Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade captured the ABA League crown for the first time since 2013 by blasting archrival Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 96-85 in Game 5 of the finals on Thursday to take the best-of-five series 3-2. The game set the league record for attendance with 22,198 fans at Stark Arena. Kevin Punter shined with 32 points to lead all scorers and was named MVP of the playoffs. Zach LeDay added 15 for the winners and James Nunnally scored 12. Ognjen Dobric paced Zvezda with 18 points, Ben Bentil had 15, Nemanja Nedovic 12 and Facu Campazzo tallied 10 points, 8 assists and 5 steals in defeat. This marks Partizan’s seventh ABA championship and ends Zvezda’s run of three consecutive crowns.
Partizan wins the ABA League championship
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Punter scored the game’s first 6 points and Partizan raced to a 14-6 lead on a triple by Nunnally. A three by LeDay made it 30-18 after 10 minutes and the margin reached 21 points in both the second and third quarters. Zvezda erupted for 34 points in the third quarter and came roaring back to make it 75-68 on a Campazzo triple at the end of the third. It was 79-75 with 6 minutes remaining, but Nunnally and Dante Exum helped Partizan regain the momentum and the hosts held on down the stretch.