Italy – Basket Serie A, Round 22
Presentation of the 22nd Matchday
Treviso-Reggiana (09/03/24, CET 19:30)
The Venetians are nervous but in form: sparks flew between coach Vitucci and the Napoli bench in the last match, with Treviso holding their own until 5 minutes from the end (then a 95-81 victory for the fresh winners of the Italian Cup). The bad news is that in terms of salvation, Pesaro has awakened, catching up with D'Harrison and his teammates at 12 points: against Reggio, only one result is required. The Biancorossi are confident, managing to recover the complicated contest with Trento at the buzzer (77-75) and firmly in 5th-6th place. The first leg respected the home advantage, with Reggiana winning the last 4 previous matches. But for Treviso, Saturday will be a make-or-break situation: if Olisevicius redeems his lackluster performance in Naples (7 points with 1/5 shooting), the hosts will have a good chance of getting a result - within 40 hard-fought minutes, not necessarily high-scoring.
Tortona-Napoli (10/03/24, CET 15:30)
The Bianconeri were tripped up by Pistoia (84-71) in an important playoff showdown. And now tied at 20 points, between seventh and tenth place, along with three other teams. "We can no longer lose our defensive focus: nine battles await us," charges coach De Raffaele. There is confidence because before the break, Tortona had four consecutive wins - the same streak at the PalaFerraris, with an average margin of 22.3 points. On the other hand, Napoli is on the rise: immediately honoring their victory in the Italian Cup (95-81 over Treviso), Milicic's boys aim to improve their placement for the post-season. Home team more compact without the ball, guests irresistible offensively: two basketball philosophies in comparison. But the specific weight of this match is all on Severini and his teammates' shoulders: for those seeking risk, consider a more or less tight victory for Tortona.
Varese-Brindisi (10/03/24, CET 16:00)
The Biancorossi were swept away by Milan (94-63), but there are other challenges to win. Like the one against Brindisi, for example: Mannion and his teammates cannot afford to get entangled in the fight to avoid relegation. And the Pugliese, still last, are galvanized by the victory over Cremona: finally a head-to-head that smiles at Sakota's team (79-76). At least Varese has already given a partial answer during the week, winning decisively in Nymburk in the first leg of the Europe Cup quarterfinals. "If we maintain this intensity even on Sunday, we will bring home the match," coach Bialaszewski is confident. Also because Brindisi has won only one game out of 10 on the road. Script for a match above 160 total points, on Varese's tracks, with the burden of the result on them.
Venezia-Sassari (10/03/24, CET 16:30)
Reyer cruising at Scafati's home (66-95), and once again within reach of the top spot. "Good defense and good three-point shooting: my complete team has won 90% of the matches," coach Spahija sets the course. The only uncertainty remains the return of Parks, which could still be delayed, but against teams of equal or lesser rank, Venezia has shown that it has manageable rotations. Of course, they will have to face a revitalized Sassari, riding the wave of the coaching change and the feat against Virtus (93-88): coach Markovic's influence is already visible, with Brandon Jefferson a hammer on the court (29 points with 7/10 from beyond the arc). If Dinamo wants to keep playoff hopes alive, however, they must raise the bar away from home: that 1-9 screams for revenge. It will be tough at Taliercio, but they will go there to fight it out. Scenario over 160 points, given the offensive drive of the new Sassari, with Venezia slightly favored.
Trento-Pesaro (10/03/24, CET 17:00)
The black crisis of Aquila continues, fooled at the last minute in Reggio Emilia (77-75) and with the fourth consecutive defeat. The playoffs are there, within reach, but they need to start running again. "As soon as we stop passing the ball, we pay dearly for it," comments coach Galbiati, who is not under discussion. On the other hand, there is a Pesaro reborn with a bang, after months of blackout and against all odds, then beating the league leaders Brescia even without any worries (93-83): the break and the addition of Wright-Foreman (immediately 25 points for the American) have proved to be oxygen for Sacchetti's boys. Salvation is within reach, but continuity is needed. Especially away from home, where Pesaro has lost 6 of the last 7. Considering the technical gap, the balance still leans towards Trento. But within a match with a very high level of uncertainty: the two most defeated teams of 2024 face each other (17 out of 20 total matches).
Bologna-Milan (10/03/24, CET 17:15)
Make way for the classic, the big match of this Serie A. Which, however, does not see neither the black vipers nor the red sneakers at the top, both second at 30 points. Bologna comes to the direct clash with an eye on the Euroleague, where they have to secure the direct elimination phase. Europe for Milan has already been over for a while, but in the league, it's a completely different story, also due to the progressive recovery of the injured: 7 consecutive victories and a determined chase at the top of the table. The key to the match? For Olimpia, high shooting percentages, already decisive in the first leg (82-80), and the flair of Shavon Shields. For Virtus, control of rebounds and defense: the best Shengelia is expected. However, it will be a real match, potentially on a knife's edge until the end in any direction, as often happens between the two teams. It's risky to count the points, under 160 in total: the first (Milan) and the third (Bologna) defenses of the championship face each other.
Cremona-Pistoia (10/03/24, CET 18:00)
A challenge between splendid newcomers, just one game apart (18 points against 20). Cremona had started the season better, then missed out on the Italian Cup and ended up losing to Brindisi (79-76) when the championship resumed. For Pistoia instead, who have already honored the Final Eight, against Tortona came "one of the most important victories of our journey," applauds coach Brienza. The Willis-Moore duo is on
the rise again (32 points evenly distributed), with the Tuscans impeccable in defense. Cremona, on the other hand, complains about "nervousness," according to their coach's analysis, and seeks the important momentum so far (7 W, 3 L) at the PalaRadi. The first leg respected the home advantage and had a low score: the outcome remains uncertain on Sunday, but the total points count could be confirmed.
Brescia-Scafati (10/03/24, CET 19:00)
Cold shower, on the heels of the flop in the Italian Cup: Brescia falls without excuses in the tail-end clash against Pesaro (93-83) and suddenly finds itself behind the blackboard. "Lost too many balls, shot poorly, and served poorly by Della Valle," coach Magro is not happy. The team is still the shining league leader of recent months, but they need a quick comeback at home to not give up the lead to their opponents. The customer of the day is a Scafati with a free mind, in touch with the playoffs despite two consecutive defeats - with an almost 30-point average gap. Boniciolli's boys have the task of reigniting their offense: the good news is the positive impact of Blakes, the top scorer for his team with 19 points in his debut. It's useless to deny that it will be very tough at PalaLeonessa. Yes to Brescia's comeback, within a match above 160 total points - the second and fourth attacks of the championship face each other - unless the hosts end the game early.