Partizan converted 56.9% of its two-point attempts against the league's best defensive team in that department, one that had been holding opponents to just 49.1% on two-point shooting.

Partizan solved Real's top-ranked two-point defense

The last time Real Madrid allowed 100 points in a single game was in Round 32 of the 2020-21 campaign, an 83-108 home loss against the eventual champion Anadolu Efes Istanbul. The last time Los Blancos allowed 100 or more points on the road was in January 2020 at Khimki Moscow Region.

On Friday night, Real allowed the most points away from home in more than five years as Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and its 20,000 fans celebrated a 104-90 win.

Head coach Zeljko Obradovic's men were clicking on all offensive cylinders, but two statistical nuggets jump out from Friday's game.

Partizan committed just 4 turnovers in the first three quarters and just 6 before the game's final 3 minutes, when they were already up by 20 and half-celebrating a massive win. Partizan also had 8 steals and forced 14 Real turnovers, clearly winning the turnover battle.

Partizan also attempted 51 two-point shots, while making 7 triples on just 13 attempts from long distance. But the hosts' did not just attack the rim where Walter Tavares and Vincent Poirier combined for 3 blocked shots. Led by Kevin Punter, James Nunnally and Ioannis Papapetrou, Partizan hit a series of mid-range, top-off-the-key and baseline shots, forcing Real's big men to take a step or two away from the basket.

It paid great dividends, as it finally did open up lanes to the basket, where Partizan converted 56.9% of its two-point attempts against the league's best defensive team in that department, one that had been holding opponents to just 49.1% on two-point shooting.

Partizan finished not only with its season-high in scoring, but its third best scoring output this century, while moving to the very brink of a playoff qualification.

Game News

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Real Madrid (2023-03-31T18:30:00.000Z)

 Zalgiris's shot selection was key vs. Valencia 

Zalgiris Kaunas remained a strong playoffs contender by downing Valencia Basket 95-74 at Zalgirio Arena on Friday, improving to 17-15 in the standings. Zalgiris selected its shots better and that led to a big win.

Zalgiris downed 21 of 30 two-pointers against Valencia for an accuracy rate of 70% that was the team's third-best shooting inside the arc in this EuroLeague season. Laurynas Birutis contributed more than anyone to that high percentage, hitting all of his 4 two-pointers. Valencia was limited to 19-of-33 two-point accuracy (57.6% 2FG). Jasiel Rivero went 8-for-8 from two-point range, but the rest of the team could only make 11 of 25 (44%).

The hosts were also highly effective from beyond the arc, burying 14 of 29 three-pointers (48.3% 3FG), Zalgiris's second-best volume shooting from distance this season. It had previously hit 16 three-pointers in an 88-81 home win against ALBA Berlin in Round 6. Karolis Lukosiunas sank 4 three-pointers and Lukas Lekavicius added 3. Zalgiris outrebounded Valencia by 33-25 but shooting the ball so well from all distances made the difference.

Game Videos

Zalgiris's shot selection was key vs. Valencia

Zalgiris Kaunas v Valencia Basket (2023-03-31T17:00:00.000Z)

Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz kept its playoff hopes alive on Friday night after a majestic performance by shooting guard Vanja Marinkovic, who sank a career-high 35 points, helped the Spanish side to an impressive 92-69 home victory against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Baskonia improved to 17-15 and Fenerbahce dropped to 18-14 ahead of the final two regular season rounds, with both sides still having work to do in order to secure postseason berths. 

Baskonia stays on course after blowing away Fenerbahce, 92-69

Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz kept its playoff hopes alive on Friday night after a majestic performance by shooting guard Vanja Marinkovic, who sank a career-high 35 points, helped the Spanish side to an impressive 92-69 home victory against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Baskonia improved to 17-15 and Fenerbahce dropped to 18-14 ahead of the final two regular-season rounds, with both sides still having work to do in order to secure postseason berths.

Darius Thompson added 13 points for Baskonia, while Rokas Giedraitis and Daulton Hommes chipped in with 12 each. At the other end, Jonathan Motley scored 18 points for Fenerbahce, Carsen Ewdards netted 16 and Tarik Biberovic had 10.

It was a contrasting week for the two sides as Baskonia made it two wins out of two after a hard-fought 93-87 defeat of ALBA Berlin while Fenerbahce completed its tour of Spain on a sour note, having also lost 90-75 at Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Baskonia took an early lead on the back of 8 points from Marinkovic in the first quarter, but Fenerbahce quickly found its rhythm and the visitors led by as many as 8 points in the first half, with Baskonia struggling on offense. It was another tough outing for the home team’s point guard Markus Howard, who picked up a knock late in the first quarter and made little impact after returning to action. At halftime, Fenerbahce led 38-44.

