Zeljko Obradovic explains why James Nunnally and Yam Madar didn't play / News - Basketnews.com

Zeljko Obradovic explained that it was his own decision to bench three of the five starting players minutes into the game. He admitted that the bad start was the deciding factor in the match.

Credit: Cedevita Olimpija/Ales Fevzer Credit Cedevita Olimpija/Ales Fevzer

After beginning the game in the starting five, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's trio of James Nunnally, Yam Madar, and Alen Smailagic played a total of only 13 minutes combined.

Player of the Game EFF 21 Jarell Martin Points 13 Accuracy 5-7 Rebounds 5 Assists 3

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv started the game with an impressive 18-4 run. Seconds after all three players were substituted out of the game and did not return.

When the team's head coach Zeljko Obradovic was asked to explain why it happened, the veteran specialist was straightforward.

"[It was] a coach decision," Obradovic said. He later admitted that the start of the game was the deciding factor.

"We started the game very bad. The beginning of the game was very bad for us. After that we tried, the team tried but it was not enough to change the game."

Israeli journalists insisted on gathering more information about Madar and his situation. Obradovic provided an in-depth answer.

"Every player has an opportunity to improve during every practice and every game. It's not the case with Yam Madar or any other player. Anyone of them has an opportunity to understand some things and play better," the legendary coach explained. "He's played a lot of very good games this season, I hope that he will continue to be at the level that is necessary to be a player in the EuroLeague."

With 8 wins and 10 losses, Partizan are currently in 11th place in the EuroLeague standings. The club welcomes Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz on Friday to close out the double week.

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