Italy – Basket Serie A, Round 21
Reggiana-Trento (03/02/24, 8:30 PM CET)
The hosts come into this match with an extra sense of awareness, following their near-upset in the Italian Cup – eliminating Virtus in the quarterfinals, missing the final with a last-second shot. At the PalaBigi, they have secured four consecutive victories, maintaining the playoff momentum, especially with Langston Galloway leading the charge. Conversely, Trento needed a break like oxygen, given their dismal record in 2024 (2 wins, 10 losses). However, signals from the club exude full confidence: both Coach Galbiati and Captain Forray have had their contracts renewed this week. Aquila ventures to Reggio for an upset. However, current form tilts the contest towards the hosts, in a match not necessarily high-scoring. With the target of overturning the first leg's -10 deficit, Reggiana aims to secure a playoff spot.
Sassari-Bologna (03/03/24, 12:00 PM CET)
Dinamo hunts for points – 1 win and 2 losses with Coach Markovic on the bench – to stay in the playoff race. The break has allowed the new coach to understand the team and prepare an anti-Virtus game plan, hoping the visitors will be fatigued from their EuroLeague efforts. Noteworthy is Belinelli and his teammates' strong response in Europe after their Coppa Italia disappointment. Bologna arrives in Serie A on the back of five consecutive wins and dominated Sassari by 14 points in the first leg: PalaSerradimigni will host a different story, with the travelers expected to battle but eventually emerge victorious. According to Markovic, Dinamo will require "great team defense and rebound control," yet it may not suffice.
Napoli-Treviso (03/03/24, 12:30 PM CET)
Celebration awaits at PalaBarbuto, as Napoli takes the court for the first time with the Italian Cup badge on their chests. Pullen and his teammates will be welcomed as heroes. Treviso's hope is that Napoli's cup euphoria may divert their focus from the league encounter. If Napoli replicates their basketball from the Turin event, it will be challenging. There's a significant technical gap, along with the hosts' deep roster. The visitors, seeking survival points, recognize they can exploit some favorable mismatches, as evident in their narrow first leg defeat (76-79). Treviso must tighten ranks for the full 40 minutes, while Napoli prefers high-paced play, expecting a total score surpassing 160 points. The game appears headed in this direction, but the fresh cup winners might face unexpected challenges.
Milan-Varese (03/03/24, 5:00 PM CET)
Defeated in the Coppa Italia final, once again surprised in the EuroLeague – Friday night, on Lyon's court: Olimpia now focuses solely on Serie A. Despite a streak of 6 consecutive league wins, Milan faces Varese – with the "Mannion effect" – an offensively potent opponent. If Melli and his teammates fail to elevate their performance, playing for the championship until the end will be the only redemption. An unstable match awaits, more unpredictable than the gap between the teams suggests. However, with abundant talent and pressure, Olimpia's victory is to be expected.
Brindisi-Cremona (03/03/24, 5:30 PM CET)
Last chance for Brindisi, stranded at the bottom. Sakota's team used the break to regroup and cut ties – literally: Senglin's contract was terminated on Friday. There's a golden opportunity at PalaPentassuglia, as Cremona, having won more than double the matches (9 games to 4), including no away wins in the last three months, faces them. However, Cremona seems neither playoff-bound nor relegation-threatened. A loss post-break would be relatively painless. The match is precarious: Cremona's lightness and Brindisi's hunger for results are double-edged swords. The hosts may benefit from risky play, in what could be a tense 40 minutes.
Scafati-Venice (03/03/24, 6:00 PM CET)
The playoff dream resumes at home for Scafati, with staff and players openly targeting the goal. The yellow-blues rely on Gerry Blakes' adaptation, brought in weeks ago to replace Logan, and the PalaMangano effect: a fortress lately, with five consecutive wins for Gentile and his teammates. On the other hand, Reyer, after three consecutive away losses, is determined not to drop more points. Coach Spahija has almost a full squad at his disposal, understanding that Venice's season hinges on a successful playoff run. An open match, with offenses stronger than defenses, and many favorable mismatches for the orange-black – destructive in the first leg, 83-59. Therefore, Reyer's victory is expected, not necessarily smooth, in a match surpassing 160 total points.
Pistoia-Tortona (03/03/24, 6:15 PM CET)
A changing of the guard? Pistoia has lost all four recent matches, while Tortona has had a perfect run. Climbing over the Tuscans in the standings, Coach De Raffaele (5 wins, 2 losses) is credited for Tortona's resurgence. The Piedmontese seek to avenge the high-scoring encounter earlier this season (97-100), which nearly cost Ramondino his job. The new coach remarked, "The break helped us build better team chemistry." Meanwhile, Pistoia, despite a dignified Coppa Italia exit, only partly benefitted from the break. Expect a tough match, contrasting with the first leg's pace – hence, defenses taking the lead, with a score below 160 – where Weems and his teammates might slightly tip the balance.
Pesaro-Brescia (03/03/24, 7:00 PM CET)
A clash awaits at the Vitrifrigo Arena. The hosts are in freefall, with 8 consecutive losses, firmly in the relegation zone. Brescia, however, is a wounded league leader, following an early exit from the Final Eight. Massinburg and company aim to bounce back. For Pesaro, if nothing else, it's a match with little to lose, hoping a strong performance could reignite their spark. Coach Sacchetti appeals, "We need to taste victory again," banking on Wright-Foreman's offensive contribution. On the other side, Magro's team appreciates the break and has regained training chemistry: the intention is to resume Serie A as they had left off – with a win, even in Pesaro.