Real Madrid has secured its first EuroLeague victory. After an unprecedented 0-3 start in club history, Pedro Martínez's team defeated unbeaten Partizan 86-76 at the Movistar Arena. The game was decided by a dominant first half (53-37), with Real Madrid holding firm against Joan Peñarroya's team's second-half comeback attempt.
A first half to breathe easy
The start was even until midway through the first quarter (12-12). From there, Real Madrid found its rhythm, and a three-pointer by Andrés Feliz at the buzzer closed the first quarter at 27-19. The second quarter began with an 8-0 run that forced Peñarroya to call a timeout, and the lead reached 19 points. Walter Tavares, with 4 points and 2 rebounds in the final stretch of the quarter, left the halftime score at 53-37.
Partizan tightens the screws
Partizan, traveling without Lamar Stevens, Derek Willis, and Vanja Marinkovic, came out of the locker room with a 0-9 run and cut it to seven points. A dunk by Tavares stopped the streak. Real Madrid recovered defensive solidity with the Cape Verdean center on the floor, and Alex Pradilla and Chuma Okeke provided the push to enter the final quarter with a 14-point lead (71-57).
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A stress-free finish
The final quarter began with a 12-6 run that put the game out of reach. Partizan won the quarter (15-19) when it was already decided, never putting Real Madrid's victory in jeopardy.
Real Madrid spread the scoring: Theo Maledon led with 13 points, followed by Facundo Campazzo (12), Andrés Feliz and Nick Smith Jr. (9 each), and Pradilla and Tavares (8). For Partizan, Carlik Jones finished with 19 points, Ethan Thompson 14, and Tonye Jekiri 11. Luca Vildoza managed just 2 points in the Argentine duel with Campazzo.
No one left winless
With this result and Maccabi Tel Aviv's victory over Olimpia Milano, no team remains without a win in the EuroLeague. Real Madrid stands at 1-3 and Partizan at 3-1, while Valencia Basket and Panathinaikos are the only two unbeaten teams. Real Madrid returns to the Liga Endesa on Sunday (12:00) against Kids&Us Manresa.