Olimpia Milano - Virtus Bologna predictions and free betting tips [11/06/2024]

Milan and Virtus Bologna will face off today in the third game of the Italian Serie A basketball finals.

Milan

Olimpia Milan impressively reached the Italian championship finals, showcasing themselves as a strong team capable of dominating on the court. After a shaky start in the quarter-finals, where they lost their first game, Milan went on to win six consecutive matches, including a series against Trento and the semi-finals against Brescia, where their opponents were practically powerless - a 3-0 series and two wins by 10+ points. In the first final match against Virtus, Milan continued their impressive performance, securing an 86-75 victory after overtime, with Shavon Shields and Nikola Mirotić playing crucial roles in the attack.

However, in the second final match, the team failed to maintain their advantage, losing to Virtus 64-72. Milan struggled with shot execution, especially from beyond the arc, hitting just 8 out of 28 attempts. Shavon Shields, one of the most effective players in the first game, scored 13 points in the second match, while Devon Hall and Nikola Mirotić also added 13 points each. Despite this, the team's play and player interactions left much to be desired, reflected in their overall performance.

Virtus

Virtus Bologna managed to demonstrate confident play and advanced to the finals. In the quarter-finals, the team narrowly edged out Tortona 3-2, and in the semi-finals, they defeated Venezia 3-1. However, they started the final series against Milan with a loss, raising questions about their stability. In the first game of the final series, Virtus lost 80-75, but they bounced back in the second match, winning 72-64 thanks to a particularly effective performance by Tornike Shengelia, who scored 21 points. In the second match, Shengelia showcased excellent play on both ends of the court, with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist. However, the rest of the team also faced difficulties, especially Marco Belinelli, who struggled with shot accuracy, making only 3 out of 10 attempts. Key strategic roles were played by Isaia Cordinier (9+4) and Iffe Lundberg, who tried to maintain the backcourt level against strong opponents. Notably, Pajola contributed with 4 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists.  

Ahead of the next matches in Milan, coach Luca Banchi bears the responsibility of preparing the team. Virtus needs to strengthen their defensive actions and improve their shot conversion rate, especially during crucial moments of the game. The team's chances for the title depend on the improvement of Belinelli's play and the continued effective actions of Shengelia.

Match Prediction: Milan vs Virtus

Milan has a stronger line-up, which may prove pivotal during crucial moments of the match. In the second game, Mirotić, Melli, Napier, and Shields missed many opportunities and couldn't hit from beyond the arc, missing out on a series advantage. I predict a confident victory for Milan with the support of their home fans.