Obradovic frustrated with his team as Partizan on the verge of ABA elimination / News - Basketnews.com

Zeljko Obradovic expressed his frustration with his team's performance against the eighth-seeded Studentski Centar in Game 1, attributing the loss to a lack of focus: "We went into the game casually, and that's why we lost."

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

ABA League regular-season winners Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade are one loss away from elimination in the quarterfinals after an 83-84 defeat against Studentski Centar.

Points this season

50%85,4Points made:85,4Accuracy:49,7%Place in standings:3Record max:104Record min:58Best scorer:Kevin PunterTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

This loss comes on the heels of a disappointing series against Real Madrid in the EuroLeague playoffs, where Partizan suffered three consecutive defeats.

"We went into the game casually and that's why we lost," Zeljko Obradovic explained the loss vs. the eight-seeded Studentski Centar. "It is an incredible fact that in the last five minutes, we lost a stretch 4 to 11. Everything happened against us who have experience, that is impossible... We conceded a three-pointer and a foul, it happened to a team like us. Now we have an away match, it's up to us to get ready and bring the series back to Belgrade."

Partizan's next game is a must-win situation if they hope to keep their championship aspirations alive.

"Now, I have to ask my players one by one if they knew their opponents," Obradovic continued. "Did we, as the coaching staff, prepare the game plan properly, did they get all the information, did we take care of everything?"

While Obradovic urged his players to put their EuroLeague disappointment behind them, it appears that the lingering effects of the series loss are still evident.

"I asked all the players not to talk about the EuroLeague and that our primary goal was and still is the ABA League. We need to find motivation. You saw how it looked, the motivation was not at the necessary level for the playoffs."

Partizan faced additional challenges in the game due to the absence of two players, Alen Smailagic and Tristan Vukcevic. Obradovic said that Smailagic was missing due to knee pain. Regarding Vukcevic, the winningest European coach sent a bold message.

"Tristan Vukcevic is in the United States. Where? I have no idea. He got the club's permission to leave. That's the only thing I know," Obradovic concluded.

Vukcevic is currently among 78 athletes who are participating in the NBA Draft Combine 2023 in Chicago. From May 15-21, these players will compete in various scrimmages and drills, while also having the opportunity to interview with team personnel ahead of June's draft.

Game highlights:

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