By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
In the final round of the ABA League group phase, Crvena zvezda Meridianbet visited Podgorica to face Group B leaders Budućnost.
The Belgrade side took control in the fourth quarter and went on to secure an 80–93 victory at the Morača Arena. Despite the win, Crvena zvezda remained second in the standings, finishing the group phase with a 12–4 record, behind the Montenegrin team.
Jordan Nwora led Saša Obradović’s team with 21 points, while Donatas Motiejūnas added 12 and Jared Butler chipped in 10. Yago dos Santos recorded eight points and nine assists, as Crvena zvezda played without Ognjen Dobrić and Dejan Davidovac, as well as long-term absentees Jasiel Rivero, Tyson Carter, Uroš Plavšić and Isaiah Canaan.
For Budućnost, Juwan Morgan and Yogi Ferrell scored 14 points apiece, Jerry Boutsiele finished with 12, and Axel Bouteille added 10.
In another highly anticipated Round 18 clash, Partizan defeated Dubai 86–76 at the Belgrade Arena, tying the Emirates team at 15–1 in Group A. However, Partizan remained behind in the standings due to the points differential in head-to-head meetings, as Dubai won the first encounter 82–70.
Duane Washington played his first game after missing seven matches due to injury and shined with 33 points. Sterling Brown added 12, while Isaac Bonga contributed 10 points. Cameron Payne was sidelined with a minor injury.
For Dubai, Mfiondu Kabengele finished with 20 points and six rebounds, while Dwayne Bacon added 17 points and seven boards.
The ABA League now moves into the Top 8 phase, with the top four teams from each group advancing, while the remaining 10 teams will compete in the play-out.
ABA League Round 18
Vienna – Zadar 77–86
Borac Čačak – Cluj-Napoca 87–93
Bosna – Ilirija 78–93
Mega – Spartak Subotica 89–94
Krka – Igokea 85–86 (OT)
SC Derby – FMP 72–73
Budućnost – Crvena zvezda 80–93
Partizan – Dubai 86-76
Group A: 1. Dubai 15–1, Partizan 15–1, Cluj-Napoca 10–6, Igokea 8–8…
Group B: Budućnost 13–3, Crvena zvezda 12–4, Cedevita Olimpija 11–5, Bosna 8–8…