Olimpia won its playoffs opener edging Reggio Emilia 91-82 at the end of a weird game, dominated for 28 minutes and then almost ruined during the fourth quarter. “We tried to get into some rhythm during the first half – Coach Ettore Messina said -, we were a little rusty after so many days with no games, then the third quarter was excellent, because we moved the ball, built the right shots and shot well. It was a 24-point lead. Our regulars thought we could cruise the rest of the game.” Instead, Reggio Emilia placed a 19-0 run and got within five early in the fourth and again within four some minutes later. “Let’s say that our second unit was not very good and we had to send the regulars back in the game, but mentally they weren’t ready anymore. We almost laid an egg, but I treasure what we did for three periods”, Messina added.

Olimpia made 16 of its first 17 two-pointers, scored 80 points over 28 minutes and shot well from the perimeter too, the strategic decision made by Reggio Emilia. Shavon Shields, Ben Bentil, Sergio Rodriguez hit consistently from downtown. Olimpia made 15 threes. When the game had to be won again, Devon Hall made a mid-range jumper, Shields a driving bank shot and Gigi Datome hit a corner three. Shields led the scorers with 20 points, Bentil added 19 and was especially dominant during the first half. Datome had 13 points, Sergio Rodriguez added 11 along six assists, Devon Hall had 11 and six too, playing mostly as a point-guard since Malcolm Delaney is out for the rest of the season.

Olimpia, still playing without Nicolò Melli, leads the best-of-five series 1-0 with Game 2 scheduled to be played on Tuesday night again in Milano.