Partizan NIS celebrated in Skopje after a great battle
Partizan NIS stay undefeated even after four games played at the beginning of this season of ABA League. They have cracked Karpoš Sokoli on the road in Skopje late in the game and deservedly celebrated once more.
Adin Vrabac (Photo: Karpos Sokoli/Igor Panevski)
Partizan NIS stay undefeated even after four games played at the beginning of this season of ABA League. They have cracked Karpoš Sokoli on the road in Skopje late in the game and deservedly celebrated once more.
ABA League Round 4, Monday, 10.10.2016:
Karpoš Sokoli – PARTIZAN NIS 77:84 (20:22, 21:20, 20:20, 16:22)
Game recap: Partizan NIS maintain 100% record after four games played this season and what makes this information even more impressive is the fact that they won three of those on the road. They won the last one in Skopje, after cracking the resistance of the home side late in the game – no earlier than the last quarter. The league's newcomers Sokoli keep waiting for their first ever win in the ABA League even after 4 games behind them.
Key moments: Sokoli fought a great battle on the way to their desired first win of the ABA League in entire history and all until midway through the fourth quarter their odds were not looking bad. They had a 70:69 lead in 35th minute, but then Branislav Ratkovica and Vanja Marinković nailed two consecutive three-pointers to put their team ahead 75:70. When a mid- range jumper followed by William Hatcher for 77:70, the hopes of Sokoli were gone!
Man of the match: He wasn't the top scorer of the game, nor was he the most valuable at the winning black and white side when it comes to index rating, but Novica Veličković was the player that was the x-factor tonight for Partizan NIS. He ended the game with 13 points and led the team in rebounding with 7 rebounds grabbed. He also dished out four assists, but what is the most important is the fact that his team created themselves a 16-point advantage during 26 minutes that he spent on court. Novica Veličković is our man of the match!
Can't trick the stats: It is impossible to win in modern basketball if you aren't even close to the opponent when it comes to the inside game and Partizan NIS have proven this. They have converted their supremacy in rebounding (38:20) to grab a win on the road in Skopje even though they did not shine in some other aspects of the game.
