Olimpia shot 58 percent on twos and over 61 percent on threes, moving the ball, playing unselfishly and looking to build as many open looks as possible. The outcome was a commanding 100-80 win in Game 1 of the Italian League championship series against Reyer Venezia. Game 2 is scheduled to be played on Saturday in Milano again. “We played with energy and physicality. The offensive numbers are there. When you shoot so well on threes everything is easier but once again our defense was crucial in the first half, holding them to 35 points. They had the best offense in the league,” Coach Poeta said at the end. In the meantime, Shavon Shields became the all-time leader for minutes played in the Italian league championship series. He surpassed Mike D’Antoni.
Olimpia opened up its lead late in the first half on a sequence that consisted in a Nico Mannion corner three, a Bolmaro corner three and a Guduric driving lay-up. Suddenly, Olimpia closed the first period up by nine. The second quarter was even better. Olimpia led by seventeen at the half. In the second half the margin reached 21 points but Venezia managed to reduce it to 13 several times riding the magical moment experienced by Amedeo Tessitori who finished with a game-high 26 points including two three-pointers. However, Olimpia responded every single time. The outcome was never in doubt.
The story of the night was the second unit. “I don’t call it a second unit, not when Bolmaro, Guduric and Ricci oftenly are coming off the bench but close the game on the court. Yes, they made the decisive run but the start era set the time defensively,” Poeta said. Ousmane Diop was all over the floor. He finished with a team-high 18 points. He made timely rolls to the rim, three dunks, went 6 for 6 from the field. His short rolls catches gave him the chance to dished even four assists. “He was devastating,” Poeta said. He started the game taking a charge and never stopped. Nico Mannion added 17 points and five assists. He started the game with a shot-clock beater from the corner and showed his shooting all night long. He finished the third quarter with a crafty moves on the baseline to beat the buzzer again. “His offensive talent is unquestionable. What he did great tonight and lately was fighting at the defensive end of the floor,” Poeta pointed out.
Quinn Ellis, who scored after burning the length of the court to finish the first half in a matter of seconds, had seven assists. Guduric added six. Zach LeDay made three at-the-rim blocks. “We got to be prepared for a much different Game 2. They have talent and showed how good they respond during the other two series. They will approach the game with energy, they will compete hard and we will need to at least match their intensity because this is a tough series,” Poeta finished.
