All we learned from FIBA 3x3 World Tour Abu Dhabi Masters 2023

ABU DHABI (UAE) - The FIBA 3x3 World Tour returned to Abu Dhabi in style with Miami (USA) claiming their second Masters title of the season.

Let's recap all the action from the Abu Dhabi Masters.

Fredette-led Miami are bringing the heat 

Only an Enis Murati title-winning bucket in Amsterdam denied Miami a three-peat of victories on the World Tour.

After so much hype in their debut season, Miami have overcome a slow start and become the form team on the World Tour since their memorable breakthrough in Cebu.

They've peaked at the right time with Miami enjoying a brilliant unbeaten run in Abu Dhabi. It wasn't easy with the Americans scraping past dangerous opponents Pirot (SRB) and San Juan (PUR) on Day One.

Miami went up a gear in an all-American quarter-final against Omaha (USA) before squeezing past in-form Lausanne Sport LS (SUI) to set up a showdown with Partizan (SRB) in the decider.

You just knew former NBA player Jimmer Fredette was going to take over and he did exactly that with a ridiculous 12 points and 6 highlights to capture his second Masters MVP.

He was Jimmer Buckets once again to finish with a leading 37 points, including 39% from deep.

There were fears earlier in the season over them, but Miami are bringing the heat to the World Tour at the perfect time.

 

Partizan are on the top tier

Partizan have long been a competitive team, but overshadowed by several of their legendary compatriots from 3x3 powerhouse Serbia. 

Not anymore. Partizan are getting close to a triumph on the World Tour after a runners-up performance having made the semis in Amsterdam. 

They overcame a tricky pool stage by beating Beijing (CHN) and Manila Chooks (PHI) before saving their best performance by knocking out Chengdu Masters champs Liman Huishan NE (SRB) in the quarters. 

Partizan had to then face a pumped-up Ub Huishan NE (SRB) with the No.1 seeds out to end a recent drought. They appeared to be on the way out but Stefan Torbica had other ideas with an insane two-piece with just seconds left to send this thriller into OT.

Torbica wasn't nearly done to put his team ahead with a layup before Andreja Milutinovic sank the two-point Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater as Partizan racked up 23 points in a rarity to stun Ub.

Torbica had the game of his life with an insane 16 points to outplay the world's  best player Strahinja Stojacic, but Partizan ran out of gas against Miami.

Still they are inching closer to glory on the World Tour and you suspect a title won't be far off. 

 

Lausanne Sport LS are starting to become consistent

It was always baffling that Lausanne could produce a string of spectacular performances on their half-court, but rarely replicated that form overseas. 

They might finally have found consistency with the Swiss Masters now enjoying back-to-back semi-final finishes on the World Tour. Lausanne made a statement with an opening victory over Liman Huishan NE before slipping to Jeddah (KSA).

But they still made it to Day Two, where Lausanne laid the smackdown to Beijing before Jimmer Fredette - expect anyone else ? - ended their dreams of a first-ever World Tour title. 

But Lausanne are clearly firing right now.  Marco Lehmann and Carlos Martinez provided a one-two punch, while speedy Gilles Martin was non-stop entertainment.

The Swiss are now a threat every time they step on the half-court - anywhere in the world. 

 

Ub Huishnan NE are frustrated

It's now six and counting. After a record six straight Masters titles to start the season, Ub are now winless from six events on the World Tour. 

It was a different looking Ub team with 27-year-old Nenad Nerandzic making his debut.

Ub's determination to end their drought was evident and it showed with three straight tense victories, including Dejan Majstorovic being the hero in their quarter-final OT win over San Juan.

But Ub will rue letting it slip against Partizan as they again fell short. They will be looking for answers after Majstorovic turned back the clock, but superstars Strahinja Stojacic and Marko Brankovic couldn't quite find their MVP form.

'Doctor Strange' though did unleash some filthy plays that melted down social media.

 

Ub will start feeling anxious with the World Tour Final now just over a month away.

Awesome Abu Dhabi 

Abu Dhabi holds a special place in World Tour history. The glitzy UAE capital has hosted the World Tour Final three times before and also a Masters event two years ago. 

It has been the site of many famous 3x3 games, dunk contests and epic individual performances.

This edition was the latest chapter in what is a fan favorite 3x3 destination with Abu Dhabi always perfectly combining sports and entertainment to capture what the 21-point game is all about.

 

FIBA