Three wins in the first three EuroLeague rounds are not enough for sweeping conclusions, but they have already revealed one trait of Joan Peñarroya’s team: this Partizan is very difficult to knock out of a game!
For long stretches in Munich, Bayern seemed to have finally found Partizan’s breaking point. The shots were not falling, the half-court offense nearly disappeared in the third quarter, the rotation was severely shortened by injuries, and the home team went up 65-52. When Andreas Obst hit a three to make it 81-74 with a little more than four minutes remaining, Bayern had both the lead and control of the game.
They scored only three more points. Partizan answered with a 12-3 run and won 86-84. From Bayern’s largest lead of 13, the Black and Whites closed the game 34-19 and left Munich with their third EuroLeague victory.
Partizan Stayed Alive Through Defense and Ball Security
Partizan could not rely on its shooting or on any sustained rhythm in the half court. It finished with 25 assists and only eight turnovers, while Bayern had 16 assists and 17 turnovers. Partizan also recorded 13 steals, creating enough extra possessions through its defense and ball security to stay in the game.
Alessandro Pajola and Luca Vildoza were once again at the center of that effort. Together, they produced 11 assists, seven steals and only two turnovers while constantly putting pressure on Bayern’s offensive organization.
Pajola scored only four points, but he added seven assists, four steals and spent much of the night making life difficult for Andreas Obst. One of Europe’s best shooters never found the rhythm he needs to take over a game. Vildoza added three steals and four assists and remained one of the players through whom Partizan maintained control as the game tightened late.
Together, they give Peñarroya the ability to disrupt an opponent’s possession before the action can properly develop.
Jekiri Kept Partizan Within Striking Distance
Partizan reached Carlik Jones’ late-game takeover in large part because of Tonye Jekiri. Seventeen points in 17 minutes, five rebounds and no turnovers. Partizan did not need to reshape its offense around him. He finished out of the pick-and-roll, used the space around the rim and provided points during stretches when other offensive options were disappearing.
For three quarters, it had not looked like one of Carlik’s big nights. He entered the fourth with four points, had not made a three, and Bayern had spent most of the game taking away his easiest routes to the basket and making him work for everything. When Obst made it 81-74, Carlik did not try to erase the deficit with one difficult shot. He chose wisely and attacked the rim… Once, then again! He found space, then contact, converted an and-one and forced Bayern’s defense to retreat deeper toward the basket. In a little more than two minutes, Partizan went from seven points down to an 83-81 lead.
Carlik changed the way he attacked the basket, and it made a huge difference. Banja Sy also hit a huge three to make it 77-74, Nikola Tanasković and Mario Nakić provided useful minutes, while Arijan Lakić remained valuable despite a poor shooting night through his defense, rebounding and ball pressure.
The Third Quarter Exposed the Offensive Ceiling
Then again, the third quarter exposed a real problem. Eleven points in ten minutes showed how quickly Partizan’s offense can run out of answers when Carlik is out of rhythm and the initial plan stops working. Against stronger opponents, a 13-point deficit will not always leave enough time for a comeback.
Ethan Thompson remains a separate issue. His role is still unclear, his offensive contribution has been limited, and the team’s results are, for now, easing the pressure that would already be much greater under different circumstances. Partizan can give him time to regain his confidence, but it will not be able to wait too long if his impact does not change.
The roster itself will probably need more depth at some point. Munich showed how much Peñarroya is already having to stretch his rotation and look for solutions outside the roles originally envisioned for certain players. With Real Madrid away, followed by Panathinaikos and Crvena zvezda in Belgrade, the demands will only increase.
Building a Lead Against This Partizan Is Not Enough
The 3-0 start should not be treated as a promise of a great season. Partizan was down 13, then down seven with four minutes remaining, without its shot and with a shortened rotation. It protected the ball and defended well enough to give its best players a chance to decide the game late.
After Munich, we already know that building a lead against this Partizan is not enough. You still have to hold onto it.