However, Marinkovic lit up the contest with a huge second half, scoring 23 points after the break to send the home crowd into raptures and keep Baskonia’s playoff fate in its own hands. Few would have predicted such a rollercoaster after the opening two quarters, but the hosts never looked back after they turned a 45-54 deficit early in the third quarter into a 60-58 lead ahead of the final 10 minutes.

It was one-way traffic in the fourth quarter as Marinkovic drained one three-pointer after another, mixing long-range artillery with delightful drives to the basket to carry his team. Baskonia was 73-65 ahead midway through the final period and Fenerbahce had nothing left in the tank down the stretch, eventually going down easily as its backcourt had no reply for the home team’s firepower.

It will be an anxious last two weeks of the regular season for the Turkish side, which hosts compatriots and reigning champs Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the penultimate round before a potentially daunting trip to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in the final game of the regular season.

Baskonia should have a straightforward task at home against bottom team ASVEL in its next game before finishing its regular-season campaign with a visit to league leader Olympiacos Piraeus.

Baskonia stays on track after blowing away Fenerbahce, 92-69

Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-03-31T18:30:00.000Z)

 Coach Ivanovic, Zvezda: 'We can beat anybody' 

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade head coach Dusko Ivanovic:

"We had a big change in our mentality, in our aggressiveness and our defense \[in the second half\]. This is Zvezda: when we play aggressive defense, when we play like a team, we can beat anybody."

"I am really very happy with the second 20 minutes because in the first 20 minutes, we were without energy, without energy, without confidence. The second half was totally different: better defense, especially energy in transition, looking for better options. In those 20 minutes, we played like a team and that was the key to win the game. We will fight in the last two games as if we had a big chance \[to reach the playoffs\]."

### LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne head coach TJ Parker:

"First, we have to play good basketball. We played good basketball in the first half and after that, everything shut down. They brought in intensity defensively and bothered us offensively."

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade guard Facu Campazzo:

"I think we played a really great game in the second half. In the first half, they played very well. They hit some threes and were very comfortable, and in the second half, I think we did a great job on defense. We were aggressive on defense and after that, we shared the ball and played very smart on offense, and that was the key. I just tried to not force anything, let the game come to me and don't be crazy if I didn't touch the ball. We have plenty of talent in this team, a lot of players who can dribble the ball and make plays. So I just let the game come to me, and in the second half, I felt much better. I just tried to play hard defense and after that, make the right decisions on offense."

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade center Filip Petrusev:

"It was the team's defense. In the first half, it wasn't really good but in the second half, we figured it out, what they do. We closed the paint and made them take tough shots. We had a couple of blocks and were able to finish the game the right way."

Dusko Ivanovic, Zvezda: 'We can beat anybody'

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-03-31T19:00:00.000Z)

With the help of 20,000 leather-lunged fans at Stark Arena, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade inched closer to the playoffs with an impressive 104-90 victory over mighty Real Madrid on Friday. The point total was Partizan's season high and the third-most in club history. Kevin Punter had 16 points and 6 assists and Mathias Lessort collected 16 points and 8 rebounds. Dante Exum added 15 points, James Nunnally 14, Alen Smailagic 11 and Ioannis Papapetrou 10 in victory. Dzanan Musa scored 22 for Real while Gabriel Deck and Mario Hezonja had 17 apiece.

 Partizan sinks Real, 104-90, to put a foot in the playoffs 

With the help of 20,000 leather-lunged fans at Stark Arena, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade inched closer to the playoffs with an impressive 104-90 victory over mighty Real Madrid on Friday. The point total was Partizan's season high and the third-most in club history. The host led most of the night and by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter before Real cut into deficit late. Partizan improved to 18-14 and now needs either a win in its last two games or a loss by either Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz or Zalgiris Kaunas to reach the playoffs.

Among six double-digit scorers, Kevin Punter had 16 points and 6 assists and Mathias Lessort collected 16 points and 8 rebounds. Dante Exum added 15 points, James Nunnally 14, Alen Smailagic 11 and Ioannis Papapetrou 10 in victory. Dzanan Musa scored 22 for Real while Gabriel Deck and Mario Hezonja had 17 apiece, and Adam Hanga 10. The loss dropped Real to third place at 22-10, the same record as its archrival FC Barcelona, which holds the tiebreak advantage between them.

Partizan was respecting Walter Tavares early, as the Real big man had 2 early blocks. The visitors got three-point plays from Tavares and Musa to open a 13-18 lead. Papapetrou give the hosts a lift, but Musa made sure Real led 21-23 after 10 minutes. Exum took over in the second quarter with a three-pointer and a three-point play to help Partizan go up 31-27. And once it got ahead, Partizan kept going. After Rudy Fernandez hit a transition triple to make it 35-34 with 4:32 left in the half, head coach Zeljko Obradovic called a timeout after which Partizan did not allow a single field goal the rest of the quarter. Punter and Nunnally combined to score 12 of Partizan's 14 points on the way to a 49-38 halftime lead.

