By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A confident showing for Partizan Mozzart Bet in Uber Arena on Thursday.
Facing elimination from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, the Serbian club responded with a 94-83 victory versus ALBA Berlin in the capital of Germany.
Never trailing, but restoring a double-digit advantage down the stretch delivered the knockout to the Albatrosse.
Among five double-digit scoring contributions for the reigning champions of the AdmiralBet ABA League, James Nunnally reserved eight of his 19 points for the fourth quarter. The experienced forward also dished out four assists and added two steals. “It was a great win. We played hard for 40 minutes,” he described the team’s performance.
Kevin Punter stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal. “They always show up for us. They always come to support whether it is at home or on the road. That is what we expect every time,” the 30-year-old guard referred to the strong backing of Partizan loyals in Berlin, “We appreciate those fans traveling and showing support.”
Dozier, LeDay, Avramovic
PJ Dozier chipped in 15 points along with three assists, two rebounds, two steals, and one block. After ten points in the first quarter, Zach LeDay finished with 14 points. Aleksa Avramovic put up 11 more points. Ognjen Jaramaz and Uros Trifunovic did not suit up for Round 33. Former ALBA star, Jaleen Smith stayed on the bench with Mateusz Ponitka.
“I believe that in some minutes we played really well. Some minutes, not all of the game. The game was like our season, up and down. But finally, we found a way to be calm in the crucial moments,” recapped Zeljko Obradovic.
Bouncing back from two losses in a row, his side improved the season record to 15-18. After completing games on the road with only four wins, returning to Belgrade to host Valencia next Friday emerges as the last challenge of the Regular Season. “We live to fight another day,” previewed Nunnally.
On Monday, Partizan takes on Zadar in Belgrade to finish the ABA Regular Season. Already placed on the second seed of the Playoffs bracket, a dramatic conclusion to the Regular Season is not the case at the regional level.
Another home loss for ALBA
The hosts were forced down to 5-28, wrapping up home games in the EuroLeague with five straight defeats. Johannes Thiemann posted a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double. Louis Olinde (illness) was ruled out alongside Gabriele Procida (knee) and Matteo Spagnolo (right thigh).
“We played as hard as we can. I think we played a good game, but it is not enough for this level,” reacted head coach Israel Gonzalez, “We have to keep pushing.”
His side is heading to a home game against MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and an opportunity to go up to 19-5 in Germany’s easyCredit BBL on Sunday. The last continental outing is in Greece opposite Panathinaikos Aktor on Thursday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net