By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Playing for the fans and determined to snap a two-game losing streak in Belgrade Arena before completing the latest Turkish Airlines EuroLeague expedition, Partizan Mozzart Bet overpowered Valencia on Friday.
Pulling away in the fourth quarter after nine lead changes and multiple scoring runs produced by both teams, the Belgrade outfit earned a win, 79-66.
Anadolu Efes claiming the remaining Play-In spot on Thursday knocked out the team coached by Zeljko Obradovic before finishing the 34-game round-robin double-legged schedule of the Regular Season at 16-18. Twelve of those wins were at home with the constantly loud support of loyal fans.
A game-high 19 points by James Nunnally behind 6/8 field goals. The 33-year-old forward piled up 12 points in the third quarter, including a buzzer-beater to set the pace for the last ten minutes. Adding five points in the fourth quarter pushed Partizan to a safe lead.
“I started slow but people started talking during the game. People have to know their places, ‘Justin Anderson you are not my type of caliber player. Why do you talk to me?’” Nunnally referred to the 30-year-old American swingman of Valencia as the inspiration behind a brilliant display in the second half.
Tucking in five triples, Jaleen Smith fell narrowly shy of an individual best for the 2023-24 campaign with 15 points to go with five rebounds, four steals, and two assists. “I am psyched that I played the last EuroLeague game. It is what it is. I have been working. It showed today,” the 29-year-old guard commented returning to the lineup and registering a seventh appearance in the 2023-24 edition of the EuroLeague.
“We controlled the game offensively. We did not let them score easy points in transition,” legendary tactician Obradovic described the team’s effort to pull away in the fourth period, “Generally, we played better.”
Team captain Kevin Punter chipped in 12 points. After sinking 30 straight free throws in Europe’s premier club continental competition, Danilo Andjusic missed early in the first quarter. With 69 makes from the charity stripe in the row, teammate Punter holds the record.
Following elimination and the removal of Alex Mumbru, his former assistant Xavi Albert took over as the interim head coach and made his EuroLeague debut in the capital of Serbia. “Who could have said at the beginning of the season that I would be coaching a game in this atmosphere,” he mentioned, “We tried to compete, but OK, no problem. We used this game to try and improve our feelings.”
His side was forced to a four-game losing streak and down to 14-20, including 5-12 on the road with five consecutive defeats. Former SMU standout Semi Ojeleye tallied a team-high 17 points with 6/7 from the field. After scoring his 500th EuroLeague point in the second quarter, 26-year-old guard Jared Harper ended up with 13 points.
Missing players and next challenges
Damien Inglis, Stefan Jovic, Boubacar Toure, Kevin Pangos, and newcomer Alpha Kaba were unavailable for the Taronges. Focus now settles on Spain’s Liga Endesa and an away game against Coviran Granada on Sunday. To potentially go up to 18-11 in the Regular Season and improve a bid to qualify for the 2024 ACB Playoffs.
P.J. Dozier (knee) and Ognjen Jaramaz were ruled out for the Round 34 contest by Partizan. From wrapping up the continental campaign to extending the defense of the AdmiralBet ABA League championship to the 2024 ABA Playoffs. Game 1 of a best-of-three series versus Igokea m:tel will be played on Monday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net