By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda is still missing Milos Teodosic, but the Serbs don’t lack at heart, especially at home. The final score against Baskonia was 78-71 with Zvezda bouncing back after losing to Split for the Adriatic League for a 2-0 start in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Isaiah Canaan with 19 points was the top scorer of the winning side, closing the game the right way. Joel Bolomboy added 15 points and eight rebounds for a key performance, while Nikola Kalinic had 12.
“The fans give me a lot of energy”, said Canaan who feels right at home in Belgrade in no time and Bolomboy added: “I wouldn’t say it was a perfect night, there are a lot of areas we can improve. Myself, I am glad I was able to play the way I know I can play”.
Zvezda finished the night with 10/22 threes, a great percentage compared to just 3/18 for Baskonia.
Chima Moneke with 19 points was the leading scorer of the guests, Donta Hall added 13 points and seven rebounds, however, no other player scored in double digits from the losing side.
Zvezda controlling things at home
Baskonia started the game with a 4-0 run and never led after that. Zvezda had an early eight-point advantage (20-12), the score was 25-20 at the end of the first period and the lead jumped to 12 (42-30) before the end of the first half.
The two teams returned to the court for the third period with Zvezda up by eight (42-34). The offensive crescendo from the home side continued and stretched the lead to 14 (54-40) and the quarter ended with the score being 59-49 for the Serbs and Baskonia having 2/12 threes up to this point.
The last period started with a 6-0 run by the hosts (65-59) but the game was not over. Baskonia reacted with their own 13-1 run (66-62), however, the comeback was never completed.
Two big blocks, by Kalinic and Bolomboy didn’t let Baskonia come closer, Bolomboy and Canaan took over in the offense and when Baskonia trimmed the lead to five (71-66), Kalinic answered back with a three (74-66).
Photo credit: EuroLeague