By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The lead grew over ten points in the first quarter and neared 40 points in the fourth quarter as Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet completed the task of defeating Buducnost VOLI, 93-55, in Game 1 of the best-of-three series.
Launching action in the Semifinals of the AdmiralBet ABA League Playoffs, Luka Mitrovic stood out with an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double. Facundo Campazzo chipped in 11 points, six assists, three rebounds, and three steals over 19 minutes. Three more players of Dusko Ivanovic scored in double-digits, including Filip Petrusev recording a game-high 17 points. All 12 available players got on the board, but John Holland, Stefan Lazarevic, Miroslav Raduljica, and Dalibor Ilic did not suit up.
For the visitors at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, Erick Green with a team-high 13 points was the lone double-digit scorer. Adding yet another country to the long career list, the Virginia Tech product made his way to the Montenegrin club last December.
Game 2 follows in Moraca Sports Center on Tuesday, 23 May. Game 3, if necessary, will return both sides to Belgrade in a win-or-go-home situation for a spot in the champion-crowning best-of-five series.
Elsewhere in the ABA League Playoffs, top-seeded Partizan Mozzart Bet will start the Quarterfinals best-of-three series against SC Derby tomorrow, Monday. Cedevita Olimpija will face the Belgrade or Podgorica outfit in the Semifinals.
Coming out of the continental league, Crvena Zvezda will then switch to domestic competition with crosstown rival Partizan missing the deadline to register players, thus the opportunity to compete for the Serbian League championship.
Photo Credit: ABA-Liga.com