Dubai Basketball emerge victorious in the thriller in Coca-Cola Arena

AdmiralBet ABA League Quarterfinals Round 1, Sunday, 11 May 2025:

DUBAI BASKETBALL– Cedevita Olimpija 86:85 (20:19, 23:26, 21:20, 22:20)

PHOTO GALLERY
POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game recap: In the Game 1 of the Quarterfinal series, Dubai Basketball prevailed over Cedevita Olimpija at home in their Coca-Cola Arena after a thrilling finish. In a game, where both teams have exchanged their advantages several times during the playing time and that could really have gone either way, Dubai Basketball emerged victorious in the end, prevailing by a single point, after Cedevita Olimpija’s last shot went off target. This way, Dubai Basketball have earned themselves a 1:0 lead in the Quarterfinal series over the Ljubljana side and will have a chance to secure themselves a semi-final ticket on Friday in the Game 2 in Ljubljana. On the other hand, of course, Cedevita Olimpija will do all they can in order to level the series to 1:1 and return to Dubai once again.

Key moments: In a close encounter throughout the entire 40 minutes of play, it all came down to the final ball possession. Dubai Basketball were up by a point, 16 seconds remained on the game clock and Cedevita Olimpija had the ball. DJ Stewart fired an uncontested shot from mid-range, but his game-winning shot attempt missed the target and the hosts celebrated.

Man of the match: Nate Mason has been the key to Dubai Basketball win this time around. Besides having scored 18 points, dishing out 5 assists, grabbing 3 rebounds, stealing a ball and collecting a valuation of 25, he also scored 4 of the last 6 points by his squad, to lead them to the win. He is our man of the match!

Can’t trick the stats: Cedevita Olimpija might have won an important rebounding battle, but the hosts were firing from beyond the arc 50% (8/16) and Cedevita Olimpija only 31% (8:26) and that’s what turned out to be decisive this time around.