Partizan Belgrade has secured a decisive victory over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, finishing with a score of 86-73 at the Belgrade Arena on March 1, 2025. The win improved Partizan's overall record to 15-12 and highlighted their ability to perform under pressure.
From the outset, the game showcased Partizan's capabilities. Led by Coach Željko Obradović, the team dominated the first half, overwhelming Baskonia with their strategic plays. Carlik Jones emerged as the star, scoring 21 points, alongside Sterling Brown, who contributed 19 points. Their offensive prowess was key to maintaining control of the match.
Baskonia, coached by Pablo Laso, initially faced tough challenges. Despite starting strong, they quickly fell behind due to a disastrous second quarter where they scored only 7 points, compared to Partizan's 20. This momentum shift inevitably set the tone for the rest of the game. After Luka Šamanić tied the score at 18, Baskonia's performance dropped sharply, allowing Partizan to build significant leads.
After halftime, Laso's team attempted to mount a comeback. Their adjustments paid off as they minimized the gap thanks to contributions from players such as Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, Nikos Rogkavopoulos, and Trent Forrest, each of whom scored double digits. At one point, they brought the score to 74-69, igniting hope for their fans.
But Partizan wouldn't be so easily shaken. With Isaiah Mike hitting two back-to-back three-pointers late in the game, they pushed the score back, ensuring their lead would not slip away. Mike's late-game performance was instrumental, demonstrating Partizan's depth and adaptability.
Baskonia's Coach Pablo Laso addressed the media post-match, expressing gratitude toward Partizan but sorrow over his team's missed opportunities. "I want to congratulate Partizan for the victory. I think the game was basically decided in the first half. If you give 20 points to a EuroLeague team at home, it’s very difficult to recover," he noted. His assessment indicated the necessity for his side to develop resilience early on and maintain it throughout the entirety of their matches.
Throughout the game, Partizan exhibited defensive ferocity, stifling Baskonia's attempts to create effective scoring opportunities. The 23-2 run during the second quarter starkly contrasted with Baskonia's efforts, which seemed disconnected and lethargic at times. The stark difference illustrated the importance of taking advantage of early-game momentum—a lesson Baskonia learned too late.
The players from Baskonia are left to reflect on both their bright moments and their struggles, as their performance did display potential, particularly during their later attempts to regain control. Their efforts to claw back were commendable, but not enough to mitigate the damage inflicted early by Partizan.
Overall, this matchup showcased the talent and determination within the EuroLeague, as both teams demonstrated different stages of development and execution. Partizan emphasized their position within the competition, proving their championship aspirations solidified with this win, whereas Baskonia must work on consistency and avoid allowing such significant leads early on.
With this victory, Partizan solidifies its playoff contention hopes, continuing to push forward as they eye the promise of postseason glory. For Baskonia, the focus now will shift to rectifying tactical errors and improving upon their performance to climb back up the standings as the EuroLeague season progresses.