Euroleague, Maccabi Tel Aviv-Milan 75-58

Disastrous match for Olimpia (without Mitoglou) which goes down by 16 and then comes back up to -3 in the long interval: in the second half, the collapse again. Melli 10 points and 12 rebounds

AX falls in Tel Aviv, beaten by an inspired Maccabi: 75-58 the final. Run-up race for Olimpia (who took the field without Mitoglou) punished by the flames of Reynolds and the former Nunnally, the good performance of Melli (10 with 12 rebounds) is not enough for the red and white (who pay the bad percentages from the perimeter).

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The race

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Better Maccabi at the start of the challenge, good reactivity of the hosts who sign the first mini break with the dunks of Willams and Zizic. Daniels from the arc unlocks Olimpia which regains offensive fluidity, the Israelis respond by still finding comfortable conclusions in the colored area, 8-7. The red and white defensive traps begin to work, from an effective doubling of Daniels to the overtaking stamped by Delaney, 8-9. Wilbekin tries to raise the pace to take advantage of the yellow and blue transition, two paws by Zizic and Williams give the most 7 to the troop of coach Even, 18-11. A couple of missed referee calls hurt the guests, the double-digit margin comes after Nunnally’s front triple in transition, 21-11. Williams’ energy and talent are a factor in the challenge, he scored the most 12 at the first siren, 23-11. Milan is looking for new offensive blood, according to Bentil, but it is always too easy for the yellow and blue to access the paint, 31-16 after a sensational dunk by Reynolds. The AX starts to raise the defensive intensity, the problem remains Zizic who makes the vacuum in attack rebound, 37-21. There is more quality in the attacking approach of the Milanese, the impact of Delaney and Hines in terms of strength and experience is good, bringing Olimpia to minus 8, 39-31. The red and white comeback continues with Hall inspired, there is only one possession at the long break after the bang (with the help of good luck) always of the former Bamberg, 40-37.

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Inertia

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After the break, the inertia of the challenge does not change with Milan, which smells the scent of overtaking after the soft jumper of Melli, 42-41. The Israelis have a blaze with Evans and Thomas in evidence, the double-digit margin returns, 52-41. The Gialloblù advantage rises again at the opening of the fourth period, Nunnally and Reynolds put two baskets of pure talent, 66-48 after the sinking of an unleashed Ziv. We try bravely to return to Olimpia but it’s late, Maccabi closes without worries, 75-58.

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Maccabi Tel Aviv: Nunnally e Reynolds 14, Zizic 12

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AX Milano: Hall 11, Melli 10, Shields 9

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