Crvena zvezda’s basketball team recorded a victory in the 11th round of the EuroLeague against the current vice-champion of Europe, Monaco, 91:79.
Before this double round, Crvena zvezda was in excellent spirits. Seven consecutive wins had been recorded in the continental competition. But after Dubai, everything changed.
Not only was the big streak broken, but the red-whites were left without Chima Moneke and Ebuka Izundu. This means the injury list has grown to include two more extremely important players, and it already consisted of Tyson Carter, Devonte Graham, Joel Bolomboy, Isaiah Canaan, Hasiel Rivero, Joel Bolomboy, and Jordan Nwora, for whom there had been a small hope he could return precisely against Monaco.
However, Saša Obradović did not complain; he prepared the team for battle and heavy work. And the red-whites responded to that challenge in the best possible way, achieving a major victory, perhaps the biggest so far in this year’s EuroLeague.
Monaco started better, leading 5:2, 7:4. But then Zvezda overturned the result to 10:7 with three-pointers by Ojeleye and Dobrić. Still, Monaco quickly halted that surge, and the entire first quarter was played basket for basket.
Monaco ended the first quarter with a three-pointer and then opened the second with four more points, taking a 7–0 run to lead 29:23. Zvezda had major problems on offense at that point. Not so much in creation but in finishing, as the ball was literally rolling out of the hoop.
The guests took advantage and, four minutes before halftime, reached a big +9 – 37:28. Then Zvezda began cutting the deficit with what worked best – three-pointers. First Miller-McIntyre and Dobrić scored, and the run continued afterwards. Semi Ojeleye capped it by hitting one of two free throws for 37:37.
Monaco broke the run with a 2+1 play. But Miller-McIntyre immediately answered with a three-pointer for another tie – 40:40. Still, the end of the second quarter belonged to Monaco. The guests scored six points, Zvezda only two through Butler, and at halftime it was 46:42 for Monaco.
The third quarter began in a shooting rhythm. Ognjen Dobrić led the way, and with a three-pointer he brought another comeback – 59:57. However, the main theme of the third period was defense. Zvezda conceded fewer than 20 points for the first time in the game and won the quarter 23:18, with Dobrić scoring an impressive 12 points in that stretch, giving Zvezda a 65:64 lead heading into the final period.
The last quarter began brilliantly with a Butler three-pointer for 68:64. But then the heavy work began. Neither team was scoring easily.
In the first three minutes of the final quarter, only eight points were scored in total, with Zvezda holding a minimal lead – 69:68.
A major problem for Crvena zvezda were free throws. By that time they were shooting 9/20, only 45%. But unbelievably, they were shooting three-pointers at 11/15, an astonishing 73%. And with another one from Butler, they went up again by +4 – 72:68. Then he hit another free throw, giving Zvezda its biggest lead so far – 73:68, with six and a half minutes left.
The red-whites wavered a little, Monaco took advantage, made a 7–1 run, and four and a half minutes before the end regained the lead – 75:74. But Zvezda showed it was ready for the grind. To Monaco’s lead, Zvezda responded with aggression. Kalinić and Dobrić dug in, and then Butler appeared, taking responsibility and delivering a big 80:75 with 2:44 remaining.
Then another strong defensive stand and another Butler creation. An assist to Ojeleye and, with a little more than two minutes left, Zvezda’s biggest lead – 82:75. James drew free throws and made both for 82:77. But Dobrić responded with two of his own. Then two great defensive possessions, Butler scored again, reached 20 points, and brought Zvezda a huge 86:77 lead with 45 seconds left.
James scored quickly, giving Monaco faint hope. But after Obradović’s timeout, Zvezda executed the play perfectly, and the hero of the game, Ognjen Dobrić, sealed the big victory with two more free throws.
MORE TOPICS:
“A MAN WHO TOUCHED HUMAN HEARTS”: Đoković revealed what he would like to be written on his monument!
BOJOVIĆ RELEASED ON BAIL: The policeman arrested in Chicago is awaiting a decision on deportation!
Source: SportKlub; Foto: ATA Images