Milan Breaks Through at Home
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan finally halted their troubling slide with a convincing 86-77 home victory over Paris Basketball in Round 8 of EuroLeague action. After enduring a painful stretch that saw them drop five of their previous six contests, the Italian giants rediscovered their winning formula before a crowd of 7,005 at home, delivering a performance that showcased both their defensive intensity and offensive balance.
The victory was particularly sweet for Milan, who had been struggling to find consistency after consecutive losses to Barcelona and Valencia Basket. The home side controlled the game from the opening tip, establishing a commanding first-half lead that Paris could never quite overcome despite a spirited third-quarter rally.
First Half Dominance Sets the Tone
Milan came out with purpose and determination, racing to a 23-15 advantage after the first quarter. The home team's defensive pressure disrupted Paris's offensive rhythm, forcing difficult shots and limiting second-chance opportunities. The Italian squad's ball movement was crisp, and they found quality looks throughout the opening period.
The second quarter proved even more decisive as Milan tightened the screws defensively. Holding Paris to just 12 points in the period, Milan extended their lead to 47-27 by halftime. The 20-point cushion represented a dominant 24 minutes of basketball, with Milan controlling the paint, winning the rebounding battle, and making Paris uncomfortable on nearly every possession.
The visitors looked disjointed and unable to find any offensive flow, shooting poorly from beyond the arc and struggling to get quality looks in the half-court. Milan's defensive scheme effectively neutralized Paris's primary options, forcing them into contested shots and turnovers.
Paris Fights Back in Second Half
Whatever was said in the Paris locker room at halftime had an immediate effect. The French side came out with renewed energy and aggression, outscoring Milan 26-20 in the third quarter. Nadir Hifi led the charge for Paris, attacking the basket with confidence and drawing fouls. The guard was sensational throughout the night, finishing with a game-high 24 points on 9-of-23 shooting, adding 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 25 minutes of action.
Paris's third-quarter surge cut Milan's lead to single digits, and suddenly the home crowd grew nervous. The momentum had clearly shifted, and Paris looked capable of completing an improbable comeback. Justin Robinson provided a spark off the bench with 11 points, while Sebastian Herrera knocked down crucial three-pointers, also finishing with 11 points.
The fourth quarter became a test of Milan's resolve. Could they withstand Paris's momentum and close out the game, or would their recent struggles with finishing games rear their head once again? Paris continued to pressure, outscoring Milan 24-19 in the final period, but ultimately the first-half deficit proved too large to overcome.
Balanced Scoring Leads Milan
While Milan may not have had a single dominant scorer, their balanced attack proved effective throughout the contest. Devin Booker led the way with an efficient 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block in 24 minutes. Booker's ability to finish around the basket was crucial, as he converted 5 of 7 two-point attempts and made all three of his free throws.
Armoni Brooks provided a significant lift off the bench, scoring 12 points including three three-pointers in 20 minutes. Brooks's perimeter shooting helped space the floor and kept Paris's defense honest, and he contributed across the board with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.
Giampaolo Ricci recorded a double-digit performance with 9 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards that led to crucial second-chance opportunities. His presence on the glass was vital in maintaining Milan's control of the game, particularly when Paris made their second-half run.
Quinn Ellis orchestrated the offense beautifully, dishing out 8 assists while adding 7 points. His court vision and decision-making kept Milan's offense flowing smoothly, and he rarely forced the issue despite Paris's increasing defensive pressure. Shavon Shields contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds, providing veteran steadiness when the game became competitive in the second half.
Bench Production Makes the Difference
One of the key factors in Milan's victory was the production from their second unit. Niccolo Mannion provided quality minutes with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting in just 12 minutes, giving Milan an offensive boost when the starters needed rest. Nathan Sestina was perfect from two-point range, hitting all three of his attempts for 8 points in 10 minutes.
Perhaps most impressively, veteran Bryant Dunston showed his continued value despite his age, recording 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in 15 minutes off the bench. His defensive presence and activity disrupted Paris's offensive flow during crucial stretches. Marko Guduric added 7 points and 3 assists, providing solid two-way play in his 19 minutes on the court.
Paris's Struggles from Deep
While Nadir Hifi kept Paris in the game with his aggressive scoring, the visitors struggled mightily from three-point range as a team. Paris attempted 41 three-pointers but connected on just 8 of them, a dismal 19.5% conversion rate that ultimately doomed their comeback effort. When you dig yourself a 20-point hole through two quarters, you need to shoot better than that from distance to complete a comeback.
Amath M'Baye went 0-for-3 from beyond the arc, while Joel Ayayi missed both of his three-point attempts. Even though players like Herrera hit some important triples, the overall percentage was simply too low to overcome Milan's first-half advantage.
The starting frontcourt of Mouhamed Faye combined for just 6 points on 2-of-5 shooting before picking up three fouls. Paris's interior presence was limited, which allowed Milan to control the paint and the rebounding battle for much of the contest.
Critical Rebounding Edge
Milan's dominance on the glass, particularly on the offensive end, provided them with numerous second-chance opportunities that helped maintain their lead even as Paris improved defensively. Ricci's 5 offensive rebounds were complemented by strong work from the entire team, with multiple players crashing the boards aggressively.
The offensive rebounding edge gave Milan additional possessions and forced Paris to defend longer sequences, wearing down their defenders and creating fouling situations. Milan's 35 total rebounds compared favorably to Paris's effort, and those extra opportunities proved decisive in a game where Paris actually outscored Milan by 7 points over the final 20 minutes.
Looking Ahead
For Milan, this victory is crucial in stopping the bleeding after a difficult stretch. Entering Round 8 with losses in five of six games, the pressure was mounting on the Italian powerhouse to rediscover their form. While the second-half performance will give coach some concerns, the ability to build a substantial lead and then withstand a strong comeback attempt shows character and resilience.
The balanced scoring attack and solid bench production are positive signs moving forward. If Milan can maintain this level of defensive intensity in the first half while improving their ability to close games in the second half, they should be able to climb the EuroLeague standings.
Paris, meanwhile, falls to another road defeat despite the impressive individual performance from Nadir Hifi and a spirited second-half showing. The slow starts continue to plague the French club, and you simply cannot spot quality EuroLeague opponents 20-point halftime leads and expect to complete comebacks consistently. The three-point shooting must improve, and the team needs to find more offensive consistency from their frontcourt players.
This game demonstrated both teams' current trajectories—Milan searching for consistency while showing flashes of the quality that makes them dangerous, and Paris displaying the fighting spirit and talent to compete but lacking the experience and execution to finish road games against quality opponents. For Milan, ending their losing streak at home provides much-needed confidence as they navigate the challenging EuroLeague schedule ahead.
