Crvena Zvezda defeated Buducnost 95-86 on their home court in the regional ABA league’s sixth round.
With the desire to maintain their winning momentum, the red and whites intended to enter the match aggressively, but this didn’t happen at the start of the showdown. The visitors from Podgorica had a better start, but by the end of the first quarter, the hosts had turned the tide and started to dictate the course of the game. By the end of the first half, Crvena Zvezda had elevated their level of play, scoring 32 points in the second quarter and going into halftime with an 11-point lead.
The third quarter brought a lot of fluctuations in the home team’s performance – from a 17-point lead to Buducnost narrowing the gap to just three points. However, Milos Teodosic’s three-pointer pulled the situation back in their favor, giving his team an extra boost to re-establish a double-digit lead. Towards the end, the visiting team attempted a comeback, but Nemanja Nedovic prevented that with a decisive three-pointer, extending the lead to seven points with a minute left. After that, there was no coming back for the guests.
The top scorers for the winners were Mike Tobey with 23 points, and Nedovic added 16. On the other side, the most notable performers were Wright McKinley and Marvin Jones, each contributing 17 points.
In the next round, Crvena zvezda will visit Zadar, while Buducnost will host Split.
Crvena Zvezda got off to a slower start in the game
Crvena Zvezda traditionally struggled in recent matches against Buducnost, making the Podgorica team wary of this encounter. This was another opportunity for the red and whites to continue their good form after defeating Bayern. It didn’t seem like the home team would find it so easy this time since the visiting side took an early 13-6 lead. However, a time-out called by Ioannis Sfairopoulos proved effective. Led by Mike Tobey, Crvena Zvezda turned the game around and took control.
In the second quarter, the home team had a true offensive outburst. Milos Teodosic and Yago dos Santos paved the way for another surge by the Belgrade team, reaching a double-digit lead for the first time after Tobey’s new basket. The home side managed to maintain that advantage with some fluctuations and went into halftime with a comfortable 53-42 lead, eagerly awaiting the second half.
Nedovic’s three-pointer halts the opponent’s rally
Such a finish to the first half boosted the confidence of the red and whites, who started the third quarter energetically. Gradually, their lead expanded to +17, thanks to Shabazz Napier’s points. However, the visitors mounted a significant comeback, narrowing the gap to just three points, following a 19-5 run, with Brandon Paul taking responsibility. To ease the situation for Crvena zvezda, Teodosic hit a three-pointer, giving the home team a six-point advantage heading into the final 10 minutes.
Buducnost didn’t give up until the end, but Crvena Zvezda had an answer ready every time the opponent threatened. However, the Podgorica team came dangerously close to closing the gap in the final moments. Yoan Makoundu even had a chance to reduce the deficit to just three points with a minute and a half left, but he missed a free throw. On the other end, Nemanja Nedovic hit a three-pointer to secure a seven-point lead and seal the game.
CRVENA ZVEZDA – BUDUCNOST 95:86 (21:18, 32:24, 16:21, 26:23)
Venue: “Stark arena”, Beograd; Referees: Javor, Petek, Kardum.
Crvena zvezda: Lazarevic 1, Teodosic 10, Hanga, Davidovac 9, Mitrovic 4, Napier 14, Tobey 23, Bolomboy 4, Ilić, Nedovic 16, Giedraitis 7, Dos Santos 7.
Budućnost: Ilić, Magee 13, Ross 6, Slavkovic, Makoundu 5, Grbovic, Jones 17, Jagodic-Kuridza 2, Williams 10, Wright 17, Popovic 2, Paul 14.