Italy – Basket Serie A, Round 29

Brindisi-Venice
Puglia is still alive: in Pistoia, Brindisi faced Serie A2, then staged a comeback from being 15 points down in the last quarter, granting themselves another chance at survival by winning at PalaCarrara (90-96). Needless to say, the home game against Venice will be the game of their lives. "One of our best matches this season: we could have given up, but instead, we showed great character. We're ready to repeat ourselves under pressure," Coach Sakota is fired up. Bartley and his teammates warm up at PalaPentassuglia, where they've won 3 out of 4 games since the break. In the last 10 games combined, both teams have a tied record: 5-5. So, the technical gap is leveled against a Reyer team that, celebrating in the Venetian derby (91-78), has almost certainly secured fourth place and has shown repeated signs of inconsistency in 2024. "We expect a tough game in Brindisi, in a heated atmosphere that we must manage well," says Coach Spahija. Thus, be ready for an open game, one that the visitors are unlikely to give up easily: Brindisi must maintain consistency throughout the 40 minutes to stand a chance. Expect a total score of just above 160 points.

Milan-Brescia
The big match of the day takes place at the Forum. In all likelihood, whoever wins this will finish at the top of the regular season: Leonessa ruled the first half, while Olimpia raised their voice in the second half and are physically better today. "We're coming from a distracted and inattentive game, everything we shouldn't do in a special match like when facing Milan," Coach Magro analyzes after the loss to Cremona (84-77) last weekend. Melli and his teammates have found balance in rotations and seem to benefit from the sole focus on the championship, where Milan has won at the Forum in 14 consecutive games between Serie A and EuroLeague. "I also emphasize the progress of Denzel Valentine," Ettore Messina highlights the recent addition from the Chicago Bulls, looking ahead to the playoffs. But beware of slipping: on paper, the Red Shoes are favored, with both offenses being protagonists given the recent numbers. However, Brescia is a team capable of another comeback: they won in the first leg (72-64) thanks to stifling defense, a recipe to repeat. Therefore, expect an uncertain match in every aspect.

Pesaro-Cremona
A painful defeat for Vuelle in Piedmont (94-76), and now the Vitrifrigo Arena braces for an inevitable call: to beat Cremona, to keep everything open for the final game against Venice. "We faced a great opponent," admits Meo Sacchetti. "Now we face a crucial match, where two key points are at stake: we'll need to be even more aggressive, working well on rebounds." The usual issue for Ciancirini and his teammates remains in their own half, where they've conceded an average of 90.6 points in the last 8 games (with a record of 4-4). But the offense is clicking, the crowd will make itself heard, and especially the opponent of the day is safe: "We're super focused on the present," the happiness of Demis Cavina after the concurrent results of the last round, which rewarded his boys. "It's true that we've achieved the goal, but we have the will to finish the season well." So, Cremona is not a team to go on vacation early, but it's unlikely they'll play all-out on Sunday. Yes, to the home victory, within a medium-to-high scoring match.

Reggio Emilia-Naples
Reggio Emilia fought hard but eventually fell for the first time this season at the Segafredo Arena against Virtus (83-73). "Too slow in the first half, we corrected the defense well in the second, and this should give us confidence for the next games," Coach Priftis doesn't dramatize. The red and whites are just a step away from mathematically securing a playoff spot: by beating Naples at PalaBigi, the final round would become unnecessary. The same goes for the blues, but negatively, as they're a clear game behind eighth place. "Our opponents did well to punish us, in the last quarter, we distributed the ball poorly," experienced coach Milicic doesn't seek excuses after the home loss to Trento (93-103). An unexpected trajectory after winning the Italian Cup in February. Yet the talent of Ennis and company has slowly begun to clash with game situations, especially in the final moments of the game. Finding identity in this final sprint is a must: in any case, Naples will play attacking. A potentially entertaining challenge, with a total score potentially exceeding 160 points.

Scafati-Sassari
At the starting line, the yellow-blues would have signed for safety, finding themselves with survival already secured on the eve of the last home match. Yet Boniciolli's boys' achievement is bittersweet, coming down (at one point, they dreamt of the playoffs) and with the regret of what could have been without David Logan's sudden departure. "The salvation of my Scafati deserves a series on Netflix," summarizes the coach. On the other hand, Sassari, for the first time in 6 seasons, will miss out on the top eight: "Against Varese (88-112), my boys seemed to have no goals," sighs Coach Markovic after the last, decisive home loss. Also at PalaBarbuto, the offenses outshine the defenses, with Scafati wanting to end well in front of their home crowd and the handicapped talent of Dinamo, from which a furious reaction is expected. A slippery game, considering both teams have lost 4 of their last 5 games. And expect a scoreboard with over 160 points.

Tortona-Virtus Bologna
Tortona, sweeping aside Pesaro too (94-76), continues its surge supported by the fortress of PalaFerraris: 8 wins in a row since Walter De Raffaele's arrival. "We're still chasing the playoff dream, the performances are not lacking," smiles the former Reyer coach. Another run at home, where on Sunday comes a Virtus team hurt by the elimination from the EuroLeague but with the means to secure the first place. "The defensive continuity against Reggio (83-73) was the highlight of this week," says Coach Banchi. Among the visitors, the man of the moment is Lundberg, among others, keep an eye on the former Weems's desire for revenge. And generally on Tortona's tactical solidity, which now plays with the momentum of the post-season: if they don't make it, it will only be due to the gap accumulated in the fall. But those looking for a gamble of the day, within a fiercely contested match, might consider trusting De Raffaele's boys.