Can Partizan surprise again Real Madrid?
The Euroleague has reached the playoff phase, Wizink Center will host the first 2 matches between the team with the most trophies in the Euroleague, Real Madrid and the coach with the most trophies, Zeljko Obradovic, the coach of Partizan Belgrade.
Real Madrid finished the regular season in 3rd place with 23 wins and 11 defeats. They were the team with the most rebounds 36.7, the most blocks 4.3, the 2nd team in points 85.6 and the 2nd in two-point % 57.6. Dzanan Musa is having a very good season with 15.5 ppg. 2.9 reb, 2.6 ast, helped by Gabriel Deck 11.9 ppg, 5.3 reb, 2.0 ast and Walter Tavares 10.3 ppg, 6.5 reb. This weekend they made a show of strength, winning on Juventud’s field 86-76, 11 players contributed to this victory: Hezonja 20 points, Musa 16 points and Deck 13 points.
Partizan Belgrade, occupying the 6th place, finished the regular season with 20 wins and 14 defeats, the positive side is that they are in the extraordinary form, managing 4 victories in the last 5 Euroleague matches. They had the 3rd offense of the competition with 85.2 points, this was due to free-throw % – 82.7 (1st place) and three-point % – 39.6 (2nd place). The team leaders are Kevin Punter 15.5 ppg, Dante Exum 13.3 ppg and Mathias Lessort 12.1 ppg, 7.3 reb. In the last match they won at Buducnost 83-82 and secured first place in the regular season of the ABA League, a match won thanks to Punter 14 points, Lessort 13 points, 7 rebounds and LeDay 12 points, 9 rebounds.
In the direct matches of this season, everyone won their matches on their own ground, the common factor was the huge number of points scored. Real won at home 105-97, LLull and LeDay scoring 20 points each, in Serbia, it was 104-90 for Partizan after a very good collective game from Partizan, Lessort and Punter scoring 16 points each, from the guests Musa with 22 points was the main scorer.
The first match will take place on May 25 and Partizan can take advantage of their current form and the fact that they had 2 days of rest in addition to the hosts. An intense match will be announced like the first two, considering that both teams can use the best formula, without problems with injuries.
Valentin Petruta
Photo credit: EuroLeague
