DUBAI: Dubai Basketball strengthened its standing as one of the EuroLeague’s toughest home teams after producing a resilient turnaround to defeat Paris Basketball 90-89 in round 13 at Coca-Cola Arena. The victory lifted the UAE club to remain undefeated in their debut EuroLeague season at Coca-Cola Arena — securing Dubai’s 10th home win this season.
The game opened in a difficult fashion for the hosts. Paris dictated the tempo from the first possession, striking twice from long range within the opening minute and using their trademark high pace to build a 15-point advantage after 10 minutes. But the 5,000-strong home crowd lifted the team when they needed it the most.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second period. Dubai responded with renewed defensive intensity and a 14-point surge that completely changed the game’s rhythm. The home side held Paris scoreless for almost three minutes and capitalized at the other end, eventually heading into halftime with a 46-45 lead, their first of the night.
Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac commented on the hard-sought win, saying: “Personally, for me, this is one of the biggest victories in the history of Dubai Basketball. With so many absences, we stepped up. Even though we started very slow and very soft, we stepped up again, with the help of our fans, who were involved throughout the entire game.
“But I need to say that all the guys here are exceptional characters, and they believe in themselves. In sport, names don’t play — hustle, energy and intensity play. The most important thing, which we talk about all the time, is the never-give-up mentality. Never give up; always fight until the end, and that will always bring something better.”
The closing minutes showcased Dubai’s composure under pressure. Key outside shots, and an important late-game three from Justin Anderson, kept the home side within striking distance. With the score tight inside the last minute, Dubai executed more cleanly, converting crucial free throws and forcing a Paris offensive foul that swung the momentum decisively. Although Paris hit a long buzzer-beater to trim the final margin, Dubai had already done enough to secure the win.
McKinley Wright delivered a standout performance, particularly in the fourth quarter, when he powered the comeback with an explosive scoring stretch and finished with a career night. Filip Petrusev played a major role in the first-half turnaround, while Anderson’s timely shooting proved vital in several critical moments.
With the win, Dubai continues to turn Coca-Cola Arena into a difficult destination for opposing teams, further solidifying its strong position at the season’s midpoint. The team now looks ahead to its upcoming trip to Italy, where it will face Virtus Bologna on Dec. 5.
