Zvezda leave no room to Partizan in Game 1 of ABA League Finals / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Dragana Stjepanovic Credit Dragana Stjepanovic

Crvena Zvezda prevailed 90-76 (19-23, 23-16, 24-19, 24-18) over Partizan NIS in the Game 1 of the AdmiralBet ABA League Finals.

Points this season

45%73,8Points made:73,8Accuracy:45,4%Place in standings:15Record max:98Record min:57Best scorer:Nikola KalinicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The reigning champions have made the first step towards defending their title and need two more wins in the series in order to do so. Game 2 will be once again held at the Aleksandar Nikolic Sports Hall on Sunday, while afterwards the series will move in front of the Partizan NIS crowd.

The team coached by Dejan Radonjic had five players in double digits, with Nikola Ivanovic leading the pack with 16 and Luka Mitrovic-Nate Wolters producing 14 apiece.

Partizan saw Kevin Punter keep them in the game for the most part, but the guests dished out only 8 assists in contrast to the hosts' 24.

Yam Madar scored six points in the first quarter to give Partizan an early 23-19 lead that didn't last long. Zvezda reacted in the second quarter and took the upper hand in the game, as Dejan Davidovac and Nate Wolters provided the necessary firepower.

The hosts continued in the same vein, knocking down three-point shots with great precision (11/22), at a time when Zeljko Obradovic's squad was running on empty.

However, the turning point occurred at the start of the second half, when the hosts made an 8-0 run right at the beginning to get a double-digit lead (50-39) with 2 minutes into the second half.

Crvena Zvezda: Nikola Ivanovic 16 (4/10 FG, 5/6 FT, 5 AST), Ognjen Dobric 14 (4/5 3PT SHOTS, 4 REB), Luka Mitrovic 14 (6/11 FG, 2/2 FT), Nate Wolters 11 (5/7 FG), Dejan Davidovac 10 (5 REB).

Partizan: Kevin Punter 15 (4/10 FG, 5/5 FT, 3 AST), Zach Le Day 11 (4/7 FG), Aleksa Avramovic 10 (5 REB, 4 AST), Dallas Moore 10, Yam Madar 8.

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