Virtus vs Venezia: Analysis and Prediction – Virtus will host Venezia in the Serie A semifinals game 1.
Virtus vs Venezia Odds
Virtus Team News
In the previous game, Virtus beat Tortona with a convincing 92:63, which allowed them to advance to the next stage of the competition. The most deserving for that were Tornike Shengelia with 22 points and Marco Belinelli with 15 points, for which the rival had no solution, so they were eliminated from the competition.
Virtus continued to play with many ups and downs. Ever since the end of last year, when they were second in the EuroLeague, this team has not been able to find a recognizable rhythm, both in defense and in offense, which was affected by injuries, but now it is evident that there are some deeper problems. Virtus needed as many as five games to eliminate the not so good Tortona, which is another proof that the team from Bologna is not in the best shape. Nevertheless, they managed to play one of the best matches in recent times and to use their recognizably aggressive defense to impose a rhythm and break the resistance of their opponents, who had something to hope for before the fifth game, not during it. Luca Banchi’s team played well at the right time and now have a little more confidence before the next challenge, which will only be more difficult. The rebound was crucial against Tortona, as Virtus collected 44, relying not so much on three-point shots (only 18 attempts), as on two – 42 attempts.
Perhaps even in such a calm and rational game there is a solution for the next encounter, which will not be easy at all. Venezia has proven that they can play hard and aggressively and in that sense they can match Virtus. The impression is that the team from Bologna will have to solve this series with offensive talent.
Venezia Team News
Venezia beat Reggiana 83:67 in the previous game and advanced to the next stage with a total of 3-2 in the quarterfinal series. The most effective players in that match were Rayjon Tucker with 25 points and Aamir Simms with 14 points. Now they have a much more difficult duel against a rival from the EuroLeague and it will not be easy for them.
Similar to Virtus, Venezia solved the previous series only after five games, with the fact that this team was in an even more difficult situation. They had to overturn 1-2 and in front of the visiting fans, and then win the decisive duel. That fourth game was crucial, since in it Venezia only won after the drama and won the next duel, in which they confirmed their place further. It was far from routine either. Venezia waited for the fourth quarter to kick into high gear and settle the duel in their favor thanks to plus 13 in the last 10 minutes. Otherwise, the question is what would happen. It can thus be concluded that Venezia had a lot of ups and downs during the playoffs so far and that there is no doubt that they will have to raise their level in the next series, if they want to reach the finals.
Venezia played a variety of games against Reggiana, trying equally for twos and threes and had the edge in rebounding. They should show all that against Virtus, with the fact that the first place is the game in defense. Stopping Marco Belinelli and Tornike Shengelia will be the main task of the players of this team.
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Virtus vs Venezia H2H
They played twice this season and the score is 1-1.
Absences and Injuries
Iffe Lundberg will not play for the home side, and neither will Devontae Cacok. Mfiondu Kabengele may skip the game for the away team.
Virtus vs Venezia Prediction
The two teams had a similar path this season, when you look at their performance in Europe, but also in the playoffs of Serie A. Both failed in European competitions and played their last five games in the quarterfinals of the domestic championship with ups and downs. Despite that, Virtus should have the advantage in the first game, mostly because of their offensive talent, so our prediction is that they will win by a margin higher than the offered spread.
Tip-off Time: Friday, 24.05.2024, 20:45 CET
Prediction: Virtus -8.5
Odds: 1.78
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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