Real Madrid takes Game 3 to make it 2-1 in series in EuroLeague playoffs

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Real Madrid defeated Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 82-80 to cut the series deficit to 2-1 in Game 3 of their EuroLeague playoff Tuesday.

Real Madrid's Walter Tavares made a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds while Mario Hezonja produced 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds at the Stark Arena.

Also, Nigel Williams-Goss had a huge night with 22 points in 23 minutes for the Spanish club.

The Serbian basketball club's Zach LeDay and Alen Smailagic scored 15 points apiece in the home loss.

Real Madrid head coach Chus Mateo said after the game that his team had very bad moments in the beginning, but they came back into the game.

"We started to feed the low post, to play with Tavares inside, and we got an opportunity to come back. At the end, it was tied, the same as Game 1. They could have won, we could have won. I am very happy right now," Mateo said.

In another Tuesday game, AS Monaco beat Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv​​​​​​​ 83-78 at Menora Mivtachim Arena to take a 2-1 series lead.

The 2023 Final Four will take place in Kaunas, Lithuania on May 19-21. Zalgirio Arena will host the four best sides, who will play in the semifinals on Friday, May 19.

The third-place and championship games will be on Sunday, May 21.