Crvena zvezda Meridianbet storm through Podgorica to book their ticket for the 2023 Finals
Crvena zvezda Meridianbet have advanced to the 2023 AdmiralBet ABA League Finals as they won the semi-final series against Budućnost VOLI by 2-0.
(Photo: Buducnost VOLI/Filip Roganovic)
AdmiralBet ABA League Semifinals Round 2, Tuesday, 23 May 2023:
Budućnost VOLI - CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDIANBET 56:97 (26:25, 8:23, 11:29, 11:20) *0-2 in the series
Game recap: Crvena zvezda Meridianbet have advanced to the 2023 AdmiralBet ABA League Finals as they won the semi-final series against Budućnost VOLI by 2-0.
After scoring a very convincing win in Game 1 in Belgrade (93:55), the red-and-whites have once again showed that they are, at this moment, a far better team than their old rivals. Crvena zvezda Meridianbet won Game 2 in Podgorica by 97:56 to book their ticket for the Finals.
What is interesting to mention is that this was the first ever road win for Crvena zvezda Meridianbet in Podgorica in the ABA League Playoffs. The Belgrade team have lost the previous 7 games against Budućnost VOLI on the road in their Playoffs encounters, but the reigning champions have now ended that losing streak.
Crvena zvezda Meridianbet will therefore play in the AdmiralBet ABA League Finals for the 8th consecutive time, while they will have a chance to become the first ever team to win 7 regional championships.
Key moments: Budućnost VOLI had a 1-point lead after the opening 10 minutes of Game 2 – 26:25, but then Crvena zvezda Meridianbet took over full control over this match. The visitors won the 2nd quarter by 23:8 to gain a 14-point lead at halftime – 48:34, while after the break the Belgrade team opened the 3rd quarter with a 17:2 run – 65:36. At that moment it was quite clear that the away team would seize the win tonight.
Man of the match: Luka Mitrović was once again one of the best players in Crvena zvezda Meridianbet team. He finished the match with 17 points, while he scored 16 out of those 17 points in the first half.
Can’t trick the stats: While Crvena zvezda Meridianbet made 24 assists tonight, Budućnost VOLI made just 6 assists for the entire match. That tells you enough how each team played in this game.
Stats
Players on court
| BUD | Min | PtsP | RebsR | AssA | StS | FoulF | ValV | |
| 5 | Atić E. | 20:52 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | Kaba A. | 20:29 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 13 |
| 13 | Lazić A. | 07:36 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 21 | Jagodić Kuridža M. | 13:18 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 22 | Drobnjak I. | 23:21 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| CZV | Min | PtsP | RebsR | AssA | StS | FoulF | ValV | |
| 1 | Vildoza L. | 11:52 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 15 |
| 13 | Dobrić O. | 23:38 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| 20 | Ivanović N. | 17:15 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 32 | Kuzmić O. | 13:12 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 33 | Petrušev F. | 24:36 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 15 |
Last 5 actions
| Min | Score | Action |
| game finished | ||
| end of 4. quarter | ||
| 00:29 (Q4) | 56 : 97 | 22 DROBNJAK I. made free throw (1of1) |
| 00:29 (Q4) | 22 DROBNJAK I. foul on | |
| 00:29 (Q4) | PETRUŠEV F. foul (personal) | |
| 00:29 (Q4) | 55 : 97 | 22 DROBNJAK I. made 2 points (drivinglayup) |
Top players
| VALUE (INDEX) | ||||
| Kaba A. | 13 | - | 23 | Mitrović L. |
| POINTS | ||||
| Drobnjak I. | 11 | - | 17 | Mitrović L. |
| REBOUNDS | ||||
| Green II E. | 9 | - | 6 | Bentil B. |
| ASSISTS | ||||
| Jagodić Kuridža M. | 2 | - | 4 | Dobrić O. |
