Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade strengthened its EuroLeague postseason push Tuesday with a 94-81 victory over Paris Basketball at Belgrade Arena in Round 36 of the regular season.
The Serbian club improved to 20-16 with two games remaining and stayed firmly in the crowded race for the play-in positions and potentially a top-six finish.
The win came just days after an 89-82 home loss to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in the Serbian derby, a result that had increased pressure around head coach Sasa Obradovic.
Belgrade responded with one of its most complete performances of the season, combining ball movement, rebounding and second-half defense to control the game.
Chima Moneke led the hosts with 21 points and nine rebounds, delivering the most impactful performance on the floor.
Codi Miller-McIntyre orchestrated the offense with 16 points and 14 assists while committing only one turnover.
Ognjen Dobric added 19 points in just over 20 minutes, hitting five three-pointers and providing spacing that stretched the Paris defense.
Ebuka Izundu contributed 13 points and six rebounds as Zvezda controlled the paint and dominated the glass.
The home side finished with 41 rebounds, including 16 offensive boards that created multiple second-chance opportunities.
Paris entered the night averaging high scoring totals but struggled to sustain its offensive rhythm after halftime.
The visitors led 50-44 late in the second quarter behind the scoring of Nadir Hifi, who finished with 20 points.
Zvezda responded with a 13-2 run to close the half and take a 57-54 lead into the break.
Defense became the decisive factor in the second half.
The Serbian club limited Paris to only 27 points after halftime and forced difficult perimeter looks.
Paris shot just 6-for-31 from three-point range and committed 18 turnovers while producing only 16 assists.
Justin Robinson and Jared Rhoden each scored 13 points for Paris, but the French side could not match the host’s defensive intensity in the final two quarters.
Zvezda will now face LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on April 10 before finishing the regular season against Real Madrid on April 16.
Paris returns home to play Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv on April 9 before closing its campaign at Zalgiris Kaunas.
