Serie A, Round 24
Pistoia-Treviso (03/23/24, 7:00 PM)
According to coach Brienza, after the big win in Naples (93-95 in overtime), Pistoia has achieved its first seasonal goal: securing safety. Now, they can only dream of the playoff battle, which currently sees the white and reds in sixth place with momentum on their side (3 wins in a row). A clear path, strengthened by the experience of the Final Eight and the offensive contributions of the three tenors: to the awarded firm of Willis-Moore, Jordon Varnado is increasingly adding value (67 total points at PalaBarbuto). Treviso is warned, arriving in Tuscany fully alive and ready to battle: Vitucci's boys have won 3 of their last 4 games and are looking for extra fuel for an intensified survival race. For the Venetians, the key to winning any game is collective defense plus Osvaldas Olisevicius in an all-rounder role. Aiming for another surprise win is possible, especially since Pistoia is not unbeatable at home (record 6-5) and will play with the label of the favorite – which has not always served them well. Considering the characteristics of both teams, a match under 160 total points seems likely.
Trento-Sassari (03/23/24, 8:30 PM)
Teams tied in the standings (11-12), but in diametrically opposite form. L'Aquila has won only 2 of the last 11 games, even falling at home against the bottom team Brindisi last Sunday (89-82). Dinamo, on the other hand, is on fire, with three wins out of ninety after the break – Bologna, Venice, Brescia – which have definitively relaunched them in the playoff picture. Among the hosts, coach Galbiati regrets the "too many game finals poorly managed". On the other side, Markovic asks his team for "another victory without tension drops", and so far Diop and his teammates have impeccably executed the new coach's moves. High-scoring games are often seen at the Blm Arena, where Trento will try to compensate for the uncertainty of Grazulis (at the center of market rumors, wanted by Bologna). Sassari will have the momentum on their side and shooting space for the Tyree-Jefferson duo. Ingredients for an open match, above 160 total points.
Cremona-Venezia (03/24/24, 4:30 PM)
6 losses in the last 7 (a heavy one for survival against Treviso, 78-71) and for Cremona, the specter of relegation appears for the first time this season. The team fights, even in this phase they have always lost by less than 10 points – a fact that continues to save some first half of the season statistics: the white and blues are still fifth in the standings for basket difference, +28. But the feeling is that, in addition to a physical decline, Denegri and his teammates are facing a mental blackout: "Too many 15 turnovers at PalaVerde", sounds the alarm also coach Cavina. It will be hard to bounce back against Venezia, which redeemed the loss against Sassari with a super performance against Olimpia Milano (78-72): strong defense, Spissu's assists, Brooks emerging as a protagonist. Thanks to the results on other fields, Reyer has closed in to just one length from first place. And it's not a team to give up now. At PalaRadi, a low-tempo match is coming, with defenses better than the attacks and the balance tipping towards the visitors: however, it's necessary not to lower the guard against the smaller teams.
Tortona-Varese (03/24/24, 5:00 PM)
On the last shot, Tortona was outsmarted by Scafati (94-91) and missed the opportunity to make a leap in the playoff race. Nevertheless, the trend is still positive (6-3 with De Raffaele as coach) and there’s an ongoing streak of 5 consecutive wins at PalaFerraris. Varese, on the other hand, has lost its way on the road (3 consecutive losses), even conceding 113 points on the court of Reggio Emilia. With the arrival of Mannion, the team seems sufficiently equipped for survival but not enough for the playoffs: focus has shifted to the Europe Cup semifinals, but caution is advised. On Sunday, the form of the Piedmontese may allow them to engage in the high-tempo basketball typical of Varese: Strautins and his teammates have scored over 90 points on average in the last two. The feeling is that we will witness another game over 160 total points, with the black and whites called not to let the final victory slip away.
Pesaro-Reggiana (03/24/24, 6:15 PM)
Thrilling overtimes, Cinciarini’s clutch free throws as decisive as a penalty, and the Vitrifrigo Arena crowd enjoys the second consecutive feat: after Brescia, Pesaro also beats Virtus (87-86). Two signs of life that shuffle the cards in the survival fight and relaunch Sacchetti’s boys. Now, they need points against more approachable teams: a healthy Reggiana is coming, in solitary fifth place but far from unbeatable away from PalaBigi (5 losses in the last 6). In Pesaro, they are enjoying the positive addition of Wright-Foreman and a team spirit finally suitable for the final sprint. The next obstacle: to cage an on-fire Langston Galloway, fresh from 38 points against Varese and now the second top scorer of the league. A double hint for a medium-high scoring game, as the Vuelle is finding comfort on these tracks. But it's a volatile game, to be approached with caution. Save for Reggiana’s declared ‘rollercoaster’ – win one, lose one – beating Varese has led them to 15 consecutive games with this trajectory.
Scafati-Brindisi (03/24/24, 6:30 PM)
Riding the wave of Nunge and Robinson (43 points together), Scafati withstands Tortona’s assaults (94-91) and secures its 6th home win in the last 7. PalaMangano is increasingly becoming a fortress, and the yellow-blues are more enticed by a standings on the playoff threshold (11-12). Coach Boniciolli praises his team, "a work group that I rarely encountered in my career," aiming to keep the bar high. Brindisi clings to pride, having beaten Trento in a close game (89-82), continuing to hold onto the last bullets for survival. However, a turnaround is essential away from home, where the Apulians have a nightmare record (1-10): Scafati will be an opportunity for redemption, also remembering the painful comeback suffered in the first leg (overtime loss 98-103, from +21). "We know we have to win them all," Dragan Sakota doesn’t hide. Even in the rematch, attacks take center stage, in a match over 160 total points and with Scafati narrowly favored.
Milan-Naples (03/24/24, 7:00 PM)
A glimmer of hope in Europe, at the cost of a slight downturn in Serie A – two consecutive losses. Olimpia aims to get back on track at the Forum, where it will host Naples for a rematch of the Italian Cup final lost narrowly a few weeks ago. Among Messina's men, Mirotic and Napier are performing exceptionally well, with Tonut improving and the team appearing healthy, especially in their notable victory on the court of Monaco. However, there is anger in Naples over the game thrown away against Pistoia (93-95 in overtime): "Selfish in attack, wasted energy, stupid gameplay choices," coach Milicic makes no excuses. Sokolowski and his teammates seem to have lost some of their shine after the trophy celebration and now must watch out for 4 competitors attacking their seventh place: in Milan to amaze again. But it will be tough for this Olimpia to be surprised another time. Nonetheless, a real game is coming, on the edge of a home win and over 160 total points.
Brescia-Virtus Bologna (03/25/24, 8:00 PM)
Wounded lioness, two losses in the last three, and a vulnerable lead in the standings on the eve of the head-to-head clash. The news is that after the stumble at the Final Eight, Magro's boys have lost clarity in the non-possession phase: the average of 92 points conceded in this period is a far cry from the best defense in Serie A. Bologna is not doing any better, walking hand in hand – two losses in the last three, including the most recent in overtime – and for the first time this season showing signs of nervousness. The expulsion of coach Banchi in Kaunas epitomizes a team at risk of losing a deserved direct qualification to the EuroLeague quarterfinals. But reality states only three wins in the last ten, even against inferior opponents, from Reggio to Pesaro. In Brescia, it will be a test of maturity, but the energies of Belinelli and his teammates are inevitably focused on Europe. A big match with a high degree of uncertainty, given the dimming on both fronts. Those looking for a gamble, however, might consider a total score just over 160: the defenses are generous, and especially Brescia's attack has never stopped biting.