Despite a loss in concentration in the third quarter, Crvena Zvezda recovered to get the better of Panathinaikos 72-66 and score a seventh straight EuroLeague win.
The victory lifts Red Star into fourth spot, dropping the Greens one spot below.
The game looked to be over before it started as a 16-0 start by Crvena Zvezda gave them the advantage. But as the game progressed, Panathinaikos got back into it and they made their move in the third and even took the lead.
But Red Star were not to be denied. Marko Simonovic led the winners with 13 points.
“I feel great,” admitted Crvena Zvezda’s Ognjen Kuzmic. “We just have to keep playing like this. It was just another game for me, nothing special.
“We played good defence in the beginning, but didn’t play great defence in the second and third quarter, but in the last quarter we did good again.”
Fenerbahce edged out Galatasaray 85-80 in a fiery Istanbul derby at the Ulker Sports Arena.
However, Fenerbahce needed a strong fourth period to get the victory. They trailed for the majority as Galatasaray raced to a double-digit lead at half-time only to be pegged back in the second half.
“It was a tough and difficult game,” said Fenerbahce coach Zeljko Obradovic.
“After the game in Kazan and the long trip, getting back here at six in the morning, it was not easy. And we played against a team that two days ago played an excellent game against Maccabi. And they had a lot of confidence and played a really good game tonight, so congratulations to them.”
Fenerbahce recorded its third straight win to improve to 13-7 and remain among the top four in the standings, while Galatasaray fell to 6-14 and last place. With All-EuroLeague center Ekpe Udoh sidelined, Fenerbahce saw another All-EuroLeague big man step up; Jan Vesely dominated with 20 points for the winners.
After a humiliating loss in Istanbul 48 hours, previously, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv responded with a much needed 60-52 win at home against Unics Kazan.
Maccabi established their dominance quickly, holding Kazan to just nine points in the first quarter and for the majority, remaining in control.
“After the knockout two days ago in Istanbul, we needed to stand up,” Maccabi coach Ainars Bagaskis said.
“We did it with energy. It was a tough game against an experienced team. I was happy because we got the turnovers down under our average.”
Andrew Goudelock led Maccabi with 17 points.
