Italy – Basket Serie A, Round 11
Venezia-Scafati 09/12/23 CET 19:30
The recent downturn – with only 2 wins in the last 6 games – has highlighted issues for Venezia, prompting them to seek reinforcement in the market, especially for the frontcourt. While struggling in European competitions, they perform better in the domestic league, securing the second position with an unbeaten home record. On the other side, Scafati faces an unpleasant puzzle on the bench as Sacripanti departs due to health issues, making way for Matteo Boniciolli. It remains to be seen how the Campanians will react on the court, even after three consecutive close defeats. Despite these setbacks, their overall performance remains positive, particularly in scoring – boasting the second-best offense in the league. The game is expected to be open, with a total score surpassing 160 points, and a potential challenge for Venezia's victory, potentially more challenging than expected.
Tortona-Pistoia 09/12/23 CET 20:30
Tortona failed their maturity test, suffering a significant defeat (-29) in the big match against Virtus. Coach Ramondino needs to skillfully isolate this misstep and guide the team back on track for a playoff push. The current 5-5 record falls short of expectations. On the contrary, Pistoia has been exceptional, securing four victories in the last five games, including a comeback win against Napoli. Despite evident technical limitations and rotation issues, the red and whites are in great competitive form and fear no one. This sets the stage for a hard-fought game on Saturday, where both home court advantage and Tortona's rebounding edge could make a difference in the long run.
Napoli-Reggiana 10/12/23 CET 12:00
Losing to Pistoia is somewhat expected in current circumstances, allowing Napoli to restart confidently at their home arena – where they've only lost to Bologna – to stay in touch with the top spot. The shooting percentages of Pullen and Zubcic, along with Owens' presence in the paint, could be decisive factors. Reggiana, coming off a comfortable home win against Pesaro, is back in playoff contention, a team that naturally needs breathing space. Away from PalaBigi, Galloway and company have struggled this season. The ingredients favor Napoli's success, possibly by a margin of around 10 points.
Brescia-Sassari 10/12/23 CET 16:30
The Lioness of Brescia continues to roar, securing another away victory against Scafati and standing as the sole leader alongside Virtus (8 wins, 2 losses). Magro's well-rounded team, featuring key additions like Semaj Christon, has raised the bar further after winning the Coppa Italia last season. Sassari is gradually finding its form, securing their third victory in the last four games by defeating Milano, showing they can navigate high-scoring matches. Sunday's clash in Brescia is expected to exceed 160 total points, with the home team remaining the favorite.
Cremona-Treviso 10/12/23 CET 17:00
Cremona, boosted by their victory against Varese, is starting to feel the playoff scent in their debut season. They have a chance to accelerate the process at home, where they have a strong record (3-1), facing the bottom-ranked Treviso. However, Treviso enters the game with confidence after a convincing seasonal victory (86-60) against Brindisi, showcasing newfound certainties in the roster, especially with Olisevicius. In this case, a focus on defense, particularly if the visitors put up a strong fight, could make Cremona's success less certain, especially if the total score remains below 160 points.
Milano-Bologna 10/12/23 CET 17:30
All eyes are on the classic matchup, with Olimpia in disarray – the worst start to the season in the Armani era – despite coach Messina's contract renewal. Bologna has already won the first encounter of the year, including securing the Supercoppa, and arrives with momentum after a comeback against Barcelona in European competition. Considering the current form and the teams' values, everything points towards an away team victory. However, there are risks in a one-off game, with wounded Milano in desperate need of playoff points. The last 5 games at the Forum show a 4-1 advantage for Olimpia.
Pesaro-Trento 10/12/23 CET 18:30
Pesaro continues their rollercoaster season, alternating wins and losses over the last 8 games. Toté and Bamforth remain the pillars of a team seeking their third consecutive home victory, yet there are too few signs of reliability. In contrast, Trento, with an exclamation mark in the 'partidazo' against Venezia (106-79), is deserving of their position among the second-placed teams. This is especially true for their ability to alternate high-paced basketball with excellent defensive performances. The last two away games ended in narrow defeats for Trento, and the game in Pesaro could be a chance for a new win. Trust goes to Trento in a hard-fought game.
Brindisi-Varese 10/12/23 CET 19:30
Brindisi erased their Bologna feat with an inexplicable performance in the direct clash against Treviso. The team now finds itself back at the bottom of the standings with a 1-9 record. Varese is only slightly better (3-7), dealing with internal issues and a team that has recently shown signs of weakness, particularly in offensive production (74 points on average in the last 2 games). Why not Brindisi? They have the shortest roster in the league, plagued by injuries and questionable market choices. Why not Varese? They have consistently lost away games and possess the worst defense in the league. The match is characterized by high variability, where nerves may play a more significant role than talent. Caution is advised, especially in terms of total points, as Brindisi tends to have low-scoring games and Varese leans towards higher scores.