By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The battle for the ABA League crown began in the United Arab Emirates, with Dubai protecting its home floor and drawing first blood against Partizan.
Aleksandar Sekulic’s side made the most of its home-court advantage in Game 1 of the best-of-five finals series, defeating Partizan 99-93 to take a 1-0 lead.
Dzanan Musa led the way for Dubai with 22 points, while McKinley Wright finished with 19 points and nine assists, narrowly missing a double-double. Mfiondu Kabengele also scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Justin Anderson added 11 points.
For Partizan, Carlik Jones scored 21 points and Sterling Brown added 20, while Duane Washington contributed 18. Isaac Bonga chipped in 13 points.
Dubai built a commanding 69-51 lead in the third quarter, but Partizan responded with a 15-0 run to close the period and cut the deficit to just three points. However, the hosts regained control in the final quarter, pulling away once again to secure the victory and take the first of three steps needed toward a historic ABA League title.
Game 2 is scheduled for June 6 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
Dubai – Spartak Office Shoes 2-0 (102-74, 88-84)
Buducnost VOLI – U-BT Cluj-Napoca 2-1 (86-73, 90-94, 112-81)
Partizan Mozzart Bet – Bosnia BH Telecom 2-0 (81-73, 87-73)
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet – Cedevita Olimpija 2-1 (101-92, 86-92, 95-86)
Semifinals (best-of-three)
Dubai – Buducnost VOLI 2-1 (104-90, 90-91, 103-77)
Partizan Mozzart Bet – Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet 2-0 (100-94, 89-78)
Finals (best-of-five)
Dubai 1 – 0 Partizan Mozzart Bet (99-93)
Make