By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2022 ABA League playoffs began with Cedevita Olimpija and Buducnost taking a 1-0 lead over Igokea and FMP respectively in best-of-three series. Unlike previous seasons where four teams participated in the playoffs, this year the teams that finished 3rd to 6th compete in a preliminary quarterfinals round while first-seeded Crvena Zvezda and second-placed Partizan Belgrade have already secured a spot in the semifinals.
Jacob Pullen posted 21 points plus six assists while Zoran Dragic added 18 points and Yogi Ferrell scored 17 as Cedevita beat Igokea 93 – 79. The Slovenian side led almost from start to finish and entered the final stretch with a steady double-digit advantage.
Dalibor Ilic finished with 19 points plus 12 rebounds for Igokea that hosts Game 2. The winner of this matchup will face reigning champion Crvena Zvezda in the semis.
In Podgorica, Buducnost survived FMP 76 – 70 to take the upper hand in the series. Justin Cobbs led the winning side with 18 points while Danilo Tasic scored 16 for FMP.