Italy – Basket Serie A, Round 25
Treviso-Pesaro (30/03/24, h16:00 CET)
With a thrill, but with merit, Treviso conquers Pistoia (83-84) and secures the third consecutive victory - the fourth in the last 5 games. "We're in full survival sprint," coach Vitucci doesn't hide. It's not a small feat, because if the Venetians ride the momentum in the next two games, they could really put a down payment on the season's goal (unthinkable after the shocking start of 9 defeats out of 9): Saturday at the Palaverde, there's Pesaro, the day after they fly to Brindisi. As of today, the two relegated teams. The biancorossi currently remain unpredictable, capable of alternating feats against powerhouses Virtus and Brescia only to deflate when it matters most. "Unexpected and unjustifiable attitude," admits Meo Sacchetti after the home collapse against Reggio (69-87). And now Pesaro is two victories behind Treviso, who instead are finding consistency on both ends of the floor and leadership from their veterans: Harrison from the distance, Paulicap on the boards, Olisevicius in every way. Ready for a scorching head-to-head clash, potentially balanced until the final buzzer, with the hosts tasked with snatching the win in front of their home crowd.
Tortona-Cremona (30/03/24, h17:00 CET)
With authority, Tortona repels Varese's attacks (90-83) and takes a big step forward towards the playoffs. "Let's not forget that until a few weeks ago, it was just a dream," emphasizes Walter De Raffaele, the architect of Piedmont's resurgence. Kamagate and company (6 out of 6 for the Frenchman on Sunday) are attacking the basket well, with good offensive solutions and high shooting percentages. They'll need to replicate it on Saturday against a suddenly revived team like Cremona: from -14 to victory against Reyer (92-90), "an emotional performance," smiles coach Cavina. "Now let's repeat it against Tortona." The Lombards breathe in terms of salvation and enjoy a 23-point performance from Denegri. But at PalaFerraris, the white and blacks are surgical (6 consecutive victories) and are poised to redeem themselves from the ugly defeat in the first leg. For technical gap and motivation, yes to Tortona's victory in a match not necessarily high-scoring.
Napoli-Venice (30/03/24, h18:00 CET)
The bill for the Italian Cup arrives: Napoli falls in Milan in the rematch (albeit narrowly, 86-84) and risks slipping out of the top eight. "We're paying dearly for some details, especially rebounding," analyzes coach Milicic after the third consecutive defeat. Now Zubcic and company seek the push of PalaBarbuto to restart against another big: Venice is wounded and inconsistent, the suicide against Cremona (92-90, from +14) feels like an alarm bell and leaves many regrets for the 17 turnovers and 33 points conceded in the last quarter. "However, the team reacted well during the week," says Spahija. Naples will be the test to see if it will really be so. An entertaining match is coming, with offenses in the spotlight given the individual weights: Ennis and Pullen's creativity countered by Tucker and Kabengele's athleticism. Expect a scenario of over 160 total points, with Naples slightly favored if only for the home advantage.
Trento-Scafati (30/03/24, h18:30 CET)
A great performance by Hubb (21 points, 5/8 from three) and the Aquila resurrects against Sassari (87-76), also overturning the point differential. An important prideful leap towards the postseason, with another chance at home to consolidate the eighth spot. "I saw the right energy and aggressiveness," applauds coach Galbiati, who also enjoys Grazulis' crucial return. Scafati with a crucial victory would tie with the white and blacks, but the trend isn't the happiest (4 losses in the last 5) and against the bottom-dweller Brindisi (76-84) the yellow-blues showed all their character limitations. "The pressure to win has crushed us," admits Boniciolli. They go to Trentino to bounce back and find offensive fluidity again (only 7 three-pointers made in the last game). In the first leg, Scafati won comfortably with a low score, on Saturday the opposite scenario between two fragile teams might be seen: Aquila slightly more in form, but above all a scoreboard of over 160 total points.
Brindisi-Sassari (30/03/24, h19:00 CET)
A great defense and a superb Bartley (22 points) allow Brindisi to keep hoping: Scafati defeated (76-84), the survival comeback can't stop here. As Dragan Sakota says, the Apulians must try to win all matches and hope: 3 victories in the last 4 are a sign that the team is alive. Coach Markovic, however, disappointed for the missed step up in quality in Trento against his Dinamo (87-76): the playoff objective gets complicated, but it's still reachable. However, they urgently need to improve their away record (2-10, like Brindisi, the worst in Serie A) and PalaPentassuglia is becoming an uncomfortable arena for everyone. The hosts have more nerves, the guests more talent: a point-to-point match is coming, with Sassari's experience potentially decisive in the end. But the outcome remains uncertain, rather focus on the total points tally: just above 160.
Reggiana-Milan (30/03/24, h19:30 CET)
The curse is broken, Reggio Emilia wins two games in a row after over three months of ups and downs. "We made what wasn't easy seem easy," coach Priftis praises his team after the 69-87 against Pesaro. Now Galloway and company firmly hold the fifth position, with two wins ahead of the pursuers. And as far as Milan is concerned, if in Euroleague it's hanging by a thread, in Serie A it's showing the best form of the last 10 games (8-2). The latest, a served revenge against Naples (86-84): Shields, Melli, and Mirotic stand out - especially the former Barcelona player is ensuring high consistency in performance. However, a brilliant Olimpia is not to be expected: coming from the Lithuanian beating, Messina's team has just 48 hours to recover. Experience and cynicism could be enough though to prevail against a Reggiana that will take the field with a light heart: with potential complications, yes to an away victory.
Varese-Brescia (30/03/24, h20:00 CET)
A heavyweight Lombard derby at PalaOldrini. The hosts arrive with a clear decline in the league (3 losses in the last 4), but refreshed by the first leg of the Europe Cup: next week in Turkey, Varese will play the final. Mannion and company's minds are inevitably already there, but the survival discourse is not closed, and coach Bialaszewski wants to avoid further lapses of attention - starting from the usual cheerful defense. Instead, it's the toughest moment of the season for Brescia, with 4 losses in the last 5 official outings, including the internal collapse against Virtus (73-87). Della Valle and company seem to be lacking mental and physical energies, more than aiming for the top spot in the league, they should focus on regaining their form. Ingredients for an unstable match, which will likely see sparks on both ends and on the track of a medium-high score.
Virtus Bologna-Pistoia (01/04/24, h19:00 CET)
Scalded by the specter of the play-in (the European prospect becoming increasingly concrete), Bologna raises its head in the league with a great performance on Brescia's court (73-87). The usual Belinelli shines (4/4 from three), especially a defense found after 6 losses in the previous 7 games between league and cups. "We're entering a phase of the season where attention to detail makes the difference," explains coach Banchi. Against Pistoia, at home, the opportunity is too good to throw away the laurels of the top spot just snatched from Brescia. Especially since the Tuscans come out diminished from the internal defeat suffered against Treviso (83-84), lacking maturity with a view to the playoffs. "If we're not willing to play with everything we've got, these are the results: today on the field, we looked like 10 idiots," Nicola Brienza vents. More than the percentages of his veterans (Willis and Moore are coming from a disappointing 10 out of 26 shooting), the coach must rediscover the energy of the collective. It will be tough in Bologna, especially considering the mismatches: already in the first leg, in Pistoia's best moment, Virtus won overwhelmingly. Expect another victory for the black and whites, potentially under 160 total points if Shengelia and co. maintain their defensive course.