The first real extension in the standings of Milan arrives on the 23rd day, which thanks to the success over Roma (the twelfth in a row) leads to two victories ahead of the Cantù-Brindisi duo, protagonists of the direct clash which saw the owners of Vitasnella's home, with consequent engagement in second place precisely in cohabitation with Enel (but with the difference baskets in favor of the Brianzas).
For the leaders another test as dominatrix on the parquet floor of the Forum, without Langford injured, heroes of the day Niccolò Melli, who achieved his career-high in Serie A with 24 points, and Bruno Cerella, more and more idol of the Milanese fans. Still in terms of points record, Drake Diener scored 44, yet another monstrous performance by the American fullback that allowed his Sassari to beat an excellent Venice at home. For Dinamo it is the fifth consecutive success, which alleviates the disappointment of the elimination from the Eurocup suffered during the week. Siena remains level on points with Sassari, which however loses a hard-fought Tuscan derby on the pitch of the increasingly surprising Pistoia, which can now really hope for a place in the playoffs.
But the most important news regarding Siena arrived a couple of days, with the official farewell of Ferdinando Minucci, its top manager who consensually leaves after more than 21 years and who will take up the role of new president from 1 July of the basketball league. It is the symbol of the end of a golden era for Mens Sana, from 1992 general manager of the company, from 1999 to 2012 he also covered the roles first of vice president and then of president, with him in command 8 championships arrived , a Saporta Cup, 4 Euroleague Final Fours and 5 Italian Cups, then in the last year and a half a few too many scandals and troubles, linked to the club's financial situation. After the satisfaction of reaching the Eurochallenge Final Four obtained during the week, Reggio Emilia also gets the second away victory of this championship, recovering in the final a Virtus Bologna in disarray, which suffers the fifth knockout in a row and finds itself more and more embroiled in the battle not to retreat. Varese, on the other hand, seems to have managed to ward off this specter, which by beating away Pesaro, always last, could also relaunch its candidacy among the top eight, however still 4 points away. Who at the moment is eighth is Caserta, which within the friendly walls of Palamaggiò manages to get the better of a growing Montegranaro, but which remains alone in the penultimate place, only two points above Pesaro.
Two points above Montegranaro (on a par with Bologna) is Cremona, who at home gets a fundamental victory against Avellino, never convincing this season and currently out of the playoffs, even if only 2 points away. With 7 rounds to go, therefore, giving Milan the first position almost for granted and the certainty of a place in the playoffs for Cantù, Brindisi, Siena, Sassari and Rome (the capitolini have a margin of eight points and the next one will receive at home Pesaro, in order not to hit the target they would have to commit a real harakiri), for the last two useful places Reggio Emilia, Caserta, Avellino, Pistoia and Venice will have to contend (five teams within 2 points, with at the moment Varese detached by another two pitches). Varese which should no longer be part of the tussle in order not to relegate, a fight which until the end could involve all the bottom four of the standings, i.e. Bologna, Cremona, Montegranaro and Pesaro.
