Serie A Round 30 (Regular Season): Milano beat Cremona by one after a very close game

The Regular Season in Serie A just ended. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Eleventh-ranked Cremona (12-18) used its home court advantage to challenge second ranked Armani Milano (22-8) on Sunday. The visitors from Milano managed to secure only one-point victory 73-72. However their fans expected much easier game. Milano made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. It was a good game for Spanish Nikola Mirotic (208-1991) who saved his team from a defeat with 25 points. Danish Shavon Shields (201-1994, college: Nebraska) contributed with 15 points and 5 assists for the winners. American Wayne McCullough (195-1994, college: CCU) replied with 16 points and 7 rebounds for Cremona. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Armani Milano have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Virtus. Newly promoted Cremona keeps the eleventh place with 18 games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams.
Serie A top team - Virtus Bologna (22-8) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Dolomiti Trentino (15-15) 108-61. The former international swingman Marco Belinelli (196-1986) scored 20 points and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Jordan Mickey chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American power forward Derek Cooke Jr (206-1991, college: Wyoming) with 11 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Virtus Bologna have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 22-8 record, which they share with Milano. Trento at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Pistoia.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Reggio Emilia (16-14) and Sassari (14-16), which took place in Sassari. Higher ranked Reggio Emilia was outleveled in a road game by tenth ranked Sassari 95-63 on Sunday. Alessandro Cappelletti notched a double-double by scoring 10 points, 6 rebounds and 15 assists to lead the effort. Even 11 points and 6 rebounds by Darion Atkins did not help to save the game for Reggio Emilia. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sassari moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Tortona and Napoli. Loser Reggio Emilia keeps the fifth position with 14 games lost.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 30: Brindisi was smashed by Brescia on the road 94-75. Venezia won against Pesaro on its own court 91-79. Tortona unfortunately lost to Treviso in a road game 74-87. Napoli managed to beat Scafati at home 102-92. Varese defeated Pistoia on the opponent's court 96-78.
The most impressive performance of 30th round was 6 points and 23 rebounds by Skylar Spencer of Varese.



Virtus BO - Trento 108-61

Serie A top team - Virtus Bologna (22-8) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Dolomiti Trentino (15-15) 108-61. Virtus shot 64.3 percent from the field and made 25-of-28 charity shots (89.3 percent) during the game, while Trento only scored seven points from the stripe. They outrebounded Trento 36-23 including a 33-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Virtus players were unselfish on offense dishing 30 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Trento's players. The former international swingman Marco Belinelli (196-1986) scored 20 points and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American power forward Jordan Mickey (203-1994, college: LSU) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Four Virtus Bologna players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American power forward Derek Cooke Jr (206-1991, college: Wyoming) with 11 points and 7 rebounds and the former international Davide Alviti (201-1996) scored 14 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Virtus Bologna have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 22-8 record, which they share with Milano. Trento at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Pistoia.
Top scorers:
Trento: D.Alviti 14+3reb, E.Quinn 12+1reb+3ast, D.Cooke Jr. 11+7reb+1ast, K.Baldwin 9+2reb+6ast, P.Biligha 6+5reb+1ast, M.Mooney 5
Virtus BO: M.Belinelli 20+1reb+4ast, T.Shengelia 15+2reb+4ast, J.Mickey 14+7reb+1ast, G.Lundberg 11+1reb+6ast, A.Abass 9+1reb+1ast, B.Mascolo 8+4reb+1ast

Brescia - Brindisi 94-75

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Brescia (21-9) crushed at home 15th ranked Brindisi (10-20) 94-75 on Sunday. Brescia had a 27-15 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Brindisi's players. The former international Amedeo Della Valle (192-1993, college: Ohio St., agency: SLN) notched 18 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and American forward Jason Burnell (201-1997, college: Jax State) supported him with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Brescia's coach Alessandro Magro used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 16 points and 5 assists by American guard Jamel Morris (193-1992, college: Fairmont St.) did not help to save the game for Brindisi. American-Maltese point guard Eric Washington (183-1993, college: Miami, OH) added 10 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Brescia maintains third position with 21-9 record behind leader Virtus BO. Loser Brindisi keeps the fifteenth place with 20 games lost. They share the position with Pesaro.
Top scorers:
Brindisi: J.Morris 16+1reb+5ast, J.Bayehe 12+4reb, E.Washington 10+6reb+3ast, X.Sneed 10+4reb, N.Laszewski 8+1reb, F.Bartley IV 6+1reb+3ast
Brescia: A.Della Valle 18+3reb+5ast, N.Akele 16+5reb+2ast, K.Gabriel 15+5reb, J.Burnell 12+9reb+5ast, M.Bilan 9+8reb+3ast, M.Cobbins 8+4reb

