Milan, 21 April 2022 – Powerful burst of pride in theArmani AX Milan who raises his head after the knockout on Tuesday and, despite the absences of Nicolò Melli and Gigi Datome and the injuries suffered during the race by Malcolm Delaney and Sergio Rodriguez, piega 72-66 l’Anadolou Efes Istanbul bringing on1-1 the series of Euroleague playoffs, which will move to Turkey next week. A great defense, determination and steadfast nerves were the main ingredients of the Milanese success, to which however must be added the sensational performance of Shavon Shields, incredibly shot up in a second half in which he scored 19 of his 21 overall points (8/11 shooting) to which he also added 8 rebounds. More than positive, however, also the performance of Sergio Rodriguez, author of 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists but, as mentioned, came out in the second half due to an ankle problem. Efes, on the other hand, were not enough with 19 points from Shane Larkin and 18 from Vasilije Micic who in the end, however, remedied an ankle injury.
The race
After a somewhat contracted start, especially on the offensive front and specifically in long-range shooting (initial 1/7), Milan has loosened the reins thanks to a Sergio Rodriguez by 11 points in the first 10 minutes and main inspirer of the red and white advantage at the sound of the first siren (19-17). The head-to-head continued to be very tight and the intensity high even in the second fraction, in which Efes sought the mini-extension reaching +6 (27-33) with Dunston and Singleton and Milan caught him back thanks to Tarczewski’s baskets and to the early points of the evening by Shields (33-33 at the long interval). Prelude to the real explosion of the former Trento that after the break in the middle of the race was unleashed by signing nine points in quick succession that gave way to the escape of Milan, arrived at +10 with the seal of Ricci (53-43). However, the Efes did not take their hands off the handlebars and returned to the slipstream relying on Micic, author of the -1 with 10 ‘from the end (53-52). With an 8-1 partial, Efes then tried to put the arrow at the dawn of the final stage but Milan, despite losing Delaney first and Rodriguez then, kept the tiller straight, staying afloat with Bentil’s triples. and Shields. Shields’ final blasts and a commanding tow from Hines on MIcic they did the rest and gave Olimpia a winning shot.
Read also – Virtus Bologna in the quarterfinals of Eurocup, eliminated Venice. Reggio ko