Sports
Euroleague, Virtus Bologna falls in Piraeus: Luca Banchi explains bad third period

Euroleague, Olympiacos-Virtus Bologna 74-69
Against a reality of great tradition such as Olympiacos, it is enough to make a mistake in even one of the four quarters to arrive at the final siren with a defeat. This is evidenced by Virtus Bologna’s ko at Piraeus: what characterized the 74-69 final è was in fact the 20-5 third period for the biancorossi, while the other three quarters added up saw Virtus score 64 points while conceding 54.
Luca Banchi harsh after Virtus’ knockout
Luca Banchi, on the sidelines of the game, was not è soft with his own: “C’è a lot of frustration – said the coach of the Black Vu’s -. We had a very good first half, we expected them to come back better but we did not react at all, at the team level, to their aggressiveness. We completely screwed up our approach after halftime”.
“We still have to congratulate Olympiacos,” Banchi added, “however, we cannot help but think about the decline in the quality of our basketball in the second half, especially in offense: the number of lost balls è increased, the number of assists dropped. They were more aggressive, we made bad decisions”.
Black Vu’s playoff run gets dicey
“To win this kind of games 30 minutes are not enough, you have to play 40, all excellent” commented again the coach born in 1965, grappling with the second consecutive defeat after last Sunday’s league one against Sassari, and with a generally lackluster period, since between the league, Italian Cup and Euroleague came three defeats in the last four games.
For the Black VUs, Thursday night’s was a heavy loss also from the standpoint of the standings: in fact, Virtus is now in the Play-in zone, in seventh place, although it has the same record (17 won and 11 lost) as the fifth and sixth, i.e., Olympiacos and Fenerbahce, which close the playoff zone. The other top positions are occupied by Real Madrid (22-6), Barcelona (19-9), Munich (18-10) and Panathinaikos (17-10). Behind Virtus, between eighth and 10th place, however, are Maccabi Tel Aviv (15-13), Baskonia (14-13) and Partizan (13-14). L’Olimpia Milan è fourteenth, with 11 won and 16 lost.
Sports
Trapani Shark leads the way, Jasmin Repesa reveals the secret

Jasmin Repesa, coach of the Trapani Shark, gave a lengthy interview to ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’. “I came here to challenge myself, because there was a very young, very ambitious project – he began -. A city that likes basketball, a president who provided an important budget, and a fan base that made us feel their support right away. And the team has responded well on the court. I am satisfied with what we have done so far”.
The newly promoted Granata are currently first in the LBA standings, along with Brescia and Virtus Bologna: “I never thought that far ahead. But I was confident. I am convinced that there is everything, or almost everything, to be very competitive, we have proven it. We are a team that can play good basketball, and we have become one of the most entertaining. People want to see basketball like we are playing”.
“Team success comes first – added the Croatian coach. “We have embraced this philosophy from day one, with so many players who have been real stars in the past at different clubs. It is the only way if we want to be really competitive”.
“There are six games left and the playoffs will be another competition. Surprises can always happen, it depends on a thousand factors: how you get there, whether you have luck or bad luck, whether there are injuries or not. We just have to keep improving and growing. In the season finale we have strong opponents waiting for us, with much more experience, much more tradition, but certainly not hungrier than us. Our advantage is having so many players who have made themselves available for the common result. This is our strength” Repesa concluded.
Sports
Milan-Inter: Conceiçao with a doubt, Inzaghi changes six

Milan and Inter face each other at 9 p.m. at the ‘Meazza’ in the first leg match of the Coppa Italia semifinal. After Bologna’s clear away victory over Empoli (3-0) with which it mortgaged the final, it will be the turn of the Nerazzurri and Rossoneri to challenge each other in the fourth Milan derby of the season.
Sergio Conceiçao starts again with Leao: the Portuguese will be back as a starter in the Rossoneri’s three-quarter, with Pulisic and one between Jimenez and Musah, with the former ahead in the ballot. In attack, Abraham is ahead of Gimenez for a shirt from the 1′.
Made choices in midfield, formed by Fofana and Reijnders, and in defense where Gabbia and Thiaw will play, with Walker and Theo Hernandez acting as full-backs, while Maignan will be in goal.
Simone Inzaghi, on the other hand, changes as many as six players from the challenge with Udinese, starting with the goalkeeper. Between the posts, in fact, there will be Josep Martinez in front of a revolutionized defense that will see the presence of Bisseck, De Vrij and Bastoni.
The goalkeeper will be Josep Martinez.
In the midfield, Asllani is disqualified: confirmation for Calhanoglu in the direction, assisted by Frattesi and Barella. In attack, with Lautaro Martinez and Taremi out, chance for Correa from 1′, paired with Thuram.
Sports
NBA, Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic show: Memphis knockout, Minnesota no

In the NBA night seven games were staged. At the FedExForum in Memphis, Steph Curry’s show with his 52 points (12 threes made) dragged the Golden State Warriors to victory over the Memphis Grizzlies (134-125).
At the Denver Nuggets, however, a stellar Nikola Jokic’s 61 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists was not enough, earning him his 31st triple-double of the season. In fact, at Ball Arena, it was the Minnesota Timberwolves who won, in the second overtime, 140-139.
The Milwaukee Bucks took advantage of Kevin Durant’s absence and beat the Phoenix Suns (133-123) thanks to the usual Giannis Antetokounmpo, author of 37 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists. It was also all easy for the New York Knicks who folded the Philadelphia 76ers (105-91) thanks to Og Anuoby’s 27 points off the bench.
Finally, the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic also win: the former beat the Atlanta Hawks (127-113), the latter overcame the Toronto Raptors (137-118), and the latter knocked out the San Antonio Spurs (116-105) thanks to 24 points from Paolo Banchero.
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