betprepare.com

The toughest away game for Milano thus far

Venezia are well-experienced, full aware of the importance of this game and the points up for grabs in it. They are in the runner-up spot right after Milano, who are on a 12-game winning run, but definitely aren't invincinble

The last and the most interesting match of round 18 is the clash between top table Milano and runner-ups Venezia. The home team will try and end Milano's 12-game winning run in the championship and get back at them for the 80-71 defeat at Mediolanum Forum.

Venezia are in high spirits after tying two wins over Avellino home (79-71) and Roma away (72-62). It was a tough road match i Rome which Venezia managed to settle in the last 10 minutes despite being one step ahead of the opponents for the most part. They finished with 11 three-pointers and 18 assists, with Peric, who's been at his top level, recording team-high 15 points, plus 5 rebound and 4 assists. 

Peric had fever struggles the last few days but Recalcati says he'll be there:

- He was much better Saturday and will play for sure.

Recalcati needs his top player since Milano aren't an easy task, not even in home games:

- They balance the offense and defense well, they're good at rebounding. Hackett is now back to increase their physicalpower and defense aggressiveness. They have the best 2 and 3-pointer efficiency, as well as free-throw efficiency. That means we need to do well in defense to prevent them from taking open shots. We'll focus on defense first and on offense second. 

Venezia now have well-experienced Nelson, Jackson, and much better Stone, unlike in the first head-to-head.

Milano keep on extending their winning run in the Italian league, proving that there isn't a team capable of standing up to them at this point. They beat Trento last round 102-84, with two good quarters being everything they needed. Brooks did great to finish with 28 points.

Milano then went on to meet Efes home in what might as well been the crucial game in their Euroleague campaign. But Milano lost 73-71 despite being very close for the most part of the game, with the lead going back and forth from one opponent to the other. Efes did the finish better and won. Milano's shooters were not productive (5-for-23 in three pointers), with Gentile's absence proving too be a great handicap for the team. Brooks stepped in to add 18 points, just like Hackett, but that wasn't enough in the end. Milano are now on a 1-2 record, with very little chance of making it into playoffs. But, the chance is still there. 

We need to wait and see what their response will be after the defeat, but that was never a problem as they would do well in the championship even after bad defeats. Coach Banchi seemed to have forgotten all about the defeat to Efes:

- We are in good rhythm in the Italian league as we face runner ups Venezia. They are doing well and now have well-experienced and reliable players like Nelson and Jackson to count on. Our task is to find solutions for their game and their pace - Banchi concluded.

The venue has been sold out for days now and Milano will clearly have to cope with the fiery atmosphere. 

 

I can't help but constantly think that Milano are just a shadow of the team from last season. They are on a 12-game winning run but the quality of the Italian league is not very good. Reggiana and Venezia are their only contenders, with Sassari sometimes doing brilliantly. As the preview says, this will be their toughest away game in the season. Venezia are the runner-ups and will try their absolute best to get only two points short of the top table opponents. They are among the best defenses in the league (73 points on average) and need to be good on the defensive end today in order to create the chance for a win. Milano record 85 on average, but the stats are blown up by their performances against poor defenses (Varese 105, Sassari 112 and Trento 102. When faced with good defenses, Milano are nowhere near as convincing (Cremona 68, Avellino 69, Reggiana 76, Roma 79, Pistoia 79). None of those matches is over this margin, while Venezia had overs only against fast-paced Varese (95) and Sassari (83 in regulation time). Stone, Goss, and Viggiano are very good guards at Venezia, and Nelson, Ortner and Ress proved they can deal with Samuelson and Melli in the final last season. The total under at 154 is a good choice as well.