Partizan Belgrade won Buducnost Podgorica in regional ABA league derby match. Final result in front of more than 16,500 spectators, which is new record attendance in this league, was 87:82 (19:23, 28:22, 21:19, 19:18) for Partizan. This win makes Partizan alone on first place with 15 wins and 4 loses, while Buducnost is second with 14 wins (inlcuding 20:0 against Red Star which did not show in hall for game) and 5 loses.
It was not easy but very tough game just like all predicted. It was something like gunfight near OK corral! Away players lead by back Sehovic shoot a lot of 3 pointer bombs, but in crucial moment of first half when it looked like game is going to go on their side home shooter, American Marcuh Paige, showed that he is excellent gunfighter too. His four 3 pointers returned black and white into the game. Partizan players got wings and consolidate and managed to even take little advantage at the end of first half.
Buducnost had better percent, but Partizan players managed to catch a lot more rebounds thanks to center William Mosley. He lead fans to delirium with his slam dunks or effective monster blocks like one you can see in this video:
Game entered in interesting equal finish, but home player Ognjen Jaramaz then scored points in row and brought Partizan to +5 lead. American center Mosley did some nice blocking, catch rebounds and score points for keeping this lead. At the end Buducnost managed to reduce score to 5 for Partizan and celebration in Aleksandar Nikolic hall could start!
This 5 point win of Partizan is same like 5 point win for Buducnost in Podgorica earlier this season. Partizan now has 1 more win, but if both sides end season with same number of wins, with same +5 wins at home in direct games squad with better ratio in scored and conceded baskets will be first and will have crucial home advantage in playoff. League need yet to confirm its decision about non played game between Buducnost and Red Star which is at the moment 20:0 for club from Podgorica, but decision could be canceled because of Red Star appeal. New game could be ordered if bosses of league approve this appeal.
Nothing is decided yet. Partizan will play against Krka from Slovenia away next week and that club can always surprise. Week after black and white will play struggling Serbian side Mega at home. In last round current leader will travel to Zagreb in Drazen Petrovic hall to play against iconic representative of Croatia Cibona which had poor season so far. That is always derby no matter on current position on table.
Buducnost will play their derby game against fellow Montenegro club Mornar from Bar at home, then will travel to Ljubljana to play new derby against Slovanian-Croatian side Cedevita-Olimpia. Last week Buducnost will play FMP at home.
Here is how ABA league table look like now.
Bad thing for black and white is fact that Nemanja Gordic didn't play because of injury he picked up against Virtus. One more good player Reggie Redding is absent from before and will be out until the end of season. Those injuries are shortening Partizan rooster before important finish of season and EURO cup elimination stage.
Good thing is fact that this game was inside sport borders without spitting or some nasty attacks on away players. I sincerely hope remaining games will be in same sport spirit.