Marko Guduric's clutch performance and a dramatic last-second review led EA7 Emporio Armani Milan to a thrilling 77-76 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on Friday night. The Italian side's winning streak extended to three games, and their record improved to 14-13 in EuroLeague Round 27. Guduric was the star, racking up 18 points and seven assists, while also leading the team with a performance index rating of 23. Quinn Ellis contributed 13 points and five rebounds, and Armoni Brooks and Zach LeDay added double-digit scores for a balanced attack.
The French club started strong, showcasing crisp ball movement and accurate perimeter shooting to take an early lead. However, Milan's defense tightened, and they slowed the pace before halftime, taking a five-point lead into the break. In the third quarter, Peppe Poeta's team stretched the lead to double digits by exploiting closeouts and converting efficiently inside, shooting an impressive 66.7 percent on two-point attempts.
Despite committing 17 turnovers, Milan's defense held firm, protecting the paint and securing defensive rebounds in the crucial moments. ASVEL, led by Braian Angola's 23 points, made a late push, but their struggles inside the paint, where they converted only 42.5 percent of their two-point shots, proved costly. With under a minute left, ASVEL cut the deficit to one, but a controversial review denied them a potential game-winning dunk by Mbaye Ndiaye, ultimately sealing Milan's victory.
The loss dropped ASVEL to 7-20, while Milan remains in the playoff race, aiming for a fourth consecutive win when they host Dubai Basketball next week. The French side will then travel to Valencia Basket the following Thursday.