Venezia - Pesaro 91-79

Very expected game when 16th ranked Pesaro (10-20) lost on the road to fourth ranked Umana Venezia (19-11) 91-79 on Sunday. Venezia made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. Venezia outrebounded Pesaro 38-27 including a 33-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward Aamir Simms (203-1999, college: Clemson) notched 21 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and Canadian power forward Mfiondu Kabengele (207-1997, college: FSU) supported him with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Five Umana Venezia players scored in double figures. Even 21 points and 5 rebounds by American Markis McDuffie (203-1997, college: Wichita St.) did not help to save the game for Pesaro. His fellow American import point guard Justin Wright-Foreman (183-1997, college: Hofstra) added 20 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Venezia maintains fourth position with 19-11 record. Loser Pesaro stay at the bottom place with 20 games lost. They share the position with Brindisi.
Top scorers:
Pesaro: M.McDuffie 21+5reb+3ast, J.Wright-Foreman 20+5reb, T.Bluiett 19+5reb, L.Love 6+5reb+1ast, R.Visconti 3+1ast, V.Mazzola 2
Venezia: A.Simms 21+5reb+3ast, J.Parks 17+5reb, C.Davide 12+3ast, K.Wiltjer 11+3reb, R.Tucker 10+6reb+3ast, M.Kabengele 10+12reb+3ast

Sassari - Reggio Emilia 95-63

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Reggio Emilia (16-14) and Sassari (14-16), which took place in Sassari. Higher ranked Reggio Emilia was outleveled in a road game by tenth ranked Sassari 95-63 on Sunday. Sassari shot 66.1 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 55.2 percentage. Sassari looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Reggio Emilia's players. Point guard Alessandro Cappelletti (186-1995) notched a double-double by scoring 10 points, 6 rebounds and 15 assists to lead the effort and American forward Alfonzo McKinnie (202-1992, college: Green Bay) supported him with 22 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!). Four Sassari players scored in double figures. Even 11 points and 6 rebounds by American forward Darion Atkins (203-1992, college: Virginia) did not help to save the game for Reggio Emilia. His fellow American import guard Langston Galloway (188-1991, college: St.Joseph's) added 12 points. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sassari moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Tortona and Napoli. Loser Reggio Emilia keeps the fifth position with 14 games lost.
Top scorers:
Reggio Emilia: L.Galloway 12+3reb+1ast, D.Atkins 11+6reb, F.Mouhamed 10+2reb, B.Weber 8+3ast, A.Cipolla 7+1ast, S.Grant 6+5reb+1ast
Sassari: A.McKinnie 22+6reb, B.Tyree 17+4ast, S.Gombauld 12+10reb+1ast, A.Cappelletti 10+6reb+15ast, F.Kruslin 9+1reb, O.Diop 9+1reb+1ast

Cremona - Milano 72-73

Eleventh-ranked Cremona (12-18) used its home court advantage to challenge second ranked Armani Milano (22-8) on Sunday. The visitors from Milano managed to secure only one-point victory 73-72. However their fans expected much easier game. Milano made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. It was a good game for Spanish Nikola Mirotic (208-1991) who saved his team from a defeat with 25 points. Danish Shavon Shields (201-1994, college: Nebraska) contributed with 15 points and 5 assists for the winners. American Wayne McCullough (195-1994, college: CCU) replied with 16 points and 7 rebounds and his fellow American import Trevor Lacey (191-1991, college: NC State) added 10 points and 5 assists in the effort for Cremona. Four Cremona players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Armani Milano have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Virtus. Newly promoted Cremona keeps the eleventh place with 18 games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams.
Top scorers:
Cremona: W.McCullough 16+7reb+1ast, N.Adrian 13+3reb+1ast, C.Davis 10+4ast, P.Eboua 10+7reb, T.Lacey 10+2reb+5ast, S.Zanotti 6+3reb
Milano: N.Mirotic 25+3reb, S.Shields 15+4reb+5ast, G.Ricci 8+2reb, N.Melli 7+7reb+1ast, S.Napier 6+1reb+3ast, D.Flaccadori 5+3reb+1ast

