Crvena zvezda Meridianbet win the thrilling derby vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet

2024/25 AdmiralBet ABA League Round 13, Monday, 23 December 2024:

CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDIANBET - Partizan Mozzart Bet 89:84 (23:26, 27:25, 23:21, 16:12)

PHOTO GALLERY

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game recap: The red-and-white part of Belgrade will be celebrating this night as Crvena zvezda Meridianbet defeated Partizan Mozzart Bet in a thrilling derby.

In their first AdmiralBet ABA League clash of the season, the red-and-whites prevailed over their arch rivals in a dramatic finish in which Nikola Kalinić and Joel Bolomboy played key roles for the home side. Kalinić and Bolomboy combined for 6 points in the final minute of the game to win the match for Crvena zvezda Meridianbet.

Now the big Belgrade rivals are all tied on the 2024/25 AdmiralBet ABA League standings as both teams have the overall score of 11-2. Crvena zvezda Meridianbet, Partizan Mozzart Bet and Budućnost VOLI have the same season score at the moment and the three regional giants are currently sharing the top spot on the table.

Key moments: At the start of the final minute of the game Crvena zvezda Meridianbet had a 1-point lead – 83:82, while then Joel Bolomboy made a dunk to extend the gap to 3 points – 85:82.

On the other side of the court, Carlik Jones got fouled, while Partizan Mozzart Bet point guard scored both free throws for 85:84.

Then, perhaps the key moment of the game happened. Yago dos Santos missed a floater, but Joel Bolomboy made an offensive rebound as he pushed to ball toward Nikola Kalinić, who then got fouled and received two free throws. Kalinić made both free throws for 87:84.

With 14 seconds remaining on the game clock, Partizan Mozzart Bet called for a time-out, but they never got an opportunity to try putting their plan into action as Nikola Kalinić made a clutch steal during the inbound pass! Zvezda’s players then made a quick fastbreak, while Joel Bolomboy made another dunk to seal the win for the home team – 89:84.

Man of the match: It is definitely difficult to choose between Joel Bolomboy and Nikola Kalinić as both of them made some key plays late in the game, so let’s just say that they deserve to share this award today.

Can’t trick the stats: Partizan Mozzart Bet made 12 turnovers today, while some of them came in the key moments of the 4^th quarter, like that one on 14 seconds before the end when the black-and-whites lost the ball after making an inbound pass.