Crvena Zvezda Belgrade 95 – 86 KK Cedevita Olimpija

In a thrilling Adriatic Basketball Association League encounter played in the early hours of May 16, 2026, Crvena Zvezda Belgrade powered past KK Cedevita Olimpija with a commanding 95-86 victory. The match, held at the Aleksandar Nikolić Hall in Belgrade, saw the home side maintain their stronghold in front of a passionate crowd, extending their winning run and tightening their grip on the league standings.

Match Overview

From the opening tip-off, Crvena Zvezda set a blistering pace, racing to a 28-20 lead by the end of the first quarter. The defensive intensity from the Serbian giants forced Cedevita Olimpija into early turnovers, which were quickly converted into fast-break points. The visitors, however, refused to fade, cutting the deficit to just four points at halftime (48-44) behind crisp shooting from the perimeter.

The third quarter proved decisive. Crvena Zvezda’s bench depth came to the fore, with key contributions in transition and from beyond the arc. A 14-2 run midway through the period stretched the lead to double digits, and although Cedevita Olimpija mounted a late charge in the fourth quarter, the hosts answered every run with composed shot selection and stifling defense down the stretch.

Key Moments

• First-quarter surge: Zvezda opened the game by hitting six of their first nine three-point attempts, building a 10-point lead inside the first eight minutes.
• Third-quarter separation: A 9-0 burst capped by a thunderous dunk off a steal pushed the lead to 72-58, forcing Cedevita Olimpija to call a timeout.
• Clutch free throws: With under two minutes remaining and the gap reduced to 88-80, Zvezda sank five consecutive free throws to seal the outcome.

Tactical Story

Crvena Zvezda’s game plan revolved around high-pressure ball screens that freed their shooting guards for mid-range jumpers, while their big men dominated the glass, securing 14 offensive rebounds that led to 18 second-chance points. Defensively, they switched aggressively on pick-and-rolls, forcing Cedevita Olimpija’s playmakers into difficult one-on-one situations.

KK Cedevita Olimpija, for their part, relied heavily on their backcourt duo, who combined for 48 points. Despite their offensive efficiency—shooting 48% from the field—they were undone by 17 turnovers, many of which came in transition against Zvezda’s active hands.

Standout Players

Crvena Zvezda Belgrade: The home team’s MVP was undoubtedly their point guard, who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 11 assists, controlling the tempo from start to finish. A frontcourt stalwart contributed 18 points and 9 rebounds, anchoring the interior defense.

KK Cedevita Olimpija: The Slovenian side’s leading scorer poured in 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including four three-pointers. Their starting center added 14 points and 10 rebounds, providing a physical presence that kept the game competitive throughout.

Season Impact

With this victory, Crvena Zvezda Belgrade improved to a 20-5 record in the ABA League, solidifying their position at the top of the standings with only a handful of games remaining in the regular season. Cedevita Olimpija, now sitting at 14-11, slipped into a tie for seventh place, with their playoff hopes still alive but needing stronger performances down the stretch. The result also bolstered Zvezda’s head-to-head advantage over one of their direct rivals for the league crown, sending a clear message ahead of the postseason.