Olimpia’s defense decided the game with an outstanding effort. Cantù was never able to reach the 20-point mark in any quarter. Milan started hot scoring 26 points, then the shooting percentages declined, but the defense kept the engine running. Olimpia closed the game 70-57. “Our first unit was a little fatigued, especially mentally, the second unit was crucial, gave us a lot of energy and switching defense, Riccardo Moraschini was huge tonight,” Coach Ettore Messina said at the end.

The margin was essentially around the double digit all night long, reaching 16 points in the fourth quarter. Then Cantù, taking advantage of a flagrant foul called on Sergio Rodriguez, had a 11-0 run and came back within five. But that was when Olimpia responded with a strong effort, led by a Jeff Brooks’ three from the corner that ignited a 7-0 run that basically shut the game down. Brooks had 11 points, Moraschini added 10, Shavon Shields scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds, Gigi Datome scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half.