Olimpia beat Asvel Villeurbanne in the first game of the season against a EuroLeague team in a commanding way, scoring more than ninety points (52 at halftime), and overcoming several adversities just as happened in the first outing of Vigevano. It was the early foul troubles of Nikola Mirotic then the exit of Diego Flaccadori, then again the Kevin Pangos’ fouls in the third quarter when Asvel had come within seven points. But Olimpia has always found a way to respond, even when tired, with five men scoring in double figures, including Pangos and Devon Hall. 95-78 was the final score.
As it did in Vigevano, Olimpia with the starting lineup began very strong, before Asvel tried to come back with Mike Scott and Frank Jackson (in the first half they combined for 18 points of the 39 points scored by TJ Parker’s team). Olimpia still had to deal with foul troubles, this time with Nikola Mirotic, two in the first period bringing him back to the bench earlier than expected. Compared to Asvel (Nando De Colo was missing), Olimpia had many more absences to deal with and therefore much less consistency between the first and second unit. However the lineup with Mirotic as 3, generated several mismatches situations in the second period. Nikola took advantage of this, playing in the low post, to collect fouls and trips to the line (6/6). So Milan extended its lead again, reaching 15 points with two threes made by Alex Poythress, great at using his muscles inside and his hands on the perimeter. The two bigs formula worked both when he was paired with Hines, with Caruso or Kamagate. Additionally, this time Kevin Pangos made his presence felt in the scoring phase with three made floaters in the first half.
In the second half, with Diego Flaccadori out due to a muscle strain to be re-evaluated, Devon Hall had to play as a point guard backing up Pangos, with Bortolani used as a shooting guard in the starting five. Two early fouls by Pangos and then the third committed by Mirotic forced Coach Messina to reinvent the rotations and feature emergency lineup, with minutes also for Stojanovic. Asvel took advantage of this to come back from within 18 (three by Mirotic, steal by Mirotic with transition three made by Shields) to get closer to within seven. But as Shields returned and after a Hall three at the buzzer restored the 15-point margin after three periods. Here with Caruso plagued with fouls and Poythress on the bench for some time after his huge effort, Ismael Kamagate did excellent things, a block on one side, a tip-in dunk at the other. In the end, Olimpia’s win was never in doubt and there was some possessions for Samuele Miccoli and Dennis Badalau, too.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milano-Asvel Villeurbanne 95-78
Olimpia: Poythress 20 (6/9 2pt, 2/2 3pt, 7 r), Bortolani 7 (1/4 2pt, 1/6 3pt, 2/2 tl), Pangos 11 (3/4 2pt, 1/1 3pt, 3 a), Stojanovic 4 (2/2), Miccoli, Kamagate 5 (2/3, 3 r, 2 blk), Flaccadori (0/1), Badalau (0/1), Hall 11 (2/4 2pt, 1/3 3pt, 3 r), Caruso 2 (1/1, 3 r), Shields 19 (3/6 2pt, 4/5 3pt, 5 r, 3 a), Mirotic 14 (2/5 2pt, 1/2 3pt, 7/9 tl, 5 r), Hines 2 (1/2).
Asvel: Scott 16, Lee 17, Kahudi 2, Laverne 8, Luwawu-Cabarrot 11, E. Jackson, Egubnu 4, Fall, Lighty 5, Ndaye 2, Yacoov 3, F.Jackson.
Olimpia will face Dinamo Sassari in the championship game on Sunday. Dinamo beat Red Stare 76-71
