The feat in Euroleague. Olimpia, divine evening. Panathinaikos knocked out

From the worst night in its history in the Euroleague, to the best night of the year at European level. Seven days later Olimpia puts on its dress for the big occasions and defeats the reigning champions of Panathinaikos Athens with a sensational 87-75 that immediately gives new life to the continental ambitions of the Milanese. It does so despite a packed "injury bench", but above all thanks to a Zack LeDay in a night of grace that impacts its “carter high“ with 33 points (7/10 from 2 and 5/7 from 3). It also does so by drawing from the bench the Gillespie-Caruso duo that dominates the boards with 15 points and 10 rebounds as a pair. Milan starts well with Gillespie energetic and Mannion author of the free throws for 13-11 at 5'. Panathinaikos, on the other hand, suffered a decidedly hot Nunn, so the challenge remains in contact at 15-16 for the Greeks. With Dimitrjevic the red and whites close the first period ahead (17-16), then they also reach 21-16 again with Gillespie, but with two consecutive triples and an assist Sloukas props up the Athenian overtaking at 21-24 at 12'. Milan's response is entrusted to LeDay, this time it is the American who puts two bombs in a row and the inertia changes again (27-24). The Forum goes crazy when the wing produces another 4 points for a 10-0 entirely marked by him who launches the EA7 (31-24). The "Pana" comes closer at the interval 39-37 always led by the wisdom of Sloukas, ties at the beginning of the second half (39-39), but Milan is on the ball and goes back ahead 46-39 with Mannion. The same, however, with two consecutive turnovers rekindles the Greeks who come closer (54-48).

From the bench, Milan draws a Caruso who definitely holds his own, scores and takes rebounds in defense, thus bringing EA7 to a double-digit advantage on 61-50 at 28'. Behind, Olimpia rotates perfectly, recovering several balls that they then convert on the other side of the court, reaching 66-50 at 30'. The Greeks are in an emergency so they immediately rely on "doctor" Sloukas who in an instant lights up the game (68-59) with three consecutive bombs. Armani instead draws Gillespie's baskets from the garbage and returns to safety (74-59). Pana finally relies on Nunn (74-65), but the Forum can finally explode when for the umpteenth time Zack LeDay he hits from the arc sending his Armani flying at 80-67 without looking back.

EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI MILAN-PANATHINAIKOS ATHENS 87-75 (17-16, 39-37, 66-50)