Crvena Zvezda - Partizan
ABA League Finals Game 4
Belgrade, June 20, 19:00 CET
Pistol Pete
The problems that Partizan has in defense in the matches they play away from home, for months and continuously, are the main reason why we should again expect a match with a large number of points against Crvena Zvezda, in the fourth game of the ABA League final.
Crvena Zvezda finally demonstrated their magnificent attacking talent in a 91:78 victory, in a duel played on June 18. In the second half, the winning team scored as many as 53 points. Now it was seen how important Argentinian guard Vildoza is for the "red and whites", who after a week off, due to a minor injury, has now fully recovered.
Partizan, on the other hand, is not ready to play a good defense on the opponent's field even at the end of the season. Previously, they were defeated in the semifinals in Ljubljana against Cedevita Olimpija 95:83 (May 30). Before that, the legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic's team received 79 points in the quarter-finals in Podgorica against a complete outsider, SC Derby, and reached victory in the last attack (May 18).
Even in two victories over Real Madrid in the Euroleague quarterfinal series away from home, at the end of April, Partizan received at least 80 points both times. It can be said that the last time this team played a decent defense away from home was on March 7, in the victory over Virtus in Bologna 88:79. But it was also a high-scoring match.
Partizan enters this game completely relieved and aware that in front of their fans, if they lose on Tuesday - they will still have the opportunity on Thursday to win their first title after more than a decade in the decisive fifth game.
Crvena Zvezda, on the other hand, is finally finding the right energy and the appropriate rhythm in the attacking game. However, they are still waiting for a good shooting night from the famous playmaker Campazzo. In the previous game, the Argentinian star finished the duel with seven points and assists. He shot nine times and only scored once. In as many as five quarters in a row in this final, Campazzo did not score from a play... The team of the famous coach Dusko Ivanovic absolutely needs Campazzo's good shooting releases - and ideally, that would be in the eventual fifth match on Friday.
When it comes to Partizan, the team has to find a way for guard Kevin Punter, the team's leading scorer, to get into positions for good shots. In the previous match, Crvena Zvezda focused their defense on Punter, often ''doubling'' him after ''swith''. Partizan has yet to find a recipe, how to respond to such a plan of the opponent. Also, problems with fouls by high players of Partizan are also something that Obradovic has to solve.
If Partizan wins on Tuesday, they will celebrate their seventh ABA League title and thus become the club with the most trophies in the history of the regional competition. However, it is much more likely that the celebration will be postponed until the eventual fifth match. Both teams are even expected to play this game in a slightly more relaxed rhythm - aware that a key chapter in the fight for the title awaits them on Thursday.
The Basketball Expert
Red Star did what they needed to do on Sunday. They defeated Partizan by 91:78, and extended this series for at least one more game. Everything except three-point shooting percentage was on the side of red and whites. They had more offensive rebounds (7-3), assists (19-11), steals (8-2) and significantly fewer turnovers (6-17). However, statistics do not reveal everything. The key reason for Red Star's win was tremendous defensive intensity that we didn’t see in the first two games. This is normal when you have such loud and passionate fans behind you. From the first second, Red Star played aggressively and didn’t allow Partizan to catch their rhythm. The ratio of points in the paint (46-20) perhaps best illustrates the dominance that Red Star had in game number three.
Partizan shot an impressive 48% (12/25) from downtown and still lost by double digits. It's a good lesson for them to become aware that they won't beat Red Star in the "Aleksandar Nikolic Hall" with just a great shot from distance. It is necessary for them to be much stronger in defense and to play with more focus and patience in offense. Some of the most important players (Alen Smailagic, Mathias Lessort and Dante Exum) committed three fouls already in the first half, which is why their playing time was limited. Most of these fouls are made in a stupid way. Kevin Punter didn’t score a single point in the second and third quarter, which is unacceptable from a player who is Partizan leader on the court. For any chance on Tuesday night, it is necessary for Partizan to respond to Red Star's aggressive game. If they allow the opponent to overpower them again, the ABA league champion will be decided in the fifth game.
The tradition in the ABA League Finals continued. Now, home team's winning streak in the final games has been increased to 21. Although it seems unbelievable, there are reasons why this is so. Namely, the atmosphere is really like in hell. Home fans always welcome the opponent in a hostile manner. It was like that in all three games in this series as well. Various objects such as coins and lighters are thrown on the floor and it is not pleasant to play at all. Participants in the previous five ABA League finals were only Red Star, Partizan and Buducnost. All of them create "identical conditions" for opponents. If the home court plays a huge factor anywhere, it is in the ABA League Finals. That alone is a much bigger reason than basketball on the floor. Moreover, when two teams of similar quality meet, such as Red Star and Partizan, it usually ends with home team triumphing. In order to win as a visitor, you have to be much, much better than the host, and Partizan is not that at this moment. Expect an identical epilogue as in the previous three games and a win for the home team with at least a two-possession difference.