Real Madrid and Partizan starred in an ode to offensive basketball, with a very high score half because of the tremendous success and half because both resigned in defense. There were tremendous streaks of points from both teams, what happens is that the Serbian team were at the beginning and in the second half they were not as successful. Madrid won fairly and confirming that they have already found an optimum rhythm and physical condition.
Spectacular, historic, memorable first quarter. No one defended but it didn’t matter because there were baskets and triple shots even in well defended shots. Incredible ten minutes for Partizan with 8 of 12 shooting from three and 40 points scored in this first period. And 32 a Madrid that did not lag behind, but that scored two, in the paint, mainly with Tavares.
The white team had never conceded 40 points in a single quarter, the previous top was 39 from Olympiacos in 2013. But since this sport is sometimes extremely strange, in the second the Serbian team failed all of them and those of Chus Mateo they put them all 20-2 run in six and a half minutes with 10 points from Hezonja and two three-pointers from Llull. And Partizan’s second basket was due to an error that left Brodziansky alone under the basket after the ball escaped to a white player, because they couldn’t hit anything on their own play.
Finally, a 54-51 at halftime and a triple on Andjusic’s horn to give the visitors a breather. The madness returned at the restart, Partizan understood that they could not stop the white centers in the paint with their casualties and only Lessort as a center and played it from the perimeter. But if there was a phase of some equality, with between 5 and 7 points ahead, then came a 72-69 (min. 27) that seemed to keep the clash even and the third quarter closed with another offensive festival from Madrid.
A good run in three minutes and a 86-74 lead to enter the last quarter, which also opened with a triple by Williams-Goss and the difference was now impossible for Obradovic’s men. Madrid handled the lead without problems (101-92, min. 38) although the loss of tension in the final minutes led them to make mistakes and miss many shots after the good previous work. Llull, Tavares, Hezonja and Deck stood out in particular. 11 of 22 for the whites in shots from three and 17 of 35 for the visitors.
| by quarters | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REAL MADRID | 32 | 22 | 32 | 19 |
| PARTISAN | 40 | 11 | 23 | 23 |
