Half-time: The first half of the regular season in the EuroLeague ends with the 17th gameday, with Bayern's basketball team visiting Milan on Friday evening (9 p.m./MagentaSport). As was recently the case with new league leaders Monaco (74:93), Gordon Herbert's team will face one of the strongest teams in form in recent weeks: Armani Olimpia have won eight of their last ten games, so despite Tuesday's clear defeat in Athens (74:103), the Italian champions are on course for the play-offs after a very poor start to the season.
However, the standings in the top flight are extremely tight, with almost all teams still in contention for the postseason: From third place (10:6) to 15th (7:9), there is only a three-win difference, with only Tel Aviv (4:12), Bologna and Berlin (3:13 each) being left behind at the moment. Munich (10:6) and Milan (9:7) are right in the middle thanks to their home strength.
Olimpia has won eight of its last ten games
Center Jo Voigtmann knows his way around there after two years in an Olimpia jersey and is also aware of the importance of the game: “After the poor game in Monaco, it's important for us to get back on track,” says the world champion, “We also want to get more wins away from home. To do that, we have to stop Milan's very good offense, then we have a chance.”
This offense recently consisted mainly of Nikola Mirotic (18.6 PpS, 43% threes), with the top star averaging just under 22 points in the last eight games. Milan's comeback also has a lot to do with the recovery of guard Shavon Shields (9.9) and the re-signing of playmaker Niccolo Mannion (10.0, 5.1 ApS), who joined from Varese in November. Veteran Zach Leday is also playing a personal record season (16.1 PpS, 54% threes).
The Munich club will also see some good acquaintances back at the Unipol Forum: Argentinian Leandro Bolmaro, who won the double with Bayern last season, as well as Diego Flaccadori and recently re-signed center Freddie Gillespie, two other former players.
“Milan have been playing excellently for six weeks. Great respect for coach Messina, his team is now at the highest level and a huge challenge for us. It's obvious that we haven't played very well away from home in the EuroLeague so far. But I hope that we can play better with a few adjustments,” said coach Herbert.