By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Back in familiar territory, Zeljko Obradovic guided Partizan Mozzart Bet to a huge win, 73-72, against Fenerbahce Beko Thursday.
Despite shooting 41% from the field and losing Dante Exum to a fifth foul with 2:21 remaining in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 15 contest, the visitors prevailed in Ulker Sports And Event Hall, only the second win in eight games on the road this season, to jump to 6-9.
“This game came down to the last minute. Our losing streak was because of the last couple of minutes. So, it feels good to close it out,” reacted Kevin Punter following his 12-point effort in Istanbul. On milestone watch, both himself and Fenerbahce’s Devin Booker entered the list of players with 1,000 points in Europe’s premier club continental competition.
Recovering from a hand injury for his season and EuroLeague debut, Aleksa Avramovic emerged as the difference-maker. Dealing with big-time pressure right away, the Serbian guard tied the game with two free throws with 28.7 seconds remaining and followed up with the game-winning free throw with 3.5 seconds left. He logged six points and three rebounds in eight minutes.
“A game like this and with this kind of finish, it means luck was on our side,” commented Obradovic, the nine-time EuroLeague champion, including the 2017 title as the Fener boss, “Both teams had a possibility to win the game. This time, we got the win. We beat the leaders of the EuroLeague. We are very very proud of that.
Extending the season-long run of double-digit PIR showings, Mathias Lessort put in half of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. “It is a very big win for us. A very important game against a great team. It is good for our confidence to keep being on winning ways,” said the French forward, “We stayed composed. We followed the game plan. We did not lose our concentration in the end. We stayed focused. And that was the key for us.”
Facing a couple of former FC Barcelona teammates, Nick Calathes and Nigel Hayes-Davis, Exum ended up with ten points. Drawing the highest PIR at the opposite end, Calathes went for 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, and Hayes-Davis with nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
The team based in Belgrade dug its way out of an 11-point hole, the game-high separation surfacing in the third quarter. “We know the quality of Fenerbahce. And we tried to stay in the game. They took a lead but we never gave up,” mentioned Obradovic, “And because of that, we finally got in a position to win the game.”
From a brilliant seven-year run as the Fener play-caller, Obradovic was back as a visitor for the first time. Another intriguing storyline involving the legendary head coach was the latest matchup against longtime assistant at Panathinaikos, Dimitris Itoudis. He missed Balsa Koprivica (hand). Other players out of the lineup were Vladimir Brodziansky and Gregor Glas.
Sidelined with a knee injury for nearly one month, Scottie Wilbekin had 14 points, scoring exclusively in the middle quarters in the losing effort. Dyshawn Pierre finished with 13 points. The recent addition to the squad, Kostas Antetokounmpo did not play.
The reigning champions of Turkey’s BSL, carrying a 9-2 W-L tally in the domestic league, dropped to 10-5 in EuroLeague. It was the fifth straight loss across all competitions. “The game could have gone a different way. Small details here and there,” noted the losing tactician.
“We are a great club with great fans. We have a vision and obligations at the same time,” Itoudis added in the postgame press conference, “We have no reason to lose our faith. We proved, less than 15 days ago, that this team was playing good. It is sad but not disappointing.”
Fouling out with 3:24 left in the fourth quarter, Tonye Jekiri lasted 18 minutes. He tallied eight points and four rebounds in his last appearance before undergoing surgery. He will join the injury list, currently consisting of Nemanja Bjelica (calf) and Johnathan Motley (calf). Ismet Akpinar, Samet Geyik, and Tarik Biberovic were out as well.
Coming up next is the domestic edition of the Istanbul derby versus Anadolu Efes Monday. Switching back to the continental level, Fener will visit Virtus Segafredo Bologna next Friday.
Gunning for a 10-2 start in the AdmiralBet ABA League, Partizan will visit Igokea m:tel Sunday, prior to the EuroLeague home fixture opposite undermanned FC Bayern Munich next Thursday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net