Partizan registered its third straight win to improve to 5-8
Partizan won unusual game to keep the streak going
Article
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 13 of 34
Group Regular Season
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It was a usual setting on Tuesday night inside Belgrade Arena, packed to the rafters in loud support of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, which managed to hold off visiting Zalgiris Kaunas 84-78. It was a third consecutive win for Coach Zeljko Obradovic's squad, which fought its way to win, showing continuing signs of growth and improvement, this time by overcoming some things it was not always able to overcome earlier this season.
In the first half, it was Zalgiris's Lonnie Walker who knocked down 5 of his first 6 three-point attempts, and Zalgiris had 10 offensive rebounds in the first 20 minutes while Partizan had pulled down only 7 defensive boards.
Yet, it was Partizan that led 44-41 at the break, only for Obradovic to say in his halftime interview: "I believe this is one of our worst defensive games until now".
Obradovic explained his thoughts in more detail during the post-game press conference: "We had a totally different plan how to defend Walker, but he scored 17 points in the first half. That was our biggest problem from the coaching perspective."
And, this is where the first batch of unusual comes into play.
Zalgiris, which entered the game averaging 8.8 triples per game, was 8-of-17 from three-point land in the first two quarters. Then, in the opening 5:40 of the third quarter, Zalgiris knocked down 6 more triples on 7 attempts to take a 54-61 lead.
A scenario was writing itself for another Partizan home disappointment, but the team re-discovered its defense, so much so that it allowed only 3 made field goals the rest of the way, including holding Zalgiris to an 1-for-11 shooting from long range in the final quarter.
Partizan playmaker Carlik Jones was the first one to take over, which was nothing unusual, but the other key role came from a seldom used guard Duane Washington. Playing defense on Walker on one end, Washington also scored the first 5 points of the fourth quarter to put the hosts up 69-64, a lead Partizan never relinquished.
"Washington played an excellent game", Obradovic praised a first-year player who finished with 9 points in just under 19 minutes, even though he did not play the last two games, and in previous five appearances totaled 14 points. "Defensively, Washington was very active. Really, an excellent game, plus I have not seen a small player dunk like he has in a while. I already congratulated him on the floor."
Another thing that Partizan has had problems with this season have been close finishes. Partizan had big leads early in the game in majority of its eight losses, and held advantage in the fourth quarter, only to end up losing at the end, with seven defeats coming by 8 points or fewer.
With Partizan allowing another 5 offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter, such scenario was lingering again, but the team showed much more poise than in its previous close finishes.
Game Videos
- 00:58
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Lonnie Walker: 'It was a collective win'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/cb51b927-3088-4142-8b2c-91cf3d68fe39.jpg]()
Real Madrid-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:37
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/12/UAxT1haUozFoF8YEaSlETLjwchUf4mDN-1734042270854.jpg]()
Carlik Jones winning shot! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:54
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/12/flDLbn0zvDEamza76nXBDe8RB1ylVxQc-1734037903120.jpg]()
Carlik Jones: 'It always feels like a home game'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a1830f10-1652-4187-823c-43555eeeab8f.jpg]()
ALBA Berlin-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | RS Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:11
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Smailagic puts it back! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:15
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Carlik Jones wins it! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/88abae27-2c2c-4415-aa7d-33c3305a3253.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A135%3A103]()
Birutis's big block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/1432e223-44af-40fb-9d0b-d5276bfc5e9c.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A115%3A103]()
Tyrique Jones with a put-back dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a25661e3-8066-4cf3-84ad-98425f318495.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A103%3A71]()
Jones sets up Davis for a dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/10a807e3-5f14-40dd-b0bc-dcf9b5c5e78b.jpg?crop=1230%3A692%3Anowe%3A20%3A32]()
The Jones duo do it again! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:12
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/05/UI1w0QJJA8QkTKvwfuY1Ox1ZNVeS9zs6-1733441184985.jpg]()
Lonnie Walker: 'Our defensive effort led our team'
- 01:15
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/05/X3Rst239RKL6A0zFQNdO3o0otmgHUDNA-1733440516806.jpg]()
Sterling Brown: 'The confidence is there'
- 00:26
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/05/h5N7RnfvbPHAzrzMehVRd3fQdAEJxgSu-1733436269493.jpg]()
FANS go CRAZY for this dunk! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d533a928-6d2e-4081-a681-5326bc8d6373.jpg]()
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | RS Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/0ff530da-db2f-4dea-b72e-3f1aeb202f4f.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:13
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Davies dunks on the break! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
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Smailagic's put-back slam! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/88abae27-2c2c-4415-aa7d-33c3305a3253.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A167%3A85]()
Birutis throws it down! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:22
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/0adea31c-c01b-40d8-bb0d-8fe9a50d57e1.jpg?crop=1236%3A695%3Anowe%3A57%3A59]()
