By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Pedro Martinez really changed Baskonia‘s DNA as they recorded their third straight victory in the Euroleague beating Crvena Zvezda on the road 85-81. The home team is now in an unpleasant situation as this was a fifth straight loss for them after the solid 2-2 start of the season.
The Key: Pedro Martinez’s team remained calm and focus down the last stretch making sure they will leave Belgrade with a victory.
Matthias Lessort refused to give up in the last quarter as he scored 8 points in the first 5 minutes of that period. Thanks to him Zvezda was able to gain a two-point lead 75-73. Unfortunately for the home fans, their players couldn’t finish the game the right way as they didn’t have enough energy.
The Star: Tornike Shengelia was cold as ice in the crucial moments as he hit a two-point jumper that sealed the deal for Baskonia. He finished the game with 16 points and 4 boards and Johannes Voigtmann added 17 points.
The visiting squad was ready from the first minute of the match as they won the first quarter 22-17. The Spanish team used their strong defense to create easy points in transition in the first half. They built a comfortable lead after the first 20 minutes of action (47-38).
After the halftime break, Zvezda tried to bounce back with Ognjen Dobric’s two steals and quick five points. The home squad was able to cut the lead to 52-48. Just when it seemed that Baskonia was losing the advantage, they scored back to back triples making a double-digit lead 64-54. Zvezda managed to get the lead in the final quarter, but it was not enough.
Lessort had a game-high with 19 points but his performance wasn’t enough for Zvezda.