By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano smashed visiting Buducnost Voli with a 111-94 victory in Round 16 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and started the year on a very positive note.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas was the leading scorer of the winners with 19 points (4/5 from the three-point line), while he also added four rebounds for the hosts that move up to an 8-8 record. Vladimir Micov also stepped up in the second half and finished the game with 18 points.
After an incredible offensive performance in the first quarter (36-22), Milano had set the foundations of their first victory for 2019 and managed to stay in control throughout the game.
With the help of Dairis Bertans (17 p.), Mike James (17 p.) and paced by Kuzminskas, Simone Pianigiani’s squad managed to stop Goga Bitadze’s incredible night (22 points, seven rebounds) as Buducnost sank further deep down the standings with a 3-13 record.
“For me, it’s important that everybody comes inside, makes a contribution. We are in a very difficult moment because many players are tired because we played so many games, also in our league, in December and also the injuries that we have. To win tonight, because now with the new players Buducnsot has an unbelievable potential to score”, mentioned coach Pianigiani in his post-game quotes.
It has also to be noted that Kaleb Tarczewski despite being injured played for Milan, giving 11 valuable minutes on the court.