Smailagic's big block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:07
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/03/WTxut5ePZB5WD20QqMXCwyCfUoQTVvts-1733265737365.jpg]()
Carlik Jones: 'That gives me motivation to absorb the spotlight'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/4dfca9c9-6a24-41d8-84bc-974fffe64c54.jpg]()
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:21
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2ed31aad-1c5d-482d-ae6e-c0b5adff653e.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A39%3A30]()
Washington's fastbreak dunk and 1! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:25
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d6d774ca-2c35-4fa6-b5c2-2fc4886e9e76.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A120%3A71]()
Bonga dunks after flying high! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:17
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2ffda69e-dbc5-4651-a663-9084bd5e3d60.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A106%3A69]()
Joneses' alley-oop connection! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:18
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/28/yhM3TfLrwsFsSNg4cgimehqhSxKwGv6G-1732834463517.jpg]()
Koprivica dunks in front of Fall! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3fd47d46-1057-44e7-8a55-5b24ba352d51.jpg]()
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-Olympiacos Piraeus | RS Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/92049d76-cbaf-455a-9562-a9286baa0b81.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | RS Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:29
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/22/VFoyDhGC1NUeT53Nul9O5ICBYPeM6R2z-1732310134528.jpg]()
Lonnie’s lift-off!! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/GZzt0du0g6A/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | RS Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 01:29
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/22/AbDlhRWgrfgb0AD6HTcm1Yt3P7lKg57J-1732307196906.jpg]()
Lonnie Walker: ‘I love the team, I love the organization’
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/93468087-bce0-4611-a5fb-27e37ef6805c.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A115%3A123]()
Francisco hustles back for the block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:20
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/355e7bd7-410c-46ca-afa6-459d66d5f51c.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A109%3A94]()
Lonnie’s lift-off!! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Zs36OhPxCjU/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | RS Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:21
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/21/TE3noazfDKS6Hjgaekjm7gNBHcNAYnHf-1732226206333.jpg]()
Tyrique Jones monster block! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 01:20
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/21/3RGAM7sRPMUufNEKuTHUDjZ4G9c58VcF-1732225036168.jpg]()
Carlik Jones: 'To win in the derby is even better'
- 00:59
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/21/7S6K3w3127I9rfeEbAe5KdPqmIrbLeHj-1732225125040.jpg]()
Tyrique Jones: 'We heard our fans in the nosebleeds'
- 00:12
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Carlik Jones makes magic! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/f6db1243-6aa4-45a6-9d25-3003832a98b2.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A109%3A25]()
Tyrique Jones blocks it off the backboard! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Z31LniEC--Q/maxresdefault.jpg]()
'Rivalries: Belgrade' is now out on YouTube | Crvena Zvezda vs. Partizan
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/0599f23e-58b6-433e-b46f-377d3f82a751.jpg]()
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | RS Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/s-yVNftwng0/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | RS Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:19
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d6d774ca-2c35-4fa6-b5c2-2fc4886e9e76.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A112%3A62]()
Isaac Bonga with a big dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:23
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/dee75c92-3966-4e9a-ad8b-db9ac72c6459.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A83%3A138]()
Pokusevski rocks the rim on a fastbreal! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/86b0777d-c4eb-47a5-8f92-55f2634799e5.jpg]()
Paris Basketball-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:23
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/13/GHfqylWLVKCzBSR4mBoRZheOhuTwcaGp-1731535189809.jpg]()
Jones Airlines! | Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/aa5193d9-3d8a-4314-996b-1206a350fbac.jpg]()
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-FC Barcelona | RS Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:18
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Tyrique Jones throws it down in transition! Motorola Magic Moment
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FC Bayern Munich-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y6MhglxthpI/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Paris Basketball-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | RS Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
The losing scenario also did not happen for Partizan mostly because its much improved defense which led the game into another unusual direction.
In the second half, before Walker's basket with 8 seconds to go and the game all but decided, Zalgiris made only 2 two-point shots on just 7 attempts. Those two two-point field goal came, get this, 18 minutes apart!
In all that unusualness, Partizan proved to be a more balanced team, with six different players scoring 8 or more points, while the team committed just 8 turnovers in 40 minutes.
Unusual or not, a win is a win, and this one has improved Partizan to a 5-8 record.
"Three wins in a row, hard to be more solid than that. There is a satisfaction that comes with that, but there is also a satisfaction with the way we play."
In 48 hours, another big test awaits as the defending champ Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens visits.