By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Zach LeDay was “sacrificed” two summers ago by Milan for financial reasons and came back with a vengeance, but in the end, the Italians got a big win over Partizan in the first home game of the Serbs in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague since 2014.
In the classic duel of the coaches between Zeljko Obradovic and Ettore Messina, Milan prevailed on the road 80-75 road over Partizan, despite 23 points on 5/6 threes by LeDay for the home side.
On the other hand, Shavon Shields scored 25 points for the winning side and close the game the right way during crunch time.
It was a game of runs with Partizan starting the game leading 27-17 in the first quarter. However, at the end of the third Milan had a one-point advantage (62-61). Partizan started the last period with a 10-0 run (71-62) and Milan answered with their own 10-2 stretch (73-72) which ended up being a 15-2 partial score.
“We had a very bad start maybe of the atmosphere, maybe because we were cold, and maybe because we attacked too much with their jump shot instead of going inside. The game changed when we were more physical. We matched their physicality. It was overwhelming at the beginning and when we started to move the ball on offense, when all of my players, who I really want to congratulate, stepped up and showed that they can play in difficult circumstances with personality”, said coach Messina after the game.
With two minutes left, Shavon Shields gave to Milan the 74-73 lead from the free throws line, while Partizan simply couldn’t score. Brandon Davies (photo) with two free throws and Kevin Pangos with a layup made the score 78-73 with 22 seconds left.
The game was over, Shields made two more free throws and Mathias Lessort also scored a consolation bucket to end the game for a total of 12 personal points and 10 rebounds.
Davies had 15 points for the winning side, Pangos added 12 points and Billy Baron scored 10 as Milan got a 2-1 record and Partizan stays at 0-3.
“Turnovers, without a question, were the key to the game. We started lazily in the second half and by the time we turned the game to our side, we had incredible turnovers. This decided the game. Congratulations to Milan, of course, and thanks to our fantastic people”, admitted coach Obradovic with his team making 15 turnovers and two crucial in the last two minutes.
Photo credit: EuroLeague