By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A fast start fueled from beyond the arc, Partizan Mozzart Bet went on to connect 13/23 triples and blow out Cazoo Baskonia, 83-65, Friday.
Setting the pace with ten points in the first quarter, Ioannis Papapetrou ended up with 13 points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 19.
“We lost over there. It was a tough loss and a tough period for us. It taught us a lot. From that point on, we have been working and trying to improve,” the Greek import recalled the overtime loss in the reverse fixture back in Round 2, “Tonight we played some periods of great basketball. Also, we got revenge against them.”
Extending the season streak of double-digit PIR showings, EuroLeague’s leading rebounder Mathias Lessort recorded a game-high PIR of 20 by stuffing the stat sheet with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block. But the French center praised the team effort and specifically Uros Trifunovic setting a new personal best for the 2022-23 season with 15 points.
“He played a great game tonight,” Lessort commented on the 22-year-old Serbian swingman, “I am very happy for him. He deserved that. He worked very hard and is dedicated to this team. He is doing a lot of dirty stuff for the team that we don’t see on the paper.”
Kevin Punter chipped in 12 more points while sharing a team-high three three-pointers with Papapetrou and Trifunovic. An impressive total of six double-digit scorers stretching to Dante Exum and Yam Madar putting in ten more points apiece. “We had to bounce back from the game against Maccabi,” Papapetrou referred to the loss against the team based in Tel Aviv Wednesday.
Both sides were coming off a loss at the top of the double-game week, but legendary head coach Zeljko Obradovic enjoyed his side jumping to 9-10. Baskonia’s third loss in a row dropped the overall tally to 11-8 and the road record to 3-7.
“Lot of positive things. First of all, defensively. Offensively not so much but it was enough to win the game,” summed up Obradovic. He missed Balsa Koprivica (illness) along with healthy scratches Vladimir Brodziansky and youngster Dordije Jovanovic.
Besides Markus Howard (back) missing the trip to Belgrade, the visitors ruled out Pierria Henry (right foot discomfort) one hour before tipoff at Stark Arena. Lacking two key members of the squad and potential solutions for a comeback bid in a hostile environment, only 11 players suited up for Joan Penarroya.
“Partizan played better,” confessed the Spanish tactician, “Our defense in the first minutes was not good. And we had problems in our offensive situations. Partizan deserved to win the game.”
The youngest captain in Partizan history, Vanja Marinkovic visiting for the first time turned in a game-high 16 points behind 4/9 triples but was kept silent in the fourth period. Maik Kotsar registered all of his nine points in the second half, including seven straight to keep his side competitive early in the third quarter.
The Vitoria-Gasteiz outfit, currently sharing the lead in Spain’s Liga Endesa standings with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, welcomes Joventut Badalona at La Fonteta Sunday. A EuroLeague home fixture opposite Barca follows Thursday.
Gunning for 13-2 in the AdmiralBet ABA League, Partizan will play host to MZT Skopje Aerodrom Monday. Visiting Valencia Thursday paints the picture for Round 20 of the Regular Season in Europe’s top-tier club continental competition.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net