Zeljko Obradovic provides update on Jaleen Smith, questions late foul / News - Basketnews.com

Obradovic said he thought there was an unsportsmanlike foul on Kevin Punter in the last minute but didn't want to question the referees' decision further. The coach revealed that Jaleen Smith should play in the ABA League game against Mornar on Saturday.

Credit: Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic Credit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade lost at home for the second time this season after falling short against Virtus Segafredo Bologna. After the game, Partizan's head coach, Zeljko Obradovic, opened up about several moments of the match.

Player of the Game EFF 20 Gabriel Lundberg Points 16 Accuracy 5-9 Rebounds 2 Assists 3

Partizan led only twice during the entire game, and both times came in the first minutes of the first quarter. Nevertheless, Obradovic was happy with the team's energy on the court.

"Two absolutely different energies. Against Zadar, we didn't have energy, and tonight we did. Congratulations to the players for everything tonight. We lost because we didn't make one shot. If one ball had gone in, it would have been different. We did everything we needed to do. The players were always open, the game's flow was good, they died in defense, so Zadar and this game are not comparable at all," he said about Thursday's game when compared to the 16-point loss against Zadar in the ABA League on Sunday.

"Only five assists and nine turnovers in the first half. That was the problem. We got back into the match when they were leading. We managed to find energy and desire, and we got into a situation where we had open shots. We didn't make them, life goes on. Everything is ok. When the game is played like this and when the team is fighting, I have no complaints," Obradovic explained.

Late in the game, there was a hard foul on Kevin Punter, which Partizan thought was unsportsmanlike. After a review, the referees determined it did not match the criteria for it.

Asked about the episode, Obradovic said he disagreed with the call but didn't want to question it further.

"Kevin got an amazing opportunity at the end. Debatable situation... We need to look at whether it was an intentional foul. When I saw this quickly, it looked like an unsportsmanlike foul. But the referees reviewed it and decided as they decided," the famous coach said.

A few days ago, Partizan signed Jaleen Smith, who started the season with Virtus, the team the Serbian squad played on Thursday. The guard has already started practicing with the team and should join the game-day roster soon, Zeljko revealed.

"He had one practice session with us yesterday morning and one this morning, the last one before the game. He will travel with us and play against Mornar the day after tomorrow," Obradovic concluded.

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