So far, it has been a low-scoring series, with a lot of defense, mediocre shooting percentages, and that on both sides. Trento scored 70 points in Game 1 and 70 again in Game 2. It was enough the second time, not the first. Olimpia has always been used to winning while scoring a lot more and shooting a lot better. But so far the team has not been able to find any rhythm (14 of 55 fon threes; 44 of 81 on twos) and had to rely on a defense that, after winning Game 1, had gone one lucky shot away from at least going overtime in Game 2. Having lost Josh Nebo (the adductor muscle injury of Game 1 has been confrimed: the player is out for the series), Coach Ettore Messina has started Ousmane Diop at the center spot and reinserted Leandro Bolmaro among the guards in Game 2, while Diego Flaccadori has been the most consistent player in the two Trento games (23 points overall, 6 of 7 from two). It is significant how different the second halves of the two games have been: Olimpia produced 81 points in the first two halves but only 59 in the second half against Trento’s 78 in the first half and 62 in the second half. Game 3 and 4 are in Milan where Olimpia in the playoffs is 24-3 in the Messina era.

The Keys

• Defense: Olimpia forced 17 turnovers in Game 2 and for the second time held the opponent to 70 points, beating Trento 31-23 in the last two fourth quarters. These are the most promising numbers.
• Quinn Ellis: Trento’s point guard scored 14.0 points, grabbing 7.0 rebounds on average in the first two games.
• Two-point shooting: In Game 2 Olimpia shot 14 of 37 from two, far below its season standards. Here Olimpia must improve.

Series Schedule

Game 1	Saturday 17 May	H 18:00	Trento	70-73
Game 2	Monday 19 May	H 20:00	Trento	70-67
Game 3	Thursday 22 May	H 20:45	Milano	DMax e DAZN
Game 4	Saturday 24 May	H 18:00	Milano	DMax e DAZN
Game 5*	Tuesday 27 May	TBD	Trento	–

DIEGO FLACCADORI – “It’s a tough series against a competitive team, that has played well all year and you can see that they play with the strong belief that they can get to the end. But so are we. As far as I’m concerned, my approach has always been to stay ready, which is the attitude that we all try to have”.

Game 2 Story

1°Q	Olimpia got into penalty territory very early and Trento took advantage of it going 10 times to the line to turn the score around, from 15-11 Milan to 23-20 Trento.
2°Q	Trento led by as many as seven point, using well Anthony Lamb’s low-post game. Olimpia stayed close in the end: 39-35
3°Q	When Trento earns a 10-point lead, Olimpia places a 10-0 run and ties the score up. But Jordan Ford led the home team again, 62-54 after three.
4°Q	Trento is held to 8 fourth-quarter points until Olimpia ties the game up on a Mirotic three, 67-67. Then, nobody scores until Myles Cale buzzer-beating miracle. Trento prevails 70-67.