By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Starting the AdmiralBet ABA League Finals, Crvena Zvezda mts dropped Partizan NIS, 90-76, Friday.
Nikola Ivanovic scored a game-high 18 points and additionally dished out five assists in Game 1 of the best-of-five series featuring the Belgrade giants. Ognjen Dobric and Luka Mitrovic threw in 14 points each. Nate Wolters with 11 points and Dejan Davidovac with ten points completed the double-digit scoring field for the team coached by Dejan Radonjic.
The losing side, coached by legendary Zeljko Obradovic led for most of the first half but failed to generate an advantage greater than seven points. After falling behind 42-39 at the break, Crvena Zvezda enjoyed an excellent start to the second half, produced the first double-digit cushion of the derby, and confidently held on the rest of the way.
Facing his former team once more, Kevin Punter recorded a team-high 15 points in the losing effort. Dallas Moore had 12 points, Zach LeDay finished with 11 points, and Aleksa Avramovic put in ten more points in the second direct battle of Partizan and Crvena Zvezda for the championship of the regional league.
Game 2 will be held Sunday and Game 3 Wednesday. If necessary, Game 4 will take place Friday. Potentially knotted at two wins apiece, the Belgrade rivals can meet in a deciding Game 5 on Monday, 6 June.
Both sides were coming off wins in a do-or-die situation. Crvena Zvezda knocked out Cedevita Olimpija and Partizan moved past Buducnost VOLI by prevailing in Game 3 of the Semifinals best-of-three series.
Photo Credit: ABA-Liga.com