80-95: Defeat in second playoff tie
Real Madrid succumb to Partizan in a game that was ended prematurely with 1:40 still on the clock due to on-court incidents involving players from both teams.
Partizan won the second game at the WiZink Center to take a 2-0 lead in the Euroleague playoffs in a game that ended before the regulation 40 minutes had elapsed. With 1:40 to go, the referees decided to end the game after incidents occurred on the court between several players from both teams. Chus Mateo's team, who were without Tavares, now have no choice but to win the remaining three games to qualify for the Final Four. The series travels to Belgrade for the third round next Tuesday.
The game did not get off to the start Madrid had wished for as Partizan went 9-0 up after just three minutes. The Whites improved with the entry of their second unit with Llull he equalled Felipe Reyes with the most playoff games on 43 Rudy, Hezonja and Poirier, who returned 21 days after undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis, but it was not enough to keep up with their rivals, who had Exum at the helm 21-31, min. 10.
The game did not get off to the start Madrid had wished for as Partizan went 9-0 up after just three minutes. The Whites improved with the entry of their second unit with Llull he equalled Felipe Reyes with the most playoff games on 43 Rudy, Hezonja and Poirier, who returned 21 days after undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis, but it was not enough to keep up with their rivals, who had Exum at the helm 21-31, min. 10.
Tug of war
Madrid's best minutes in the first half came at the start of the second quarter, with the Whites stepping up their defensive game. Rudy's enormous work on both sides of the court and Hezonja's clear-sightedness in attack led to an 8-0 run that brought us within three points 28-31, min. 15. The problem was that Madrid continued to accelerate and the game became a to-and-fro without respite. And in the midst of the madness, Partizan hit three consecutive three-pointers to go into the break 37-51.
No continuity
Madrid got into the zone after the restart, pressed and managed to supress the visitors' score-rate. Chus Mateo turned to Sergio Rodríguez in attack and the point guard responded with some high quality play, causing the team to perform with greater fluidity. Together with Rudy and Poirier, they reduced the deficit to 48-53 in the 24th minute, after an 11-2 run. But the comeback was not quite consummated because the Serbians always found a foul in their favour or a three-pointer that changed the pace and boosted their confidence. Partizan again took a significant lead which they managed to hold onto until the end of the game, which dramatically ended before the 40 minutes were up. With 1:40 left to play, a foul by Llull on Punter triggered on-court incidents between players from both teams. After viewing the images, the refrees decided to call an end to the game.
REAL MADRID-PARTIZÁN STATISTICS
Madrid's best minutes in the first half came at the start of the second quarter, with the Whites stepping up their defensive game. Rudy's enormous work on both sides of the court and Hezonja's clear-sightedness in attack led to an 8-0 run that brought us within three points 28-31, min. 15. The problem was that Madrid continued to accelerate and the game became a to-and-fro without respite. And in the midst of the madness, Partizan hit three consecutive three-pointers to go into the break 37-51.
No continuity
Madrid got into the zone after the restart, pressed and managed to supress the visitors' score-rate. Chus Mateo turned to Sergio Rodríguez in attack and the point guard responded with some high quality play, causing the team to perform with greater fluidity. Together with Rudy and Poirier, they reduced the deficit to 48-53 in the 24th minute, after an 11-2 run. But the comeback was not quite consummated because the Serbians always found a foul in their favour or a three-pointer that changed the pace and boosted their confidence. Partizan again took a significant lead which they managed to hold onto until the end of the game, which dramatically ended before the 40 minutes were up. With 1:40 left to play, a foul by Llull on Punter triggered on-court incidents between players from both teams. After viewing the images, the refrees decided to call an end to the game.
REAL MADRID-PARTIZÁN STATISTICS