L’Olympiad manages to impose its defense even against the frenetic rhythms of Paris Basketballburying him in the first half (closed at +20, but with an advantage that even reached 22) and then controlling the second half even when the French, led by Nadir Hifithey tried to get closer. In the end it was an 86-77 team win with different protagonists between the first two halves of the match: Mannion and Sestina18 points in the first half, Brooks 12 all in the second to support veterans like Shields (who scored perhaps the most important basket of the second half) e Booker in addition to Ricci who didn’t find much rhythm when shooting, but brought down 10 rebounds, a crucial factor against a team that systematically attacks the scoreboard. Olimpia finished with 23 assists, 8 of Quinn Ellis.
THE FIRST HALF – The game is played at a very high, frenetic pace, as Paris Basketball always tries to do. Coach Tabellini after less than 3 minutes the entire quintet changes and after less than 5 they have already used 11 players, so Olimpia also has to adapt a little and make more frequent changes. The start is promising in defence, with Bolmaro spending himself on the number one public danger, Nadir Hifi. Olimpia starts 9-3 then collects a 7-0 setback and puts their heads under. But it’s just a moment, he posts a new 11-0 which includes 6 energy points from Nate Sestina and a three-point play completed by Shields. After Herrera’s triple following Tabellini’s second time-out, Mannion’s triple allows Milan to close the first period ahead 23-15.
In the second, Mannion sets the pace again: after two excellent defensive plays, he scores both from outside and through penetration. Olimpia takes over the double-digit lead and persists. Guduric scores the +16 from the corner at 37-21. The defense is effective, the attack moves the ball well and the only real suffering is in the rebound because Paris attacks the target with all its men and with great aggression. Dunston scores +23 from the line, then Olimpia finishes 47-27.
THE SECOND HALF – You can immediately see that Nadir Hifi will play a different second half, with 20 points, because he presents himself with a triple, canceled out by Ricci, but above all he gives more rhythm to his team. Paris hits a couple of missiles with Herrera and Ouattara. Armoni Brooks keeps her at bay with two more triples even while playing with 3 fouls, a problem that ruined his first half (Sestina also had 4). Paris Basketball gets back to -16, then Brooks makes three free throws and Hifi’s one closes the gap to 14 points, 67-53, at the end of the third quarter.
In the last minute Hifi again takes charge, bringing his team back to -8 at 67-59. At that moment, Shields hits the triple that eases the pressure and Booker puts two points on the board by converting an assist from Bolmaro. Guduric’s second triple makes the difference once again 17 points. At that point, Paris has one last gasp by taking advantage of an unsportsmanlike foul by Guduric. Brooks, however, scores again from three, completing a 12-point second half and Olimpia finishes 86-77.
