Crvena Zvezda take down Maccabi, extend winning streak to four / News - Basketnews.com

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

Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (11-12) keep rolling, winning their fourth straight contest at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by taking down the visiting Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (11-11) 84-77 (24-10, 18-29, 23-21, 19-17).

Player of the Game EFF 22 Nikola Kalinic Points 15 Accuracy 6-11 Rebounds 5 Assists 5

After losing their advantage at the end of the third, Zvezda went on a 13-0 run to gain a double-digit lead (72-60). Maccabi retaliated with a 10-2 spurt of their own to come within four (70-74).

However, Nikola Kalinic and company finished the game well, helping the hosts come away with a seven-point victory (84-77).

Kalinic led Crvena Zvezda with 15 points (5/7 2PT, 1/4 3PT, 2/3 FT), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, and 22 PIR.

"I am proud of my team and the whole staff. We are back in the mix for the playoffs. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. We played all the games that were rescheduled because of COVID. We could feel the energy in the arena. It's great to be a Red Star player and fan at these moments. We kept believing, we played hard and we got the result."

Austin Hollins started the game hot for Zvezda, but suffered an ankle injury in the third period and didn't return. He contributed 11 points and 3 rebounds and 13.5 minutes.

On the opposing side, James Nunnaly was the high-scorer for Maccabi, ending with 24 points (3/4 2PT, 4/9 3PT, 6/6 FT), 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, and 31 PIR

Nikola Ivanovic's 3-pointer gave Crvena Zvezda the early lead (17-6). The hosts' advantage increased to 14 points as the first quarter concluded (24-10).

At the halfway mark of the second period, Ognjen Kuzmic helped Zvezda gain their largest lead (35-19). However, James Nunnally scored 11 points in the quarter, Scottie Wilbekin added 10, and Maccabi cut their deficit to three, going into halftime (39-42).

Derrick Williams tied the game at 42 with a 3-pointer to start the second half, but Zvezda responded with three consecutive threes, Kuzmic added a layup, and Zvezda's advantage grew to 11 (53-42). Maccabi responded with an 18-6 run to regain the lead (60-59), but Zvezda finished the quarter with six unanswered points (65-60).

"One more big win for us," Crvena Zvezda's coach Dejan Radonjic said post-game. "Tough game definitely. The schedule was really tough for all of us. The second half was good things on both ends. Some mistakes, but more or less everything was in our hands."

Crvena Zvezda: Nikola Kalinic 15 (5 REB, 5 AST), Nate Wolters 12, Austin Hollins 11, Ognjen Dobric 10 (5 REB), Ognjen Kuzmic 8 (8 REB).

Maccabi: James Nunnally 24, Scottie Wilbekin 14, Derrick Williams 13, Ante Zizic 10 (6 REB).

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