The first playoff in the hunt for the Final 8 is won. And even in a simpler way than one thought: 86-69 at the PalaSerradimigni for the Sassari team against Naples.
Game decided in the second quarter with an 11-0 break promoted by a stellar Jones who finished the match with 28 points in 30 minutes to which he added 10 rebounds.
Napoli is still without Johnson (he remains in overalls), while Sassari is without Gentile (influenza) and Treier and is bringing back winger Raspino. It's raining in the wet: Jones gets hurt in the first action (left ankle, but after checking with Boccolini's trainer) and Robinson commits two fouls in about a hundred seconds. Dowe replaces him well showing resourcefulness in attack: 8-8 in the 4th minute.
The big Williams (just 202cm but great explosiveness) dominates close to the iron: 8 of his points in the 14-15 of the 8' minute. Robinson returns and pushes the Sassari attack together with Jones: +4.
In the second half Jones promotes the first advantage in double figures: 30-20 in the 14th minute. Williams continues to dominate in the paint (32-27) but commits three fouls. Jones' return puts Banco's wings back: 36-27 and even +16 after a triple from Bendzius and a free throw from Diop who does an excellent job in defense.
Upon his return, Chessa is still on the pitch (many minutes for the Sassari player three years ago in Naples) and Stephens finally breaks free after making a silent scene in attack in the first half. Uglietti tries to shake up the guests (49-39) but apart from an excellent Howard he doesn't find a following, also because Zerini is not Williams. The Bank checks and is always or almost ahead in double figures.
In the last quarter Jones reopens the show: +16, instead the wing scored 26 points in the 31st minute. Race over.
The tables
Sassari: Jones 28 Robinson 8 Dowe 7 Kruslin 10 Gandini ne, Devecchi, Treier ne, Chessa, Stephens 6 Bendzius 18 Raspino, Diop 9 All. Bucchi
Naples: Zerini 4 Howard 18 Johnson ne, Michineau 2 Dellosto 2 Matera ne, Davis 11 Uglietti 11 Williams 12 Stewart 3 Zanotti 6 Grassi ne. All. Buscaglia
