By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Playing their best offensive game of the entire season in front of the hottest European crowd, Partizan Belgrade managed to take down the leader of the EuroLeague standings, beating Real Madrid 104-90. However, the black-and-white team hasn’t qualified yet for the playoffs.
Six players on the Serbian side ended in double-digits, with Kevin Punter being the highest-scorer. The former Virtus Bologna and Olimpia Milano shooting guard had 16 with 6 assists and 3 steals.
“It was a convincing win for us, we have to keep it going. Team effort on both ends, that was needed against a great team. We want 2-0 in the last two games as well”, Kevin Punter commented following the victory.
The American 29-year-old was followed by Mathias Lessort, who went close to a double-double with 16 points and 8 rebounds, by Dante Exum, who had 15 points with 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and by James Nunnally, who had 14 points each.
“We are just one step from the playoffs, one of the goals of the season. We’ve got two games left, we’ve got to stay focused and then end the season on a great note. When everybody is dangerous, nobody can beat us”, the French center, who dominated the encounter against Edy Tavares, stated after the game.
On Real Madrid’s side, Dzanan Musa was once again the offensive leader for the Blancos, ending the away game with 22 points and 12/13 at the charity stripe.
The Bosnian 23-year-old was followed by Mario Hezonja and Gabriel Deck, who had 17 points each in the losing effort. The Argentinian small forward added 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
Chus Mateo couldn’t have Sergio Llull, Carlos Alocen, Anthony Randolph, and Nigel Williams-Goss. Zeljko Obradovic, who decided to start the game with Kevin Punter, Dante Exum, and Mathias Lessort on the bench, didn’t have the only Balsa Koprivica out due to mononucleosis.
In Round 33, the second-to-last of the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, Real Madrid will come back to Spain after having already clinched the home-court advantage to face Bayern Munich on April 6 at 20:45 CET. AS Monaco will host Partizan Belgrade on April 7 at 21:00 CET.
PHOTO CREDIT: Partizan Belgrade