Dubai Basketball handed Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade their first loss in eight games with a 102-86 victory on Tuesday at the Coca-Cola Arena. The win improved Dubai’s record to 4-6 while ending Zvezda’s (7-3) seven-game streak and knocking them from a share of first place in the EuroLeague standings.
Kenan Kamenjas emerged as the star for Dubai, scoring 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds. After a slow start to the season, the Bosnian big man’s performance marked a breakout, as he dedicated the win to teammate Nate Mason, who is recovering from cervical disc surgery.
Dubai outrebounded Zvezda 35-26, with Filip Petrusev contributing 13 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. McKinley Wright added 18 points and six assists.
Aleksa Avramovic also made an impact off the bench, scoring 17 points in his first game of the season after recovering from injury. Dwayne Bacon contributed 16 points. David Bertans, playing despite recent practice limitations, provided a key boost in energy and leadership during the contest.
Dubai jumped out to a 29-21 first-quarter lead and maintained control through the second half, closing the game with a 33-point fourth quarter. The team shared the ball efficiently, recording 24 assists, highlighting their cohesion and depth.
Crvena Zvezda was led by Ebuka Izundu, who scored 16 points, and Semi Ojeleye, who added 15 points. Donatas Motiejunas chipped in 12 points and contributed defensively, but turnovers and missed opportunities limited the team’s chances. Codi Miller-McIntyre struggled with 10 points on 3/13 field goals, missing all four three-pointers.
Crvena Zvezda, which had been dominant through their seven-game winning streak, struggled with Dubai’s physical play and energy. The Serbian side was limited to 51.3% shooting from the field and 47.6% from three-point range, with no player exceeding 16 points.
Dubai looks ahead to Round 11 against Zalgiris Kaunas on Friday, aiming to build on the momentum from this win. Zvezda returns home to face Monaco on Thursday, hoping to bounce back after the setback.
