Crvena Zvezda Belgrade outlasts Cedevita Olimpija 101-92 in a high-octane ABA League showdown

In a late-night thriller at the Aleksandar Nikolić Hall on May 8, 2026, Crvena Zvezda Belgrade powered past KK Cedevita Olimpija with a 101-92 victory in the Adriatic Basketball Association League. The home side leaned on a balanced offensive attack and clutch second-half defense to snap a two-game losing streak and solidify their position near the top of the standings.

Fast start sets the tone

Crvena Zvezda came out firing, shooting better than 55% from the field in the first quarter. Led by a relentless pick-and-roll game, the home team raced to a 30-22 lead after 10 minutes. Cedevita Olimpija answered behind sharp three-point shooting from their backcourt, trimming the deficit to 54-50 at halftime. The visitors’ ability to score in transition kept the game tight, but Zvezda's size advantage on the boards gave them extra possessions.

Second-half surge decides the contest

The pivotal moment arrived late in the third quarter. With the score tied at 72, Crvena Zvezda unleashed a 10-2 run, fueled by a pair of steals that led to fast-break dunks. The home crowd roared as the lead stretched to 84-74 entering the fourth. Cedevita Olimpija fought back within six points on three occasions in the final period, but each time Zvezda answered with timely baskets from their veteran core.

Standout performers

• Crvena Zvezda guard: The team’s leading scorer poured in 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, and added 7 assists.
• Home frontcourt: The starting power forward recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, dominating the glass on both ends.
• Cedevita Olimpija captain: Despite the loss, the visiting star finished with 24 points and 9 assists, keeping his team in striking distance until the final minutes.

Tactical story

Crvena Zvezda head coach stressed ball movement and tempo, resulting in 28 assists as a team. The home side also turned 14 offensive rebounds into 16 second-chance points. Defensively, they switched aggressively on screens, forcing Cedevita Olimpija into 11 turnovers that led to 18 points at the other end. The visitors struggled to contain dribble penetration in the half-court, a weakness Zvezda exploited repeatedly.

Season impact

The victory improves Crvena Zvezda to 18-6 on the ABA League season, keeping them within striking distance of first place. Cedevita Olimpija falls to 14-10, still in the playoff mix but now facing increased pressure to hold their top-four seed. With the regular season entering its final stretch, this win provides crucial momentum for Crvena Zvezda as they aim for home-court advantage in the postseason.