87-89: EuroLeague playoff opener ends in defeat
Real Madrid lose to Partizan at the death.
Real Madrid were unable to get their EuroLeague playoff off to a winning start at the WiZink Center, as Partizan took the lead in the series. The opening game was an offensive battle between the competition's two best attacks, which would be decided in the final second. Deck was the standout man for our team with 24 points and a PIR of 33. Now attentions must turn to the second match, set for Thursday, again at the WiZink Center 8:45pm CEST.
The intensity that marked the early stages of the game made it blindingly clear the playoffs are upon us. Partizan started the stronger of the two teams, hitting four almost consecutive three-pointers three for the center, Smailagic to race to 10-17 in the opening five minutes. But Madrid began to ease their way into the clash as the quarter wore on. They adjusted at the back, dominated the rebound and found space to run. Deck and Tavares were the inside pairing today and they gradually began to wrest the initiative from their opponents in the paint. The Argentine, with 9 points and 4 rebounds, was the driver behind the madridista reaction, opening a run that was continued by Hanga and Yabusele as the second quarter ticked around. A 20-5 streak saw our boys come back and get on top, up by eight with 12 minutes gone 30-22.
Break-neck pace
Just as it looked as though Madrid would get on top, Partizan rediscovered their accuracy from outside. We were forced to deal with the Serbian team's 8/14 triples in the first half, as well as the appearance of Punter, who posted 13 points in the closing stretch of the second period. Our boys were trailing again but managed to minimize the damage inflicted from the perimeter thanks to a dominant Tavares under the hoop and a fine spell for Hezonja 44-48, min.20.
The intensity that marked the early stages of the game made it blindingly clear the playoffs are upon us. Partizan started the stronger of the two teams, hitting four almost consecutive three-pointers three for the center, Smailagic to race to 10-17 in the opening five minutes. But Madrid began to ease their way into the clash as the quarter wore on. They adjusted at the back, dominated the rebound and found space to run. Deck and Tavares were the inside pairing today and they gradually began to wrest the initiative from their opponents in the paint. The Argentine, with 9 points and 4 rebounds, was the driver behind the madridista reaction, opening a run that was continued by Hanga and Yabusele as the second quarter ticked around. A 20-5 streak saw our boys come back and get on top, up by eight with 12 minutes gone 30-22.
Break-neck pace
Just as it looked as though Madrid would get on top, Partizan rediscovered their accuracy from outside. We were forced to deal with the Serbian team's 8/14 triples in the first half, as well as the appearance of Punter, who posted 13 points in the closing stretch of the second period. Our boys were trailing again but managed to minimize the damage inflicted from the perimeter thanks to a dominant Tavares under the hoop and a fine spell for Hezonja 44-48, min.20.
Obradovic's team stretched their advantage to seven points following the restart 48-55 but Madrid came through a difficult spell by showing their best levels at the back. They upped the aggression and successfully reduced their rivals' scoring rhythm, restricting them to the free-throw line to find points. The madridistas played almost the entire third quarter with two number 4s, as Tavares struggled with a knee problem. That formula saw us run more and break through the Serbs' defensive balance. Yabusele came to the fore in offense, bringing a full Palacio to its feet with a series of delightful dunks. The third quarter was a story of attacking consistency, while limiting Partizan to just 15 points 64-63, min.30.
Cruel end
The last quarter was the final chapter of a titanic battle. Led by a stellar Deck in offense 14 points in the quarter, as Yabusele filled in for Tavares incredible block on Lessort and Rudy providing the intelligence, Madrid built up a seven-point lead at 77-70 with five minutes left on the clock. It was an advantage they would ultimately be unable to maintain as Partizan hit back from the three-point line with Madar, Exum and Punter. The final 90 seconds came around with the scores at 82-84. Williams-Goss levelled things up at 84 to give way to a quite remarkable 60 seconds. This was the crucial moment: Musa shot a three, but was penalized for allegedly sticking out a let and kicking Punter, who hit both free throws to put us behind with 34 seconds left. In a heroic effort, Deck made it 87-86 with a 2+1 but the final play of the game saw Punter make another three-pointer to decide the game 87-89.
REAL MADRID-PARTIZAN STATISTICS
Cruel end
The last quarter was the final chapter of a titanic battle. Led by a stellar Deck in offense 14 points in the quarter, as Yabusele filled in for Tavares incredible block on Lessort and Rudy providing the intelligence, Madrid built up a seven-point lead at 77-70 with five minutes left on the clock. It was an advantage they would ultimately be unable to maintain as Partizan hit back from the three-point line with Madar, Exum and Punter. The final 90 seconds came around with the scores at 82-84. Williams-Goss levelled things up at 84 to give way to a quite remarkable 60 seconds. This was the crucial moment: Musa shot a three, but was penalized for allegedly sticking out a let and kicking Punter, who hit both free throws to put us behind with 34 seconds left. In a heroic effort, Deck made it 87-86 with a 2+1 but the final play of the game saw Punter make another three-pointer to decide the game 87-89.
REAL MADRID-PARTIZAN STATISTICS