Zvezda win the thriller in Podgorica
Crvena zvezda Meridianbet prevailed over Budućnost VOLI in this week's NLB Match of the Round.
(Photo: Buducnost VOLI/Filip Roganovic)
2024/25 AdmiralBet ABA League Round 5, Monday, 21 October 2024:
Budućnost VOLI - CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDIANBET 73:75 (17:16, 20:17, 21:19, 15:23)
Game recap: Crvena zvezda Meridianbet are coming back from Podgorica with HUGE road win in their pockets. The reigning champions triumphed against their old rivals after a dramatic ending in which details decided the winner.
The absolute hero of the game today was Nemanja Nedović, who once again showed that he is playing in exceptional form at the start of the new season. Nedović scored 24 points today, including 6 three-pointers, while it is important to say that all of his 6 three-pointers came in the 2nd half.
Crvena zvezda Meridianbet have therefore become the first team to beat Budućnost VOLI in the ongoing season. The Belgrade giant currently has the overall score of 3-2, while the Podgorica side has the overall score of 4-1.
Key moments: After Miloš Teodosić scored both free throws to put Crvena zvezda Meridianbet back in front – 74:73, with 21 seconds remaining on the game clock, Budućnost VOLI called for a time out. The home team decided to put the ball into the hands of their star point guard McKinley Wright IV, which was a logical choice considering that he scored 8 consecutive points for his team before that.
McKinley Wright IV went for a drive through Crvena zvezda Meridianbet defense, however his lay-up was not good! The ball did not go through the basket and the visitors secured the defensive rebound. In the remaining time, Rokas Giedraitis made 1 out of 2 free throws just to make the final score – 75:73 for Crvena zvezda Meridianbet.
Man of the match: Zvezda's head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos said after the game: „Nemanja Nedović made the difference today.” And we have to agree! Crvena zvezda Meridianbet sharp shooter was simply brilliant in this game, scoring some huge buckets for his team in the 2nd half.
Can’t trick the stats: At the end of the day, one single shot decided the winner. After scoring four consecutive 2-pointers, Budućnost VOLI point guard McKinley Wright IV missed the key lay-up and Crvena zvezda Meridianbet seized the win.
Stats
Players on court
| BUD | Min | PtsP | RebsR | AssA | StS | FoulF | ValV | |
| 1 | Sulaimon R. | 24:30 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -10 |
| 3 | Magee F. | 23:21 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 11 | Ferrell Jr K. | 12:21 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 25 | Wright IV M. | 29:04 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| 34 | Kamenjaš K. | 22:45 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| CZV | Min | PtsP | RebsR | AssA | StS | FoulF | ValV | |
| 0 | Miller-McIntyre C. | 34:39 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 20 |
| 4 | Teodosić M. | 12:54 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| 12 | Kalinić N. | 35:03 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| 31 | Giedraitis R. | 15:45 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 36 | Nedović N. | 27:32 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 29 |
Last 5 actions
| Min | Score | Action |
| game finished | ||
| end of 4. quarter | ||
| 00:01 (Q4) | 73 : 75 | 31 GIEDRAITIS R. made free throw (2 of 2) |
| 00:01 (Q4) | 31 GIEDRAITIS R. missed free throw (1 of 2) | |
| 00:01 (Q4) | 36 NEDOVIĆ N. substitution (in) | |
| 00:01 (Q4) | 4 TEODOSIĆ M. substitution (in) |
|
Top players
| VALUE (INDEX) | ||||
| Wright IV M. | 23 | - | 29 | Nedović N. |
| POINTS | ||||
| Wright IV M. | 20 | - | 24 | Nedović N. |
| REBOUNDS | ||||
| Kamenjaš K. | 11 | - | 7 | Miller-McIntyre C. |
| ASSISTS | ||||
| Wright IV M. | 7 | - | 7 | Miller-McIntyre C. |
