By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
It’s back to business for Partizan Mozzart Bet and Dante Exum with the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs best-of-five series opposite Real Madrid resuming tomorrow, Tuesday.
Despite initial concerns about a serious injury for Dante Exum stemming from the bench-clearing brawl of Game 2, the Australian swingman practiced alongside teammates and under the guidance of Zeljko Obradovic on Monday.
Barring a setback, he will be available to play in Game 3 with Partizan having already a 2-0 lead after achieving two road wins in Spain and needs one more to secure qualifications for EuroLeague Final Four.
As Obradovic said about the condition of Exum: “He insisted on helping the team, even though he has problems with his tendon. I think he will be in the team for tomorrow’s game”.
Exum, 27, was on the receiving end of a dangerous wrestling-styled side suplex by Guerschon Yabusele. The latter was among the players eventually sanctioned by Euroleague Basketball in the aftermath of the eventful contest in Madrid’s WiZink Center.
From Spain’s capital to Belgrade’s Stark Arena, Partizan can possibly complete a three-game sweep and clinch a berth in the Final Four immediately. Losing Game 3 would lead both sides to a Game 4 matchup at the same venue Thursday.
Despite the healthy squad, Kevin Punter serving the first half of his two-game suspension and Mathias Lessort his one-game game suspension will both miss Game 3.
The Whites, apart from Yabusele and Gabriel Deck being suspended and Carlos Alocen (left knee) remaining sidelined, the status of Walter Tavares (left knee) remains unclear. In better news for Chus Mateo, Vincent Poirier (appendicitis) returned to action for Sunday’s home win against Casademont Zaragoza in Spain’s Liga Endesa Regular Season Round 30.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net