Givova vs Unahotels: Crucial Challenge for Salvation and Playoffs

The most indecipherable match of the season. Looking at the standings (Reggio seventh at 30 points, Scafati second to last at 12), to the performance of the red and whites away from home (8 wins in 12 games, best ranking in Serie A together with that of Brescia), to the result of the first leg, a peremptory +33 pro Vitali and his teammates, and to the undoubted difference in technical calibre, today's match between Givova Scafati e Unahotels they wouldn't even list it on Snai.

Even more so since the Campanians are coming off six consecutive defeats and at the end of March they lost their offensive beacon, Rob Gray, ended up in Türkiye. Yet, there are a couple of factors that make tonight's contest much more uncertain than one might think. The first is that the team led by the historic former Andrea Cinciarini a fundamental chance is being played on its path towards salvation: winning is a categorical imperative; on the other hand, the Reggio Emilia basketball, after the important home victory against Milan, could have his mind already partly focused on game 2 of the Bcl playoffs, Tuesday 8th at the PalaBigi.

Not to mention that Priftis's team will find a climate at the PalaMangano that to call hellish would be an understatement. Scafati, by tradition, turns into a very hot field when there is, depending on the year, a promotion or salvation at stake. And the contribution of its fans, and of the surrounding environment, really represents an added value to that of the team on the parquet.

In a normal situation, a Reggio even at just 60% of his engine revs he could carry out the blitz with relative ease. In the context outlined, however, the Reggio Emilia team will need to let him go at full speed to gain another two precious points towards the playoffs. In technical terms, the absence of Kenneth Faried, still in the US due to the family bereavement that has afflicted him. The US giant will be available for the match against Malaga on Tuesday, but today he will still be Gombauld to try to take his place. And as much as the Frenchman always gives it his all, "Manimal" is objectively something else.

Completing the 12 red and whites, after Gallo's loan move to Rieti, will be Thomas Bonaretti, 18 years old. Finally, speaking of numbers, today at Scafati they face the second best defense in the championship (that Unahotels with 77.5 points conceded on average, the first away from home with 78.8) against the best assist-man of the whole group who still remains, at 38 years old, Cinciarini; who makes over 7 marking passes per game, and is coming off the 26 points scored in the hard-fought away game in Trento. A good part of Scafatese's salvation, as happened for the rest of Reggio two years ago, it once again passes through the hands of the veteran from the Marche.