By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda routed archrival Partizan Belgrade 84 – 63 in Game 3 of the ABA League semifinals to win the series 2-1 and advance to the Finals.
Stratos Perperoglou scored a game-high 18 points in 16:34 minutes while Ognjen Dobric added 10 points plus seven rebounds. Filip Covic also had 10 points plus six assists for Zvezda that won even easier than what the final score shows. With five minutes left to play, Red Star had been up 78 – 43 before Partizan lowered its deficit below 30.
No Partizan Belgrade player had scored in double figures until the mid of the fourth period. In the end, Vanja Marinkovic finished with 12 points and Nikola Ivanovic with 10.
With three minutes remaining for halftime, Milan Tomic’s team had established a 20-point lead (41 – 21). Partizan never managed to become competitive afterward and completely collapsed in the fourth period when Red Star turned the game into a blowout.
Crvena Zvezda will face either Cedevita Zagreb or defending champions Buducnost Voli in the Finals. The two teams are tied 1-1 and the next game will be played at Cedevita’s Sunday (7/4). The winner of the title will also compete in next season’s EuroLeague.
Photo: Crvena Zvezda via ABA League