By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a win-or-go-home contest, Crvena Zvezda mts never trailed on the way to the 88-78 victory versus Cedevita Olimpija. The team coached by Dejan Radonjic won the AdmiralBet ABA League Semifinals best-of-three series, 2-1, on Monday night.
Nikola Kalinic paved the way scoring 15 points and Nikola Ivanovic recorded all of his 11 points in the second half of Game 3. Ognjen Kuzmic posted a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Ognjen Dobric added ten more points for the top-seeded team in the ABA League Playoffs bracket.
For the fourth-seeded team based in Ljubljana, Yogi Ferrell poured a game-high 25 points, including 14 in the second half. Zoran Dragic scored 21 points but was held to five points after the break as the hosts recovered the double-digit lead.
Similar to Crvena Zvezda, surviving a do-or-die Game 3, second-seeded Partizan NIS eliminated third-seeded Buducnost VOLI to advance to the best-of-five Finals on Sunday. Game 1 between the Belgrade rivals is scheduled to be held Friday. A couple of days later follows Game 2. Game 3 is set for next Wednesday. If necessary, Game 4 will take place on Friday, 3 June, and Game 5 on Monday, 6 June.
The upcoming matchup will be the second meeting of Crvena Zvezda and Partizan in the ABA Finals. Back in 2013, Partizan notched the last of the league-high six titles behind a 71-63 victory in the championship game of the Final Four held in Laktasi, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Crvena Zvezda capturing the title in five of the next six completed seasons of the regional league will be looking to match its rival’s championship tally via the second direct collision.
Photo Credit: ABA-liga.com