Dubai Basketball Defeat Partizan Mozzart Bet in Game 1 to Take the Lead in the Finals

AdmiralBet ABA League Finals Round 1, Thursday, 4 June 2026:

DUBAI BASKETBALL - PARTIZAN MOZZART BET

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POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game Recap: Dubai Basketball have taken the lead in the 2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Finals after defeating Partizan Mozzart Bet 99:93 in Game 1 of the best-of-five series at Coca-Cola Arena.

In front of nearly 9,500 spectators, the home side delivered another strong offensive performance and protected the home court advantage to move one step closer to the trophy.

Dubai Basketball were in front for most of the game. The hosts established an early rhythm and finished the opening quarter with a 29:24 lead, before extending the margin further in the second period. Thanks to efficient offensive execution, Dubai Basketball entered halftime with a solid 53:44 advantage.

The third quarter initially continued in the same direction. Midway through the period, Dubai Basketball built their biggest lead of the night at 69:51 and appeared to be in full control of the contest. However, Partizan Mozzart Bet responded strongly and produced their best stretch of the game, reducing the deficit to only three points by the end of the quarter (69:66).

With momentum seemingly shifting towards the visitors, Dubai Basketball delivered an immediate response at the start of the final period. The hosts opened the fourth quarter with a decisive 10:0 run to restore a double-digit advantage at 79:66.

Partizan Mozzart Bet continued to fight until the very end, but Dubai Basketball managed to keep the visitors at a safe distance throughout the remainder of the game and eventually secured a 99:93 victory.

Game 2 of the 2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Finals will be played on Saturday, June 6, once again at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

Key moments: The turning point came at the start of the fourth quarter. After seeing their 18-point lead shrink to only three points by the end of the third period, Dubai Basketball answered in impressive fashion. The home side opened the final quarter with a 10:0 run to restore a comfortable double-digit lead (79:66) and never allowed Partizan Mozzart Bet to seriously threaten afterwards.

Man of the match: Mfiondu Kabengele was an unstoppable force in the paint and the key figure in Dubai Basketball's Game 1 victory. The dominant big man finished the game with 19 points and 8 rebounds, constantly creating problems for the Partizan Mozzart Bet defense with his physical presence, energy and efficiency around the basket. Whenever Dubai Basketball needed an important basket or a momentum-changing play, Kabengele seemed to be involved.

Can’t trick the stats: Dubai Basketball showed tremendous toughness throughout the game by converting several important and-one plays, repeatedly turning difficult situations into three-point possessions and maintaining momentum whenever Partizan Mozzart Bet attempted to make a comeback. The hosts were particularly dominant inside the arc, shooting an outstanding 68.9% for two-point range, a number that perfectly illustrates how efficient they were offensively throughout the evening.