Four matches against Euroleague teams - three wins and a defeat that could have been avoided if the refereeing had been fair. If anyone doubted whether Budućnost Voli was a team capable of great deeds, they received yet another confirmation that they were wrong in the hell of the M:tel Hall "Morača".
The triumph in Belgrade was confirmed by Andrej Žakelj's great team with an even more important one in Podgorica - this time Partizan was defeated 81:77, with a safe game and attractions.
The "blue and white" are thus alone at the top with three rounds remaining in the Admiralbet ABA League, with one more win than the "black and white" and a better head-to-head record, so they now have the luxury of losing one match and still retaining first place.
In the second quarter, Buducnost started building a big victory, everyone shone - from the super attractive Juvan Morgan, to Yogi Ferrell, Nikola Tanaskovic, Rashid Sulajmon, Kenan Kamenjas and Fletcher Magee, and when a leader was needed at the finish, McKinley Wright was there again.
His points and assists (he also threw two layups for Morgan) led Buducnost to a big victory.
The future is at the top, far from having won anything, but all the games this year announce that this team has something more, something to go all the way and repeat 2018 when they were regional champions.
THE FUTURE LOVES - PARTISAN 81:77 (21:20, 22:13, 25:24, 13:20)
Podgorica - M:tel Hall "Morača". Attendance: 5.200. Referees: Nedović, Majkić (Slovenia), Kardum (Croatia).
Buducnost Voli: Morgan 14 (3-3), SAJAMNON 9 (3-3), Ilic, Megi 7, Slavkovic, TANASKOVIC 8 (3-2), Ferel 11, JOVANOVIC 3, Drežnjak 2, Omic 2 (2-2), Wright 17 (6-6), Kamenjas 8 (3-2).
Partizan: DAVIS 13 (8-6), Lundberg 5, K. Jones 23 (8-6), NILIKINA 3, Washington, Koprivica, MARINKOVIC 11 (1-1), Pokuševski 2, BONGA 7, LAKIC, Mike 5 (2-1), T. Jones 8.
KRAAAAAJ - what a game for Buducnost, another lesson for the Euroleague team and first place before the playoffs in their pocket.
In a great atmosphere, the "blue and white" defeated Partizan 81:77.
Kamenjaš hits a free kick, Buducnost has a minute and 24 left to go with 81:73
Partizan came close at 77:73, but Wright scored again (79:73), after which Kamenjaš attractively blocked Davis.
Wright continues to "carry" Buducnost - first he managed to disrupt Partizan center Aiza Majko in attack, and then hit two free throws (77:70).
A big fight in "Morača", Budućnost is still far from victory - Partizan is threatening, it came close to minus five twice, but for now the "blues" are repelling those attacks - 75:68.
But there's McKinley Wright - the guy who decided the match in Belgrade with 2+1, interrupting the minor torture in attack, Buducnost leads 71:62.
Budućnost entered the final quarter weaker, three minutes passed and the "blue and white" still had not scored a point. However, the defense was still great and they maintained a solid lead (68:62).
Vanja Marinković's three-pointer and Lundberg's layup opened the final quarter (68:62) - Žekelj had to call a timeout immediately.
End of the third quarter - another excellent period for Buducnost was put to an end by Nikola Tanaskovic with an offensive rebound and two points for 68:57 before the decisive ten minutes.
Just like in Belgrade, Buducnost has an answer to every threat from Partizan so far - Ferel scores five consecutive points to make it 62:50.
That's why the plus 13 comes after new attractions and after a new alley-oop by the same tandem - Wright and Morgan lead Buducnost at 55:42.
Obradović calls for a timeout.
Buducnost could have reached the maximum plus 13, but did not take advantage of the chances after two offensive rebounds by Kamenjaš in the same attack.
Karlik Jones played well for Partizan, scoring six of the guests' eight points in the second half, but that didn't affect Buducnost's game either - the "blue and white" are keeping their lead brilliantly, and after Wright's three-pointer they led 53:42.
The second half started, Sulajmon hit a three-pointer, and Buducnost had a new biggest lead at the start (46:35).
Showtime at the end of the first half - layup by McKinley Wright and Juvan Morgan for ten points before the break (43:33).
Plus ten for the "blue and white" - Sulaimon hit three shots at 41:31, one minute and 33 seconds until halftime.
Technical fouls on both sides - Kamenjaš's first of the game, Tyreke Jones' third.
Once again, Morgan is phenomenal - now a three-pointer for 38:29, Obradović has to call a timeout again.
Mooorgan - great dunk, Buducnost leads 35:27.
Bonus video:
