Crvena Zvezda sweep Partizan to win the ABA League / News - Basketnews.com

Crvena Zvezda controlled the game throughout despite multiple attempts by Partizan to take over the match and completed the first sweep in the ABA League since the 2016-17 season.

Credit: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade completed the first sweep in the ABA League in seven seasons, defeating Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 82-76 (20-18, 22-20, 17-14, 23-24) in the famous Belgrade Arena to win the club's seventh title.

2-pointers this season

59%22,1Points made:22,1Accuracy:58,5%Place in standings:2Record max:30Record min:13Most made 2FGs:Kevin PunterTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

This win also guaranteed Crvena Zvezda a spot in the next year's EuroLeague. Yago dos Santos was named the Finals MVP.

This is the second time this season Crvena Zvezda beat Partizan for a title, as the red-and-whites defeated their eternal rivals in the Radivoj Korac Cup final in February.

Crvena Zvezda started the game better, building themselves a quick 7-point lead in the first quarter (16-9). The red-and-whites continued leading throughout the entire first half, but the teams were separated by just four points after the first 20 minutes of play.

The match was temporarily stopped in the third quarter after insults directed at Crvena Zvezda's president, Nebojsa Covic. The Arena announcer asked the fans not to throw anything on the court.

Crvena Zvezda entered the last quarter holding a 7-point lead but Partizan cut the deficit to just two points with over five minutes to go. However, Milos Teodosic hit a clutch triple, and Crvena Zvezda regained control of the match.

Aleksa Avramovic hit a triple with 44 seconds left until the end of the quarter to cut the deficit to three, forcing Crvena Zvezda's head coach, Ioannis Sfairopoulos, to take a timeout.

Yago dos Santos' three-pointer was no good, and Partizan got the rebound. While Jaleen Smith converted just one free throw, the fouling game did not save Partizan, and Crvena Zvezda captured the ABA League trophy.

Luka Mitrovic shined on the guests' roster with 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 23 PIR. Rokas Giedraitis added 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting, while Dejan Davidovac contributed with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 18 PIR.

Aleksa Avramovic was the top scorer on Partizan's roster with 17 points on 5-for-11 shooting.

Partizan played without one of their main players, James Nunnally, following a fight between him and Crvena Zvezda's Stefan Lazarevic after morning practice. Lazarevic missed Game 3 as well.

This is the first sweep in the ABA League Finals since the 2016-17 season when Crvena Zvezda won the title with a 3-0 series win against Cedevita.

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