Kevin Punter started EuroLeague playoff series with MVP honors / News - Basketnews.com

Punter had 26 points, 6 assists, and 33 PIR in a Game 1 win over Real.

Credit: Sonia Canada/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Europe Credit Sonia Canada/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Europe

Kevin Punter lifted Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade to a thrilling 87-89 series opening road win over Real Madrid and in the process earned the honor as the MVP of Game 1 of the playoffs.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade / Schedule

Real Madrid Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade87-89 Real Madrid Partizan Mozzart Bet BelgradeThu18:45 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade Real MadridTue18:30

Punter drained a game-winning three-pointer with 0.4 seconds on the clock and finished the game with 26 points.

He knocked down 5-of-8 three-pointers, made 9 of 9 free throws, and tied his career-high with 6 assists.

Punter's career-high PIR of 33 was the best among players on winning teams in Game 1, securing him his second MVP of the Round honor.

Also with a PIR of 33 in that game, but in a losing effort, was Real's Gabriel Deck, who scored 24 points on 8-for-8 two-point shooting, tied for the third-best in a playoff game since 2005.

Deck also made 8 of 11 free throws, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished 1 assist, and collected 1 steal.

The next best PIR, 26, belonged to Wade Baldwin of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. In his team's 67-79 road win at AS Monaco, Baldwin collected 20 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds.

Five different players had PIRs of 20: Sertac Sanli of FC Barcelona, Monaco's Alpha Diallo, Real's Walter Tavares, Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, and Moustapha Fall of Olympiacos Piraeus.

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