The home team nearly blew a 20-point lead after the Italian side launched a spirited fightback
Partizan holds on to edge out battling Milan, 80-78



Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade eked out an 80-78 home victory over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan for its maiden victory in this season’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, having bounced back from the opening 89-76 reverse at debutant Dubai Basketball.
Partizan were made to sweat on the outcome in a packed Belgrade Arena after letting Milan back into the contest when the Italian side looked out for the count, as the Serbian outfit carved out a 53-33 lead early in the second half on the back of a 23-4 run.
Sterling Brown paced Partizan on a team-high 20 points, Carlik Jones added 15 while Jabari Parker and Isaac Bonga chipped in with 10 each for the hosts, who shot 11 of 21 from downtown and forced 16 turnovers from the visitors.
At the other end, Shavon Shields led Milan with a game-high 21 points while Armoni Brooks and Marko Guduric posted 12 apiece, the latter missing a tough three-pointer at the buzzer that would have turned the matchup on its head had it gone in.
Guduric also dished out 8 assists while Josh Nebo added 10 points and 6 boards for Milan, which missed an opportunity to complete an elusive double in the Serbian capital after dismantling Crvena Zvezda Meridian Bet Belgrade 82-92 in the opening round.
Game Videos
Following a balanced first quarter, Partizan took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second as Carlik Jones took over the baton from Brown and engineered a 15-2 run close to halftime, which allowed the home team to carry a 45-33 lead into the locker room at the interval.
Brown, who netted 10 of Partizan’s opening 12 points, drained another five early in the second half and Jabari Parker followed up with a long triple as the hosts ran riot, roared on by their fervent fans.
Having fallen behind by 20 points, Milan came storming back with a flurry of three-pointers and fast breaks which slashed the deficit to 69-62 at the end of the third quarter as Shields led the comeback. Partizan still looked in control after forging a 78-67 advantage in the home but then once again ran out of ideas on offense, allowing Milan to close the gap to 80-78 in the final minute.
The visiting team had 11 seconds on its last possession to complete what would have amounted to an amazing comeback but Guduric shot an air ball with a defender in his face and the home faithful were able to breathe a huge sigh of relief on the final buzzer.
Coach Zeljko Obradovic was pleased with the outcome after Partizan showed grim determination to defend its home court.
“I am very proud of how the team played just 48 hours after an incredibly difficult trip (from Dubai),” Obradovic told the postgame press conference. “We only allowed them four offensive rebounds and forced a flurry of turnovers, while we were also able to contain our former player Zach LeDay and their other big men.
“We have to improve on offense as the movement of the ball has to be much better, but we were aggressive on defense this time after faltering in Dubai.”