Aleksa Avramovic opened the third quarter with a three-pointer and Punter had a three-point play, but they were matched by Hezonja and Musa as the visitors drew within 61-56. Exum answered with a triple and a fastbreak layup to quickly turn the momentum around. Hezonja knocked down 2 more threes, but Lessort was doing the damage inside on the other end and the hosts took 78-72 into the final 10 minutes. Partizan then scored the first 6 points of the fourth quarter, including a triple from Zach LeDay. Deck scored twice from close range before a triple from Smailagic sparked a 9-0 run, which included a fastbreak dunk from Nunnally. Punter's triple made it 98-78 and Partizan was well on its way to victory.

Partizan sinks Real, 104-90, to put a foot in the playoffs

Rokas Giedraitis, Baskonia: 'It’s a great atmosphere here at Buesa'

### Joan Penarroya, Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz head coach

“A big game and a great opponent. We improved our defense and after we were 11 points down, the famous Baskonia character came to the fore. I am proud of the players and the fans. We’ll enjoy the victory tonight and then we’ll look forward to the upcoming games against Valencia \[in the Spanish league\] and \[against LCLC ASVEL\] Villeurbanne.

"Congratulations to my players and to the fans – they were like a sixth player on the court. In the first half we had defensive problems and in the paint. They scored easy baskets in the opening two quarters and at halftime we assessed that we needed to protect our paint more. We played very good defense in the second half as we only gave up 25 points. It was an amazing game for Vanja \[Marinkovic\].”

### Dimitris Itoudis, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach

“Congratulations to Baskonia. The third quarter was very bad for us; we missed a lot of layups, open shots and free throws.

"It was a game of two different halves. We controlled the game in the opening two quarters as we played pretty good defense and had good spacing offensively. The third quarter was really bad for us and obviously the fourth, too. The fourth quarter left a bitter taste because we looked like we gave up, and we don’t have that right. Now we have to turn the page. It didn’t help that we were shorthanded, but we have to give our all in our next game against Efes."

### Vanja Marinkovic, Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz forward

“It’s a really big win for us. We played an amazing second half, we showed up and changed our mindset. That’s how we need to play. I really enjoyed it. I am happy for my performance but above all I am happy for the win.”

### Rokas Giedraitis, Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz forward

(Asked what was the key to victory): “Vanja. In the second half it was our energy and the rebounds, we stopped their offense. Vanja made it an amazing party. It’s a great atmosphere here every time \[we play at Buesa Arena\] and it’s difficult for everybody to play here.”

Rokas Giedraitis, Baskonia: 'It’s a great atmosphere at Buesa'

Tarik Black, Olympiacos: 'This was a hard-fought battle'

### Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach

“I’m feeling great. It’s an important win, not because it’s Panathinaikos but because it’s one more win towards achieving the best possible spot in the standings. It was a strange game. We went 17% on threes, we were really nervous without reason, and we missed 10 free throws, but we had 23 assists and made just 10 turnovers. We managed to win the game, a very important win. Congratulations to the players.

“It’s a club record number of wins in the EuroLeague and that’s something I really appreciate. We’ve had stability all season. We were nervous in the first half, that was obvious. But in the third quarter, we just needed two or three minutes of normal basketball to set the tone for how we had to win the game. Also, congratulations to Panathinaikos and good luck.”

 

### Christos Serelis, Panathinaikos Athens head coach

“We weren’t concentrated in some defenses. One crucial shot from \[Sasha\] Vezenkov, one open shot from \[Thomas\] Walkup. We also had some rotations with our guards; we lost \[Matt\] Thomas and Dwayne \[Bacon\]. But we made an effort and I think we had a good chance to win the game.

“It was a tough game for 40 minutes. We missed some shots that we asked the players to take, but they didn’t have the determination to shoot. That is the second game we played against Olympiacos, and we showed that we have improved our game. With all the roster, we will be very competitive.”

 

### Tarik Black, Olympiacos Piraeus center

“I feel amazing. I feel that was what we needed from me tonight to get over the hump and get the win, because this was a hard-fought battle. So, that’s what I'm most glad about: to be able to help us ultimately get a win. In clutch moments guys stepped up, guys weren’t too nervous. We were 0-of-10 \[on three-pointers\] in the first half, but we continued to shoot the ball and Thomas \[Walkup\] made a huge one in a clutch moment. That means we’re prepared to take on those moments where we’re in a hard-fought battle and come out with a win.”

