Crvena Zvezda began the new EuroLeague season with a win on their home court, defeating Asvel by of 94:73.
Dusko Ivanovic’s team had to cope without Dejan Davidovac, Yago dos Santos, Joel Bolomboy, and Nemanja Bjelica.
Crvena Zvezda opened the game with exceptional three-point shooting percentages (6/6), giving them an early double-digit lead (22:12). The visitors managed to avoid a first-quarter disaster mainly thanks to Joffrey Lauvergne, who scored eight points. The fact that the team from Belgrade looked impressive offensively in the first 10 minutes is best illustrated by their 29 points (29:18).
The second quarter started at a slower pace until the red-and-whites made a 5-0 run after a timeout called by Dusko Ivanovic. Rokas Giedraitis had his shooting night, contributing to the home team’s halftime lead of 52-21. Crvena Zvezda ended the first half with 12 made three-pointers, delighting all the fans in attendance at the Stark Arena.
Parker’s team spent most of the third quarter trailing by 15 to 20 points, and the main reason the home team didn’t seal the victory during that period was Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. The third quarter ended with a 5-0 run by the visiting team, giving Asvel a glimmer of hope for a comeback (69:55).
Asvel didn’t give up in the fourth quarter; in fact, Parker’s players put on a decent performance. However, there simply wasn’t enough time or space for a different outcome. The red-and-whites simply sealed the well-deserved victory with ease.
The top scorer for Crvena Zvezda was Shabazz Napier with 21 points, while Lauvergne led Asvel with 18 points.
The team from Belgrade equaled their EuroLeague record with 17 made three-pointers out of 34 attempts (17-34).
In the next round, Crvena Zvezda will visit Zalgiris, while Asvel will host Partizan at their home court.
CRVENA ZVEZDA – ASVEL 94:73 (29:18, 23:13, 17:24, 25:18)
Arena: Stark arena
Referees: Fernando Rocha, Carmelo Paternicio, Piotr Pastusiak
Crvena zvezda: Lazarevic, Teodosic 3, Hanga 7, Mitrovic 9, Lazic 6, Simonovic 14, Napier 21, Tobey, Ilic 5, Nedovic 12, Giedraitis 17, Kuzmic.
Asvel: Scott 13, Lee 7, Lauvergne 18, Luwawu-Cabbarrot 13, Dallo, Jackson, De Colo 13, Egbunu 7, Fall, Ndiaye, Noam, Jackson 2