The Serbian team produced a perfect second half to erase a 24-point deficit amid fervent support from 20,000 fans
Defensive steel propelled Partizan's historic comeback
Article
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 21 of 34
Group Regular Season
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Just when it seemed as things could only get worse, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade ended the new year's second Turkish Airlines EuroLeague double-round in the most spectacular fashion on Friday.
Some observers had questioned the team's resolve after Partizan fell apart just 48 hours earlier, throwing away a 19-36 lead to succumb tamely at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, 91-76, for the team's fourth defeat in five games.
That poor run appeared set to continue at home on Friday as Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv scored the game's first 16 points and continued racing to a 13-37 lead early in the second quarter.
The mother of all rallies
Just when gloom was imminent, however, Partizan proved more resilient than ever, serving up a rip-roaring comeback for an enthralling 88-79 victory.
Recovering all of its 24-point deficit not only proved to be Partizan's biggest comeback since 2007, when such data became available. It was also the fourth-biggest for a victory by any team and the 10th-best, win or lose, in that span.
Such a historic rally had a couple of main ingredients.
"We had majestic energy on defense in the third quarter and this was a team win all the way," head coach Zeljko Obradovic gushed afterwards. "Our fans have an incredible impact on the team and, once again, I can't thank them enough for the support."
Partizan countered Maccabi's strengths
Maccabi's game is reliant on a quick transition of the ball creating lots of open looks. The strategy worked to devastating effect in the first half, when the visitors shot an impressive 8 of 14 from downtown to carve out a 36-52 lead at halftime.
In the second half, however, as Maccabi's firepower dried up, the visitors were blown away as they lost the battle in the paint, with their big men swarmed and outmuscled by a well-drilled Partizan unit.
The hosts totaled 44 rebounds, 14 on the offensive end, while Maccabi managed 33 total, 12 on offense. Maccabi starting center Josh Nebo was held to 5 points and 6 boards. At the other end, Alen Smailagic, Zach LeDay and Bruno Caboclo reigned supreme, the latter alone finishing on 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
What's more, with its rebounding dominance having corralled Maccabi's transition, Partizan's aggressive half-court pressure also forced the visitors in woeful 0 of 16 shooting from three-point range after the break.
Game Videos
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Superman Tyrique! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
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Tyrique Jones shines at both ends! Motorola Magic Moment
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Washington's no-look alley-oop pass! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:17
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Balsa's big block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:14
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Roman Sorkin drives for a dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:37
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Hoard dunks off a Blatt alley-oop dish! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:15
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Carlik Jones wins it! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
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Tyrique Jones with a put-back dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
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Jones sets up Davis for a dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
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The Jones duo do it again! Motorola Magic Moment
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Davies dunks on the break! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
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Gabriel’s block on Hernangomez! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:07
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Washington's fastbreak dunk and 1! Motorola Magic Moment
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Bonga dunks after flying high! Motorola Magic Moment
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Joneses' alley-oop connection! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:18
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DeJulius hits a buzzer-beater! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
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Hoard's reverse alley-oop dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
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Tyrique Jones monster block! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 01:20
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Carlik Jones: 'To win in the derby is even better'
- 00:59
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Tyrique Jones: 'We heard our fans in the nosebleeds'
- 00:12
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Carlik Jones makes magic! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:14
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Hoard with the rejection! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
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Tyrique Jones blocks it off the backboard! Motorola Magic Moment
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Isaac Bonga with a big dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:23
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Pokusevski rocks the rim on a fastbreal! Motorola Magic Moment
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- 00:13
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Roman Sorkin blocks Fournier! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
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Gabriel rejects Walkup! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
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Saben Lee explodes to the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
Partizan dominated the boards despite big man Frank Kaminsky sitting out the entire game, a tactical decision that Obradovic explained in the post-game press conference.
"This game required specific defense and Frank didn't get any minutes because the other big guys who were on the court are more mobile than he is," Obradovic said. "But he is still part of the team, of course, and we're counting on him. Frank gives us a lot of things on the offensive end, with his wide range of skills and long-range shooting."
Nunnally and Dozier led the way
The home team's effervescent rim protection pushed James Nunnally to the fore, as the forward finished on 20 points, half of those in a third quarter that Partizan won 31-15, and a career-best 9 boards. Alas, Nunnally likely missed his first double-double in 172 EuroLeague games when he was ejected for picking up his second unsportsmanlike foul early in the fourth quarter.
With captain Kevin Punter sitting throughout the third quarter following a poor first half, Nunnally and PJ Dozier, the game's top performer with
23 points and 7 boards, stepped up to the plate as Partizan eclipsed Maccabi's free-flowing offense in the second half.
Lessons from the comeback
Obradovic hopes his team can show the same resilience on the road, where his men have a 3-8 record.
"Nunnally led the charge on offense, but it was the defense that paved the way for the second-half comeback. What we need to do now is show this kind of grit on the road against the top teams," he said.
He also stressed that his success and longevity was largely due to the expert staff that helped him flip the script against Maccabi
"People say that you're only as good as your last game, but that's nonsense," he said. "My assistants came up with a great analysis after the Fenerbahce game and I let them run Thursday's practice because it was an opportunity for me and the players to improve and make progress.
"A head coach is only as good as his assistants, and I've had outstanding assistants throughout my career. There will be ups and downs, but the important thing is to keep learning."
