The Serbian in the final has the shot of success in his hands, but ends up very short: the Partizan 80-78 wins. For Shields 21 points
It was the fourth match in six days, the second consecutive in Belgrade: Milan does not raise the victory over the Red Star, and is defeated by the Partizan 80-78. Defeat that brings with it many regrets, because the Olimpia had recovered a disadvantage that in the third quarter had touched 20 points. It is Guduric who has the triple of victory in his hand, but he doesn’t even hit the iron. For the EA7, still without Brown, they weigh a lot the 16 lost balls and the opportunities wasted in the final, when partizan also had no longer it. An excellent 21-point Shields is not enough to fight the Brown-Jones duo.
The first half of the race
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At the first possession, Milan immediately understands the type of evening that awaits it: asphyxiating defense of the partizan exteriors, which strengthens a lost ball. It will be the main reason for Serbian success. They are Brown and Carlik Jones starting strongly, while Olimpia responds with Leday and Shields. The Serbs pull the rope, but the Messina team is in the game thanks to excellent percentages of 3 (even 5/8 in the first quarter), with open shots thanks to the exits of Shields and Brooks. The balance, however, breaks a few minutes from the interval: the pressing of the hosts gets up, and Milan even loses 11 balls, while Mannion, Ellis and Guduric suffer the opposing penetrations: with a partial of 12-2, Partizan falls into the locker room on 45-33.
the ending
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The third quarter lives on folate: Partizan begins, with a couple of ko blows with Brown and Jones, always them: the Serbs touch the +20, but Shields replies with a pair of triples. Obradovic’s team lowers the intensity and the Olimpia reopens everything with two prowess of Brooks, which brings his to -7. The game remains in balance, Nebo raises the wall but tiredness grows and Shields accuses a problem that forces him to go out. Yet, with the partizan on the ropes, the company is touched. First NEBO, then Guduric and a free of Bolmaro give -2, and the excellent defense on Jones gives Guduric the victory shot: his Stepback, however, ends up very short by detonating the Belgrade Arena.
Partizan: Brown 20, c.jones 15, bonga 10
Milan: Shields 21, Brooks 12, Guduric 12
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