DUBAI: Dubai Basketball will go into next week’s highly-anticipated game against Partizan Mozzart in the ABA League on the back of five consecutive victories after defeating SC Derby 98-86 at the Coca-Cola Arena on Saturday night.
Head coach Jurica Golemac was pleased with his team’s performance and says his players are peaking at the right time, with Dubai’s playoff debut looming.
“I must congratulate my players and the fans today, who were our sixth player. I’m satisfied today because we had 23 assists and 10 steals all while playing good basketball,” he said.
“SC Derby is a very good team and had a couple of moments of momentum but we defended well from those moments.”
Golemac added: “The Partizan game is like every other game. We will prepare and practice well. What makes me happy is that all the players are healthy now and everybody is in good condition.
“But we got a lot of room to improve on and we will work hard this week before we face Partizan.”
In front of a loud, near-capacity crowd, Dubai Basketball produced an entertaining performance as they overcame an early deficit to take their ABA League record to 17-5.
Dubai Basketball’s starting shooting guard and fan-favorite, Danilo Andusic, finished as the game’s top scorer with an incredible 22 points in 22 minutes of play.
SC Derby began the game with red-hot offensive intensity, marked by Andrija Grbovic’s two consecutive three-pointers as they raced to a 12-6 lead.
But Dubai answered right back, with Davis Bertans knocking down two clutch jump shots in traffic. Dubai would end the first quarter with a 20-19 lead.
The second quarter began with an emphatic dunk from center Jerry Boutsiele, bringing the Dubai fans to their feet as the home side extended the advantage.
In what some officials were calling the loudest game of the season, Dubai’s fans brought noise decibels inside Coca-Cola Arena to another level after Nemanja Dangubic nailed a three pointer just before half, for a 48-39 lead.
Going into the final quarter with a 76-62 lead, Dubai Basketball kept up the offensive pressure, attacking the basket to secure a 98-86 final outcome.
Dubai Basketball’s contest is at the Coca-Cola Arena on Monday, March 17, against the ABA League leaders and EuroLeague powerhouse, Partizan Mozzart, for a crucial game 23 clash.
