By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Staying ahead for the vast majority of the game, Crvena Zvezda beat Valencia 92-73 in the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall to keep hoping for a playoff spot in the next EuroLeague Regular Season games.
Facundo Campazzo stole the show against the Spanish side, ending the game with 15 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals while providing some magic highlights. His fellow countryman and backcourt teammate Luca Vildoza scored 9 with 7 assists as well.
“This win is very important because we didn’t have any other options. It’s not on our hands. We will fight until the end. Winning today means a lot to us ahead of the trip to ASVEL”, the former Real Madrid point guard said after the game.
Dominating under the basket against Jasiel Rivero and the rest of Valencia‘s big men, Filip Petrusev went close to a double-double with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Ognjen Dobric struggled from beyond the arc with 2/7 but added 16 points.
“A very good game for patience and defense. Valencia is big talented in offense, they are very good on transition and shooting from outside”, Dusko Ivanovic commented after the victory.
Jonah Radebaugh, who started the game next to Shannon Evans – who played only 8 seconds -, ended with a EuroLeague career-high of 14 points. Jared Harper and Victor Claver followed, combining for 22.
Chris Jones, who recently extended his contract with the Spanish side until 2026, had 12 points and 5 assists while being perfect at the charity stripe (4/4).
“Kyle Alexander is important for us and we missed him, we lost some games where we had control: this is the result. Campazzo is a really good player, he controlled the rhythm today, and he’s one of the best point guards in the EuroLeague”, Alex Mumbru said in the post-game press conference.
A fourth-quarter triumph without Nedovic
The red-and-white Serbian team exploded in the fourth quarter (23-11), and dominated the game in the paint, shooting 23/35 from two. Valencia suffered its 6th loss in the last seven games despite high percentages from three (42.3%) and at the line (93.3%).
Nemanja Nedovic wasn’t part of the game due to a virus, while coach Dusko Ivanovic sidelined both Branko Lazic and Miroslav Raduljica. Alex Mumbru didn’t have Klemen Prepelic, who will miss four weeks due to a leg injury, Sam Van Rossom, who is out indefinitely, Millan Jimenez, and Kyle Alexander.
“We will fight until the end”
Zvezda’s playoff chances are practically not existent, but Facundo Campazzo doesn’t give up if there’s still hope: “We need every win from now until the end of the season. This win is very important because we didn’t have any other options and [reaching the playoffs] is not in our hands. We will fight until the end, and winning today means a lot to us ahead of the trip to ASVEL. We were smart in every possession as we shared the ball and played for the guy who was on fire at a particular moment. We also took advantage of playing here in front of our fans. That’s our extra energy.”
In Round 32, both Crvena Zvezda and Valencia will need a win to keep praying for the playoffs. The former will travel to Lyon to face ASVEL on March 31 at 21:00 CET, while the Spanish team will be on the road again to overcome a contender like Zalgiris Kaunas on the same day at 19:00 CET.
PHOTO CREDIT: KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet