Obradovic makes a victorious return to OAKA in heated battle vs. Panathinaikos / News - Basketnews.com

Partizan beat Panathinaikos 91-89 in Zeljko Obradovic's return to OAKA.

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Zeljko Obradovic returned to OAKA as Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's (3-3) head coach and claimed a victory against Panathinaikos Athens (1-5).

Player of the Game EFF 28 Mathias Lessort Points 15 Accuracy 5-7 Rebounds 11 Assists 2

The Serbian team beat the Greens 91-89 (31-16, 23-25, 14-23, 23-25) and claimed the third victory in a row.

After a rough start, Panathinaikos managed to bounce back in the fourth quarter. With 3:19 remaining, Kevin Punter made a 3-pointer and increased Partizan's lead to 88-78.

However, Mateusz Ponitka sank both free throws, Derrick Williams added a layup, Dwayne Bacon also made both free throws, and with 47 seconds left, Panathinaikos deficit was cut to four points (84-88).

Moments later, Bacon added three more free throws, and with 7 seconds left, Panathinaikos were trailing by 2 points (87-89). Yet, Danilo Andjusic didn't miss free throws and secured the victory for Partizan.

In the beginning, it looked like Panathinaikos would have a long evening ahead, as the visitors won the first quarter 31-16. In the middle of the second period, Partizan were leading 51-36. However, Panathinaikos made a comeback in the second half and made a close game.

The game was also interrupted by Panathinaikos fans.With 3:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, Punter hit a 3-point shot that made it 88-78 for the Serbian side.

Panathinaikos fans, who were sitting courtside, kicked some banners that entered the court, and then all hell broke loose.

Objects were thrown by PAO's ultras and also by those sitting behind Partizan's bench. The game was interrupted for almost 10 minutes before it finally resumed.

Home fans were extremely irritated by their team's poor 1-4 start in the EuroLeague, and despite the fact that the arena's announcer repeatedly asked them to stop using lasers, they continued to do so.

Kevin Punter led the show for Partizan, scoring 29 points (4/9 2Pt, 6/8 3PT, 3/4 FT) and adding 4 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers for 24 PIR. The American guard had 20 points after the first half.

Meanwhile, Dwayne Bacon was among Panathinaikos top scorers in his debut for the Greens. He finished the game with 17 points (3/9 2PT, 1/6 3PT, 8/9 FT), 1 rebound, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, and 8 PIR.

Panathinaikos: Dwayne Bacon 17 (3/9 2PT, 1/6 3PT), Nate Wolters 17 (5/7 2PT, 2/3 3PT, 20 PIR), Derrick Williams 14 (3/8 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 7 REB), Mateusz Ponitka 12 (4/4 2PT), Georgios Papagiannis 10 (3/3 2PT).

Partizan: Kevin Punter 29 (4/9 2PT, 6/8 3PT), Mathias Lessort 15 (5/7 2PT, 11 REB, 28 PIR), Zach LeDay 13 (5/12 2PT, 10 REB), Dante Exum 12 (5/5 2PT), Danilo Andjusic 10, Yam Madar 10.

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