ABA League: Crvena Zvezda vs Partizan 21/05/2026

A derby that carries far more than just the result – Crvena zvezda, in front of their home fans, are searching for answers to the many problems that surfaced late in the season, while Partizan have the opportunity to confirm the break and finish the job without returning to the Arena.

Betting on total points

Game 2 of the ABA League semifinal series brings another Eternal Derby and another night of huge tension. Partizan managed to protect their home court in the opening game and take the lead in the series, but the feeling remains that they missed the chance to close the game out in a much calmer fashion. Early in the fourth quarter, the black-and-whites held a commanding 20-point advantage and it looked like the winner had already been decided, but Crvena zvezda responded with a series of strong offensive possessions and cut the deficit to just one possession in the closing moments. In the end, there simply was not enough time for a complete comeback.

The series now moves to “Aleksandar Nikolić Hall”, where Zvezda will try to extend their season and force a decisive Game 3. The red-and-whites have not looked as stable over the past month as they did for most of the season. Their offense still functions thanks to the individual quality of the backcourt and a large number of isolation plays, but defense has become a serious issue. During the playoffs so far, they have been allowing more than 90 points per game, and against a team like Partizan that is difficult to survive without consequences.

Because of that, another derby full of pace, transition basketball, and offensive firepower on both sides is expected. Zvezda will try to raise their level through energy and aggression in front of their home crowd, while Partizan will look for another opportunity to punish their defensive weaknesses. Tradition is also heavily on the home side’s side, as Partizan have not won an away game against Zvezda in the ABA League for a full 11 years.

Despite all the problems they have faced late in the season, it feels like the red-and-whites will find extra energy in front of their fans and deliver a much better performance than in the opening game. Another highly efficient matchup is expected, along with enough offensive production from Zvezda to send the series to a deciding third game.