Treviso - Tortona 87-74

There was a surprise result when thirteenth ranked Treviso (12-18) won against at home higher ranked Tortona (14-16) 87-74 on Sunday. Lithuanian Osvaldas Olisevicius (200-1993) notched a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and American guard DAngelo Harrison (193-1993, college: St.John's) supported him with 27 points. Even 16 points by American guard Colbey Ross (185-1998, college: Pepperdine) did not help to save the game for Tortona. His fellow American import forward Kyle Weems (198-1989, college: Missouri St.) added 13 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Tortona's coach Walter De Raffaele rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Treviso moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Tortona keeps the eighth position with 16 games lost. They share it with Sassari and Napoli.
Top scorers:
Tortona: C.Ross 16+4reb+1ast, K.Weems 13+5reb+2ast, T.Baldasso 11+1reb+1ast, L.Radosevic 11, C.Dowe 8+2reb+1ast, R.Obasohan 7+5reb+3ast
Treviso: D.Harrison 27+3reb+1ast, O.Olisevicius 16+11reb+5ast, T.Allen 16+3reb, K.Bowman 15+6reb+2ast, J.Robinson 8+3reb+1ast, A.Zanelli 4+1ast

Napoli - Scafati 102-92

Not a big story in a game when 12th ranked Scafati (12-18) lost on the road to ninth ranked Napoli (14-16) 102-92 on Sunday. Napoli made 26-of-32 free shots (81.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Croatian Tomislav Zubcic (213-1990) notched 20 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and Canadian point guard Tyler Ennis (188-1994, college: Syracuse) supported him with 19 points and 4 assists. Napoli's coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 18 points and 7 rebounds by point guard Riccardo Rossato (190-1996, agency: Players Group) did not help to save the game for Scafati. American guard Gerald Robinson (185-1989, college: Georgia) added 17 points. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Napoli moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Sassari and Tortona. Scafati lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with 18 games lost. They share it with 3 other teams.
Top scorers:
Scafati: R.Rossato 18+7reb+3ast, G.Robinson 17+2reb+3ast, G.Blakes 17+3reb, K.Pinkins 13+2reb+3ast, A.Gentile 10+4reb+2ast, J.Gamble 6+6reb+1ast
Napoli: T.Zubcic 20+5reb+2ast, T.Ennis 19+3reb+4ast, M.Sokolowski 14+6reb+2ast, A.Lever 13+3reb+4ast, J.Pullen 13+3ast, M.Brown 11+4reb+3ast

Pistoia - Varese 78-96

There was a surprise result when fourteenth ranked Openjobmetis Varese (12-18) defeated on the road higher ranked Pistoia (15-15) 96-78 on Sunday. Varese made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. The former international guard Davide Moretti (190-1998, college: Texas Tech) notched 30 points to lead the effort and the former international point guard Nicolo Mannion (190-2001, college: Arizona) supported him with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Even 18 points by American forward Jordon Varnado (198-1997, college: Troy) did not help to save the game for Pistoia. His fellow American import point guard Charlie Moore (183-1998, college: Miami, FL) added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Varese moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with 3 other teams. Newly promoted Pistoia keeps the sixth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Trento.
Top scorers:
Pistoia: J.Varnado 18+4reb+1ast, R.Hawkins 13+5reb+1ast, C.Moore 12+5reb+4ast, A.Del Chiaro 10+9reb, C.Wheatle 8+6reb, P.Willis 7
Varese: D.Moretti 30+2reb+1ast, S.McDermott 21+8reb, N.Mannion 18+6reb+7ast, G.Brown 11+5reb+1ast, S.Spencer 6+23reb+1ast, T.Woldetensae 6+1reb