Stellar Kalinic and Zvezda slip by Anadolu Efes to open doors for Maccabi / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

It was the last game of the season for Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (12-16), but not the last game of the season in Belgrade, as the city gears up to host next month's EuroLeague Final Four.

Player of the Game EFF 25 Nikola Kalinic Points 16 Accuracy 7-13 Rebounds 10 Assists 8

The Red Star managed to finish their campaign on a high note, beating visitingAnadolu Efes Istanbul (16-12) 93-85 (21-29, 19-11, 25-22, 28-23).

With this win, Zvezda helped Maccabi Tel Aviv, which can overtake Efes and take the 5th spot in the standings, if the Israeli champs prevail over Fenerbache next week.

After an even first half (40-40), Nikola Kalinic and Ognjen Dobric-led Zvezda ran away from their opponents by 10 points (61-51), after a 7-0 run, in the third quarter. Though, Efes responded quickly with an 8-0 push to cut their deficit to 2 points (59-61). Both squads were separated by 3 (65-62) before the last 10 minutes of the match.

The game outcome was decided in the final minutes of the fourth tally. Nate Wolters and Nikola Kalinic organized a crucial 7-0 spurt with 50 seconds to go to give their team a 5-point lead (89-84).

Shane Larkin managed to convert only one shot from the line on the other end (85-89), while Nikola Kalinic's two-pointers sealed the deal for the Serbians.

Kalinic was outstanding for Zvezda, registering a double-double with 16 points (7/8 2PT, 0/5 3PT, 2/2 FT), 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, and 25 PIR.

Shane Larkin shone on the other side, accumulating 16 points (2/3 2PT, 3/5 3PT, 3/5 FT), 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 9 drawn fouls, and 27 PIR.

Zvezda: Nikola Kalinic 16 (10 REB, 8 AST), Ognjen Dobric 15, Nate Wolters 15, Luka Mitrovic 11, Dejan Davidovac 10.

Anadolu Efes: Shane Larkin 16 (6 AST), Bryant Dunston 14, Chris Singleton 13 (8 REB), James Anderson 12.

Highlights

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