Sven Smajlagić scores the game-winner to hand Cibona an important win in Čačak

AdrmiralBet ABA League Round 18, Monday, 6 February:

Borac Mozzart - CIBONA 83:84 (27:21, 16:17, 15:23, 25:23)

PHOTO GALLERY

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game recap: In the last game of the AdmiralBet ABA League Round 18, Cibona have prevailed over Borac Mozzart on the road in Čačak after a Hitchcock-like ending! It’s an extremely important triumph for the Zagreb squad, that have come another step closer to securing a Playoffs spot, as they are now on a 7:11 record, just like Mega MIS and Split on the edge of the Playoffs Zone. This way, Cibona have also moved away from Borac Mozzart, that are now on a 4:14 record, in the danger zone near the bottom of the standings. The Čačak squad, for which only 7 players stepped on court in this game due to a delicate health situation, are placed in the 13th place in the standings after 18 rounds.

Key moments: It have been Borac Mozzart, that have started the game in a better fashion and were up by 12 points (39:27), with 4 minutes to go in the second quarter. However, the visiting side bounced back in the second half and when Krešimir Radovčić scored a three-pointer in the 24th minute of the game, Cibona got into the lead for the first time in the game (49:50). The game remained dramatic all until the end, when eventually Cibosi prevailed in a close game. 

Cibona entered the final minute with a 2-point advantage, but Diante Baldwin put Borac Mozzart in front at the opening of the last minute with a triple (78:77). With 50 seconds to go, Borna Kapusta once more put Cibona in front with 4 successfully executed free throws in the next 2 offensive possessions (78:81). 16 seconds remained until the end just when it seemed like Borac Mozzart would not be able to turn the game upside-down in a free throw finish, Miloš Glišić stepped up with 3 seconds left in a game and hit an umbelievable three-point shot for the lead of his team (83:82). 

The entire hall celebrated already, but Sven Smajlagić had other plans. Cold as ice, he fired from the mid-range in the final second and scored an invaluable game-winner for Cibona. What a finish!

Man of the match: Borna Kapusta has been the driving force for Cibona in this game, as he led them towards the win with 22 points, 12 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and a valuation of 27 in 34 minutes spent on court. He is our man of the match!

Can’t trick the stats: Cibona had 41 rebounds and Borac Mozzart only 33 and that’s what helped the Zagreb squad to grab a big road win this time.