ABA Liga: Crvena Zvezda Claims Solo Lead

 The ABA Liga is about close out Round 6 of the 2018-19 season but with most of the results already in, we see some changes in the league standings. On Saturday, November 3rd, Crvena Zvezda (5-0) claimed the solo lead in the league standings after they preserved their pristine record with a win over Croatia’s Cedevita 94-79. They used to be in a tie with Mega Bemax, but a win by BC Partizan handed Mega Bemax their first loss of the season, 74-81. The last game will be played tonight between Buducnost and Petrol Olimpija. Buducnost needs to win if they want to hang onto their 3rd-place position in the standings.

Crvena Zvezda is having a great start to the season. The club has been known to on these impressive streaks in the past here in the Adriatic League but they have outdone themselves by also performing well in the 7Days EuroCup.

As per usual, Red Star used solid defense to stay in command of the game. They played hard and were workhorses on the glass. Their grit and grind style overcame a 19-point performance from Cedevita’s James Bell. Ognjen Dobric led Crvena Zvezda with 17 points and Maik Zirbes flirted with a double-double with 11 points and nine boards.

Crvena Zvezda were productive on both ends of the floor the blowout win came about due to their success in finding the open man and capitalizing on Cedevita’s lapses in defense. Red Star made 14-of-29 shots from the downtown and dictated the tempo from start to finish.

Here are the other results from the rest of the round:

Cibona 84-73 Mornar Bar

Crvena Zvezda 94-79 Cedevita

Mega Bemax 74-81 Partizan

Krka 77-78 Zadar

Igokea 74-85 FMP