Isaiah Taylor’s last-second drive to the basket secured a thrilling 80-79 victory for Dubai Basketball against Spartak Subotica, improving their ABA League record to 4-1.
With just 55 seconds left in the game, Spartak’s point leader and MVP candidate, Rasir Bolton, went to the free-throw line but made only one of his two attempts. The crowd’s excitement built as the stage was set for Taylor’s game-winning shot with just two seconds remaining.
Dubai’s victory showcased contributions from multiple players on both offense and defense. NBA veteran Davis Bertans made a significant impact, hitting five of six three-point attempts and finishing the game with 17 points. Team captain Klemen Prepelic and fan favorite Awudu Abass were also strong defensively, each grabbing seven rebounds.
Head coach Jurica Golemac praised his players’ resilience and thanked the home crowd for their support.
“I think we need to improve significantly,” he said. “We are a new team, dealing with injuries, and some players didn’t practice all week. We need to grow with every game. Winning a close match like this helps with that. I credit the guys for not giving up and showing their character.”
Golemac expressed gratitude towards the fans, saying, “This was a very good home crowd. They really helped us. They believed in us and provided the energy we needed.”
With just over 2:30 left in the match, Spartak held a five-point lead. However, fueled by the passionate home support at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Basketball managed to rally back, culminating in Taylor’s dramatic game-winner as time expired.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dubai Basketball wore special pink warm-up jerseys before the game, and the lighting at Coca-Cola Arena was also turned pink.
The team will return to action on October 26, traveling to Croatia to face Cibona in Zagreb. They will be back at Coca-Cola Arena on November 17 to take on KRKA.
Related Topics
- What Station Is the NBA Basketball Game On?
- Why Do My Ankles Hurt After Basketball?
- Can I Lose Weight by Playing Basketball?
