Dubai Basketball Triumphs With 92-84 Win Against Cedevita Olimpija In ABA League

In a spectacular display of skill and teamwork, Dubai Basketball notched their second win in a row, this time on foreign soil, by overcoming Slovenia's Cedevita Olimpija with a score of 92-84. This victory follows their impressive opening win against the reigning champions, Crvena Zvezda, marking a strong start to their inaugural season in Europe's ABA League.

The match, held at Arena Stožice, saw Dubai Basketball aiming to capitalize on their momentum from the previous win. Captain Klemen Prepelic, playing in his homeland of Slovenia, spearheaded the victory with an outstanding performance, scoring 23 points. His contribution included 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Nate Mason and Isaiah Taylor, often referred to as the 'dynamic duo,' also made significant contributions. Mason scored 20 points and provided 7 assists, while Taylor added 10 points to the tally.

Jacorey Williams stood out with his prowess in the paint, securing 9 rebounds and scoring 6 points. His defensive efforts were crucial in limiting Cedevita Olimpija's star and NBA veteran, Devin Robinson, to only 14 points. The game began with Prepelic making a jump shot, quickly followed by two free throws, giving Dubai an early advantage. Despite the hosts managing to level the score at one point, Prepelic's subsequent 7-4 run helped Dubai regain control. Nate Mason's 8 points in the first quarter further extended their lead to 29-17, setting the stage for a dominating first half that ended with Dubai leading 63-42.

Dubai Basketball's Head Coach, Jurica Golemac, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, praising their dominance throughout most of the game. "It was a dominant game. We controlled it for 35 to 37 minutes and the players stuck to everything we agreed on. Cedevita Olimpija is a difficult opponent so we knew we had to be very energetic, maintain a very high intensity, which is difficult to do for 40 minutes," Golemac remarked. He highlighted the team's adherence to their game plan and the challenges of maintaining such a high level of intensity throughout the match.

Golemac also reflected on the team's ambitions and the importance of maintaining focus on upcoming challenges. "We have high ambitions. I told my players in the locker room that 'small games are the biggest games'. We have played these two games where we were not favourites, now we have Mega, then Borac Čačak next and we now need to rest and work well in training for those games," he added. This mindset underscores the team's commitment to approaching each game with the same level of determination, regardless of the opponent.

After securing a total of 20 points in the third quarter, Dubai managed to stave off any comeback attempts by Cedevita Olimpija. The contributions from Prepelic and Williams were pivotal in clinching the 92-84 victory. This win has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the league, as Dubai Basketball continues to exceed expectations.

Dubai Basketball is set to face Serbia's Mega MIS in their next game. The match is scheduled for Saturday, October 5, at the Coca-Cola Arena. Fans eager to witness the team's continued success can still purchase tickets, with prices starting at Dh75.