Bitter debut for the new coach Piero Bucchi: Napoli conquers PalaSerradimigni, 74-75 the end of a very tight and frantic match. Dinamo also have the action for the victory, but they manage it badly by sending center Mekowulu to a three-point shot, who takes the iron. The fifth defeat in a row removes the Sassari team from the Final 8 of the Italian Cup.
The defense was better, the speed of the game was also better, but the 6/32 from three and the 14/21 from the line cost dearly to a team that moreover had to do less than Burnell in the second half due to an injury.
The quintet starts well with Gentile, Kruslin (re-debut for the Croatian), Burnell, Bendzius and the center Mekowulu who puts more energy into it and is better served by his teammates. Sassari reaches +8 (15-7 at 6 ') with a dunk by Mekowulu and Bendzius from outside.
Naples returns with Zerini's offensive rebounds and Parks 'moment of agonistic trance which is unstoppable (goes to 13 points): -4 at 14'. Burnell hurts his shoulder as he tries to crush. Parenthesis: incomprehensible arbitrage.
Logan unlocks Sassari from the arc but is still 2/15 from three to rest for the team, while Napoli defends well and tries to get away with an 8-meter basket from Pargo: 32-40 at 19 '.
In the third quarter Dinamo continues to shoot from three points (2/21) but with the defense of devecchi and Kruslin still manages to move forward: 52-51 at 28 'with Battle entry and pirouette. Treier's second unsportsmanlike causes the expulsion and allows the guests to overtake.
Sassari drops to -6 after Velicka's bomb without rhythm, but Logan returns (with Gentile da play) and scores 5 points for a draw: 66-66 in the 36th minute. The dealer slips to -5, but on the 24 second siren Logan equalizes (74-74). Velicka puts only one free, but that's enough because Naples spends three fouls to slow down the Dinamo that plays badly the last action serving Mekowulu for the three-point shot that goes on the iron.
The scores
Sassari : Logan 18 Kruslin 5 Gandini ne, Devecchi, Treier, Chessa ne, Burnell 2 Bendzius 17 Mekowulu 20 Gentile 4 Battle 8 Diop. Herds Bucchi
Naples : Zerini 8 McDuffie 15 Pargo 5 Sauro ne, Velicka 12 Sinagra ne, Parks 13 Marini 3 Uglietti, Lombardi 4 Rich 15 All. Sacripanti.