Mathias Lessort helps Partizan overcome incredible Campazzo's first half in ABA League derby / News - Basketnews.com

Despite Facundo Campazzo's great first half, Partizan found the way to beat Crvena Zvezda in the ABA League derby behind an impressive showing by Mathias Lessort, and get closer to the home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Credit: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

From hero to zero. That's the phrase that best encapsulates both Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Facundo Campazzo's trajectory over the last few weeks.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade / Schedule

Virtus Segafredo Bologna Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade79-88 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade76-62 Anadolu Efes Istanbul Partizan Mozzart Bet BelgradeThu17:30

Last Friday night, the Serbian team and its high-profile winter signing essentially bid farewell to their EuroLeague playoff chances after suffering a second-half meltdown at the hands of Panathinaikos in Athens. Zvezda were sentenced to a painful 66-75 loss, their 16th in the season, while Campazzo went scoreless for the first time in a EuroLeague game since February 2019.

Even though it originally seemed that the tables were reversed on Monday night, Zvezda had to go through the same ordeal, eventually losing to hosts Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade by 92-81 (13-24, 21-24, 29-18, 29-15).

Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

In a fully packed Stark Arena accommodating roughly 17.000 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade fans, Zvezda and Campazzo were a sight to behold - especially in the first half.

In a Serbian derby with high stakes, the team coached by Dusko Ivanovic had an excellent first 18 minutes that allowed them to create a huge 20-point (48-28) lead.

At the same time, Campazzo had 21 points on a perfect 10/10 from the free-throw line, 3/4 from beyond the arc, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals for a PIR of 29. Zvezda looked unstoppable and ready to take over their rivals' arena once again.

But Partizan soon regrouped, just like PAO had done three nights earlier. On the back of a great game from EuroLeague MVP candidate Mathias Lessort, the hosts trimmed down the deficit over the course of 12 minutes. Lessort scored 12 points in the first half, when his team was still struggling, before adding another 9 in the third quarter.

2-pointers this season

56%21,0Points made:21,0Accuracy:56,2%Place in standings:5Record max:29Record min:13Most made 2FGs:Mathias LessortTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Overall, Partizan scored 40 points in those 12 minutes, making it a one-point (65-66) game. Five straight points from Zach LeDay gave Partizan their first lead (70-66) after 33 minutes and put another nail in Zvezda's coffin. The hosts' run amounted to a whopping 16-0, as Zeljko Obradovic's side had picked it up for good.

Facundo Campazzo was held scoreless in the second half, and Zvezda collapsed once again after gaining a big lead.

The win gives Partizan (19-2) a huge boost as far as the first place in the ABA League and the subsequent home-court advantage are concerned. Even though the first game belonged to Zvezda horse and carriage (90-74), the Reds of Belgrade have now two wins less than their rivals (17-3), albeit with one game less.

Mathias Lessort scored 27 points and almost half of them from the free-throw line. Partizan's big man was fouled 14 times tonight and found himself on the line as many as 24 times. He equaled Dejan Milojevic's club record since 2004 (17/21).

Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

In addition, Partizan Mozzart Bet fans have once again set the new ABA League single-game attendance record as 17.124 spectators came to Stark Arena to watch the derby. The previous record was also held by the same team, with 16.531 spectators watching the 2019-20 ABA League regular season, Round 19 match against Buducnost VOLI in Stark Arena, Belgrade.

Partizan Mozzart Bet: Mathias Lessort 27 (6/10 FG, 15/21 FT, 8 REB, 2 AST), Zach LeDay 17 (4/9 FG, 7/8 FT), Dante Exum 15 (4/6 FG, 5/6 FT, 4 AST), Kevin Punter 9, Yam Madar 7 (5 AST).

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet: Facundo Campazzo 21 (4/6 FG, 10/10 FT, 4 REB, 5 AST, 4 TO), Luka Mitrovic 17 (6/10 FG, 5/6 FT, 3 REB), Ben Bentil 10 (5 REB), Luca Vildoza 8 (3/10 FG, 1/1 FT, 4 AST, 3 TO).

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