Lamar Stevens recorded career highs in three statistical categories as Partizan defeated Maccabi 88-67 in Belgrade on Friday, November 6.
Stevens finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, setting personal bests in rebounds, blocks and performance index rating (PIR). His 22 PIR earned him the adidas player-of-the-game award.
Ethan Thompson also played a major role, scoring a season-high 16 points while making five of nine three-point attempts. Partizan improved to 5-5, while Maccabi fell to 2-8 in the EuroLeague.
The hosts established control early, making five of their first six attempts from beyond the arc and opening a 23-7 advantage. Partizan maintained its momentum, taking a 50-35 lead into halftime.
Stevens energized the Belgrade Arena with two spectacular blocks before adding a full-court dunk. Partizan extended the margin to 60-40 midway through the third quarter, leaving Maccabi struggling to find a response.
Robert Franks and Nikola Tanaskovic contributed 11 points apiece. Tanaskovic also collected seven rebounds, helping Partizan cover the absences of Hayes and Jekiri.
Carlik Jones scored seven points and dished out seven assists.
Partizan finished with 27 assists and only seven turnovers, while grabbing 12 offensive rebounds. The hosts also made 14 three-pointers, compared with just five for Maccabi.
Maccabi struggled from long range, converting just five of 23 attempts. Daniel Theis led the visitors with 11 points, while former Partizan guard Yam Madar added 10.
Partizan hosts Baskonia on Wednesday, November 11, while Maccabi welcomes Hapoel for the Tel Aviv derby on Thursday, November 12.