 

### Thomas Walkup, Olympiacos Piraeus guard

“I feel great because we got the win. That was a hard-fought win, they brought it here. Amazing crowd tonight. They were loud, they were hostile and in that third quarter they really brought us back. So, happy with our performance as a team. I’m just happy to play alongside Sasha Vezenkov so that I can just hand him the ball and he gets me an assist!”

Olympiacos Piraeus v Panathinaikos Athens (2023-03-31T18:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade downed LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 60-76  on Friday but could not enjoy the fruits of its three-game winning streak due to other results forcing its elimination from the playoffs race. Despite lifting its record to 15-17, Zvezda cannot finish in any tiebreaker that features Baskonia, which has 17 wins already and sits in eighth place. ASVEL dropped to 8-24. Ognjen Dobric paced the winners with 18 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting. Facu Campazzo added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. 

 Zvezda downs ASVEL but suffers elimination 

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade downed LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 60-76  on Friday but could not enjoy the fruits of its three-game winning streak due to other results forcing its elimination from the playoffs race. Despite lifting its record to 15-17, Zvezda cannot finish in any tiebreaker that features Baskonia, which has 17 wins already and sits in eighth place. ASVEL dropped to 8-24 with its 11th straight defeat. It was ASVEL's final EuroLeague home game at the Astroballe this season.

Ognjen Dobric paced the winners with 18 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting. Facu Campazzo added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Luca Vildoza and Ben Bentil each had 10 points for Zvezda, which only allowed ASVEL to score 18 points after the break. Nando De Colo led ASVEL with 14 points. Dee Bost and Charles Kahudi each added 11 for the hosts.

Kahudi and De Colo each scored around the basket for a 4-0 ASVEL lead. Zvezda found a go-to guy in Bentil, who struck twice from downtown and added a layup to give the guests a 9-12 lead. De Colo and Yves Pons stepped up for ASVEL, Alex Tyus dunked and Jonah Mathews's jumper helped ASVEL regain a 17-15 edge after 10 minutes. Vildoza and John Holland each struck from downtown for a 19-23 Zvezda lead. Filip Petrusev stopped the show with a huge dunk and Dobric's triple restored a 29-30 Zvezda lead. De Colo had 5 points in a 7-0 run that gave ASVEL a 36-30 edge. Kahudi's three-point play soon made it a double-digit game, 42-32. Vildoza got Zvezda within 42-37 at halftime.

Campazzo hit a floater, found Stefan Markovic for a three-pointer and fed Bentil for a fastbreak slam that put Zvezda in charge, 44-46. Zvezda found a new go-to guy in Ognjen Kuzmic, who got help from Campazzo and Petrusev to get a five-point margin, 51-56, after 30 minutes. Campazzo kept pacing Zvezda, Dobric scored around the basket and Petrusev's tip-in boosted the guests' lead to 53-62. Dobric struck from downtown to cap a 0-9 run, 53-65. Nothing really changed in the final 6 minutes, as Zvezda started to use longer possessions to run the clock down and cruised to a well-deserved win. 

Zvezda defeats ASVEL but suffers elimination

Olympiacos Piraeus retained first place in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings with a hard-earned 81-73 home win over local rival Panathinaikos Athens. The Reds improved to a league-best 23-9, while the Greens dropped to 11-21.

Olympiacos downs Panathinaikos in Greek Derby, 81-73

Olympiacos Piraeus retained first place in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings with a hard-earned 81-73 home win over local rival Panathinaikos Athens. The Reds improved to a league-best 23-9, while the Greens dropped to 11-21.

 

There was little between the teams in the first half, with no leads larger than 6 points. Olympiacos took control in the third period and stayed ahead the rest of the way, despite Panathinaikos fighting hard. Tarik Black led the way with 21 points, while Thomas Walkup had 11 points, 13 assists and 7 rebounds. Sasha Vezenkov scored 19 for the Reds. Paris Lee paced Panathinaikos with 15 points, Dwayne Bacon added 14 and Arturas Gudaitis scored 12.

Vezenkov, Moustapha Fall, Derrick Williams, Bacon and Gudaitis all netted twice in a closely contested first quarter, which ended 16-17.

Black scored all the points in a 9-0 run, but Marius Grigonis hit a pair of triples to tie it up, 25-25. Two scores from Gudaitis pushed the Greens ahead, and 5 points from Bacon made it 33-38 at the break.

Vezenkov scored the first 6 points of the second half, and a three-point play by Shaquielle McKissic made it 44-39. Kostas Papanikolaou finally scored the host’s first three-pointer, and it was 57-48 at the end of the third.

Triples from Lee and Eleftherios Mantzoukas saw Panathinaikos start the final period with a 0-8 run, 57-56, but the Reds responded and a three-point play by Kostas Sloukas made it 68-62. Three more baskets from Black protected the lead, as Olympiacos went on to celebrate doing the double over its archrival.