guests the task for Brindisi becomes even easier especially in the painting where the home team can do what they want. Petrucelli is the only one who manages to undermine the certainties of the hosts. A three-point shot and a counterattack for Mitrou-Long’s basket are worth an unexpected -3 (17 ‘, 33-30). The hang-up operation ends at 50 ”from the interval with a three-point shot by the same American guard, who sets the score in a tie at 39. In the second half another game is played. It is Germani who has the inertia on her side and not only for having put her nose in front for the first time since the start of the race. The 5-0 at the beginning of the third quarter (39-44) leaves the people of Brindisi able, however, to return in an amen to give signs of life again. Petrocelli from the bow becomes a sentence for the defense of the hosts (27 ‘, 45-49) who are reborn in the last 10 “of the third fraction with a 5-0 break resulting from Zanelli’s trip to the line and the triple on the siren by Gaspardo (59-54). A treasure that Brescia clears with two possessions in the first minute of the last quarter, bringing the situation back into total balance. Germani proves more lucid: Mitrou-Long from 6.75 tries to engineer a new escape, with the participation of Laquintana (33 ‘, 61-65). Brindisi is always on the spot with Gentile (two triples) and Redivo (one) who prove to be two reliable attackers (37 ‘, 71-69). Brescia does not give up: the pair Petrucelli and Mitrou-Long still pack the maximum advantage (38 ‘, 73-79) before Gentile’s second technician who is worth his expulsion and the free throw always the usual Mitrou-Long (73- 80). 1 ‘from the end Laquintana from the line updates the maximum advantage (74-82) effectively closing the game. In Brindisi all that remains is to reflect.

Brindisi Perkins 20, Gentile, Redivo 16, Gaspardo 12
Brescia Petrucelli 23, Laquintana, Mitrou-Long 20, Cobbins 10.

Reggio Emilia-Pesaro 86-77

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Reggio Emilia overtakes Pesaro and returns to victory dragged by the usual Cinciarini (18 points and 13 assists) and by an unleashed Johnson who places a double double with the career high for points scored (20 and 11 rebounds), while Zanotti is not enough for the guests ( 15 points) and Jones (13 points and 14 rebounds). Without Diouf (knee problem) and Olisevicius (Achilles tendon inflammation) coach Caja chooses the quintet made up of Cinciarini, Larson, Strautins, Johnson and Hopkins while Banchi responds with Moretti, Sanford, Lamb, Demetrio and Jones. Unahotels got off to a better start with 9 points from a super Johnson in control of the first quarter, while Pesaro limits the damage thanks to a triple from Sanford on the siren (25-17 at 10 ‘). In the second quarter the reaction of the guests is overwhelming and Pesaro scores 32 points with 7/9 from 3, moving forward by 6 (43-49) with Zanotti and Lamb absolute protagonists. Upon returning from the locker rooms, Reggio tightens his shirts in defense and changes gear in attack, placing a break of 22-12 inspired by the usual Cinciarini who allows his team to go forward (65-61 at 30 ‘). With Johnson’s baskets from below and a triple from Baldi Rossi (77-68 in the 36th minute) the hosts get their hands on the game and then close it definitively with Hopkins (83-75 in the 39th minute). Larson, who passed from Pesaro to Reggio Emilia just this week, made the free throws that set the final score.

Reggio Emilia Johnson 20, Cinciarini 18, Hopkins 15
Pesaro Zanotti 15, Sanford e Jones 13

Trento-Sassari 66-74

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Sassari passes against Trento and reaches it in the standings (with two fewer games played). Piero Bucchi’s team commands practically the whole game, ending with five players in double figures. Trento still remains dry of victories in this 2022 and suffers the thirteenth defeat in the last 12 games. Sassari starts off strong by exploiting the Robinson-Mekowulu axis and the problems of a distracted Trento (6 turnovers in the first quarter alone) which in attack fails to be incisive. The Sardinians soon reach +11, closing the first ten minutes of play ahead (15-23). L’Aquila recovers in the second quarter, dragged by the new arrival Dominique Johnson, and goes to only one possession away (29-31). Conti’s basket is equal to 31, Williams’ support for the basket after Diop’s dunk brings the teams to rest at 33-33. Two Reynolds three-pointers bring Trento forward for the first time in the match (41-37). Sassari, after the first complicated minutes, returns to the advantage thanks above all to the 8 points of Kruslin. Logan, hitherto not very incisive, scores the two triples that are worth the double-digit advantage (45-55). The last quarter begins with Trento at -5, but soon the new parity arrives (55-55). Sassari stretches further, L’Aquila manages to resist but collapses in the last minutes.

Trento Forray 14, Reynolds 12, Johnson 11
Sassari Burnell e Mekowulu 14, Bendzius e Kruslin 11

Derthona-Milan

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Ore 20.45