In a thrilling encounter at PalaBarbuto, Napoli Basketball secured a stunning victory against EA7 Emporio Armani Milano, winning 95-87 on March 31, 2025. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Napoli rallying back in the final quarter, outscoring Milano 31-14, which turned the tide in their favor.
Napoli's performance was nothing short of spectacular, especially in the fourth quarter, where they capitalized on Milano's struggles. After trailing for much of the game, Napoli's players, led by the dynamic duo of Pullen and Green, found their rhythm and executed a comeback that left the Milano team reeling. The win marks Napoli's third consecutive victory, following earlier successes against Virtus Bologna and Scafati, and it brings them closer to securing their place in the league.
The game started with both teams exchanging early leads. Milano struck first with a free throw from Caruso, quickly followed by a basket from Shields, giving them a 3-0 lead. However, Napoli responded aggressively, with Green scoring four points in quick succession and Pullen hitting a three-pointer to push the score to 9-3. Milano called a timeout to regroup after a quick 9-0 run from Napoli.
As the first quarter progressed, Nikola Mirotic began to assert himself for Milano, scoring eight points and helping to narrow the gap to 19-17 by the end of the quarter. The second quarter saw Milano take the lead with a mini-break led by Ricci and LeDay, making it 25-19. Napoli, however, was resilient, responding with an 8-0 run of their own, highlighted by a transition three-pointer from Green to put them ahead 31-30.
The back-and-forth nature of the game continued, with Napoli taking a 36-32 lead at one point, but Milano finished the half strong, ending it at 41-47 thanks to three consecutive three-pointers from Shields, Mirotic, and Flaccadori.
Milano came out strong in the third quarter, extending their lead to as much as 15 points at 62-47, with Bolmaro contributing significantly. However, Napoli was not done yet. They began to chip away at the deficit, with Green and Zubcic leading the charge. By the end of the third quarter, Napoli had narrowed the gap to 64-73.
The final quarter was where Napoli truly shined. Pullen opened the scoring with a three-pointer, igniting the crowd and shifting the momentum. With a series of impressive plays, including a crucial three-pointer from Green and a dunk from Egbunu, Napoli surged ahead, eventually taking a 76-75 lead. Coach Messina of Milano called a timeout, but it did little to stem the tide.
As the minutes ticked down, Napoli continued to dominate. Egbunu's powerful dunk made it 85-76, and despite a late three-pointer from Mannion for Milano, Napoli maintained control. Pullen capped off his outstanding performance with a final three-pointer, sealing the game and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Pullen finished the game with 24 points, while Green added 21, contributing significantly to the team's victory. For Milano, Mirotic led the scoring with 22 points, and LeDay added 20, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a fourth loss in their last five games across both the domestic league and EuroLeague.
This match highlighted the stark contrast in team dynamics, with Napoli showing resilience and determination, while Milano struggled to find their footing in crucial moments. The loss raises questions about Milano's playoff aspirations as they prepare for their next match against Virtus Bologna.
Looking ahead, Napoli will be buoyed by this victory as they aim for safety in the league, while Milano needs to regroup quickly to stay in contention for the top spots. The excitement of the LBA continues as teams battle for supremacy in the final stretch of the season.
