Crvena Zvezda easily secured their second consecutive win in the regional competition, as they outplayed Cedevita Olimpija by 94-51 in the ABA League.
In this game, the Red and Whites were without the assistance of injured Nemanja Bjelica, Milos Teodosic, and Ognjen Kuzmic, who were resting. Edo Muric of Ljubljana couldn’t participate due to a serious injury.
The home team started the game somewhat slowly as a unit, but this did not apply to Rokas Giedraitis. The Lithuanian was precise from all positions and set the tone for his team’s offense, which also looked solid defensively. Gradually, the offense functioned at its best, led by Nemanja Nedovic and Shabazz Napier, allowing Zvezda to establish a 20-point lead at the end of the second quarter and eventually a 25-point lead before halftime.
What followed was not a convincing performance by the hosts but a complete show of strength, resulting in a 42-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. This was an unprecedented difference between these two teams. Despite the significant advantage, Dusko Ivanovic aimed to maintain maximum concentration, and his team continued to extend their lead, eventually winning by a staggering 50 points in a high-tempo match.
The top scorers for the winners were Nedovic and Napier with 17 and 15 points, respectively. Amadou Sow led the guests with 19 points.
The Belgrade team now faces a matchup against Zalgiris in the EuroLeague, while Cedevita Olimpija will play against Joventut in the EuroCup.
CRVENA ZVEZDA – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA 94:51 (19:11, 31:14, 27:8, 17:18)
Arena: “Stark arena”, Belgrade;
Sudije: Radojkovic, Kardum, Hordov.
Crvena Zvezda: Hanga 3 (7as), Davidovac 5, Mitrovic 4, Lazic 3, Simonovic 4, Napier 15, Tobey 13, Bolomboy 9, Ilic 5, Nedovic 17, Giedraitis 8, Dos Santos 8.
Cedevita Olimpija: Stewart 2, Armand, Sow 19, Radicevic 4, Cobbs 8, Glas, Blazic 2, Matkovic 7, Jones 4 (10sk), Scuka 5, Klobucar, Shashkov