It was just a matter of execution at the end, for the last 36 seconds when Olimpia led by three points after erasing a late deficit and getting up on a Brooks corner three and a Mirotic lay-up created by Nico Mannion. Unfortunately the late execution was unperfect: Olimpia on the next to last defensive possession looked careful to avoid a three or a three-point play so when Tornike Shengelia missed his drive attempt he didn’t have any problem in getting his own rebound and score. At that point Virtus elected to force free throws. Zach LeDay is one of the best free-throw shooter in Europe, a 90 percent free-throw shooter for his career who probably never missed two foul shots on a single trip. But he missed them this time leaving the door open. Shengelia again with a tough shot put Bologna back up with seven seconds left. So the game was turner around. The last attempt was a futile one. Bologna won Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinals and leads the series 1-0 now. Game 2 is scheduled to be played tomorrow again in Bologna.

The game was a high physicality one, with bad shooting percentages from both sides. Olimpia finished with a 6-for-22 three-point shooting night and went to the line just eight times in the entire game (Virtus attempted nine free throws). “We allowed them to get too many offensive rebounds and score off them. Eventually, they cost us the game,” Coach Ettore Messina said. Olimpia trailed by as many as nive points early in the game, came back and led by seven twice before going to the locker room at the half leading by three. The third quarter was a back-and-forth battle with four straight ties before Olimpia regained a five point lead that was given back late. In the fourth, Bologna took another lead but Olimpia stayed close and eventually got the lead the looked decisive before the last terrible 36 seconds.