Cedevita Olimpija prevailed over Cibona

ABA League Round 13, Sunday, 29.12.2019:

Cibona - CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA 82:84 (17:26, 21:13, 24:22, 20:23)

PHOTO GALLERY

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game recap: Ljubljana fans have another reason to celebrate besides the winter fest period, as their favourites have gave them a present for the end of the year 2019, by beating Cibona on the road in Zagreb and for the second time this season. The Dragons have therefore became the first team this season in the ABA League with 10 triumphs on their record. This will keep them at the top of the standings after 13 rounds. On the other side, Cibona will continue their season with 4 triumphs on their record, in the lower half of the standings.

Key moments: Even though both sides have been in front a couple of times during the game, it remained anyone’s match until the final moments. With a bit more than half a minute remaining on the clock, Cibona were still up by 3 points and it seemed like the game is heading their way. However, that’s when the late comeback began for the guests. Mikael Hopkins first scored 2 free throws for the Dragons to get them to only 1-point deficit (82:81) with only 35 seconds left in the game. Shane Gibson missed on the other end and Cedevita Olimpija went on the fast break, which was concluded with a foul by the hosts on Jaka Blažič’s three-point shot and the latter scored all three points, to put his team up 84:82 with 6 minutes on the game clock. When Filip Bundović missed twice in the final moments it became clear that this would also be the final score of the game.

Man of the match: Once again, Jaka Blažič had a strong, captain-like performance, as he had 14 points, 5 rebounds, just as many assists, 1 block and a game-high valuation of 18. He is our man of the match!

Can’t trick the stats: Cedevita Olimpija have been shooting 3-pointers 48% (10/21) and Cibona only 24% (6/25). That’s what eventually turned out crucial for them to be able to win the match.