Chus Mateo didn't enjoy scoring feast at Real-Partizan: 'It looked like an East-West game' / News - Basketnews.com

Despite Real Madrid's win over Partizan, Chus Mateo commented on his team's defensive attitude in the first quarter, when they allowed 40 points.

Credit: Oscar J. Barroso/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire Credit Oscar J. Barroso/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire

On Thursday night, the WiZink Center experienced an offensive showdown rarely seen in European basketball. Real Madrid outlasted Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade by a vibrant 105-97 thanks to 20 points from their captain, Sergio Llull.

Player of the Game EFF 21 Gabriel Deck Points 15 Accuracy 7-8 Rebounds 1 Assists 4

It was one of those games that dazzle the fans but make the coaches climb up the walls because almost no one defended.

Real Madrid made 11/22 3pt shots, while Partizan presented an astounding 17/35. Moreover, the two teams hit 54.4% of their field goals and only missed six of their 46 free throws.

The first quarter was already one for the books, as the two teams got off to a barrage of 72 overall points (32-40), a new EuroLeague record. Madrid had never conceded so much in a single quarter in their history.

"We have three fouls and we haven't stopped any of their fast breaks," coach Chus Mateo lamented during a time-out. "We said to go out hard. Is this going out hard?" he asked his players.

Partizan made 8/12 triples in that span. Madrid, who did not launch a 3pt shot until after minute six, only missed three from the field. A basketball fantasy.

Not for Mateo, though, who pointed out that "at times the game looked like an East-West NBA All-Star game. Both teams had a lot of success from distance, especially in the first quarter."

He was also asked about the 40 points received in the first quarter.

"Those 40 points in the first 10 minutes have left me feeling bad, but we have been able to reverse this situation in the next 10 in which they scored 11 points. Sometimes, games go down paths you don't expect," he continued before talkingabout his side's hardships during the match.

"It has been difficult because they opened the court a lot for us and we had problems defending certain shots. Ndiaye has changed the face of the game with his defense. We have left them with 11 points in the second quarter," he observed.

Sergio Llull and Mario Hezonja helped the hosts build a resounding 20-2 run, which put Madrid up 52-42. Partizan stayed in the game until the half-time buzzer thanks to Danilo Andjusic but couldn't keep up with a much deeper team.

"Partizan lack depth, but they're very dangerous," Mateo stressed. "We scored 105 points but we conceded 97. The game required a lot of energy and in general, we played a good game. The way for us was to defend and not exchange buckets," said Mateo.

Thus, Real snatched their fifth consecutive victory in the EuroLeague.

"Five straight wins have value and indicate that we are on the right track, but we must continue," he explained.

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