The ABA League is slowly entering its final phase. With 22 rounds played, only eight games remain in the regular season, and while the battle for the top spots is still ongoing, the fight for playoff qualification is arguably even more exciting. Not all teams that aspire to be among the top eight will manage to secure a place, making the upcoming rounds crucial.

As in previous seasons, debates continue regarding the necessity of the ABA League, particularly from the perspective of Serbian teams. While these discussions come from various sources and motivations, their impact on the competition remains minimal—the ABA League will continue to be played. Meanwhile, the latest information suggests that Partizan and Crvena Zvezda are likely to retain their places in the EuroLeague next season, with the possibility of an additional ABA team being granted entry if the EuroLeague expands. With so much at stake, fans and bettors following the league via Merkur XTip can expect an intense finish to the season.

Round 20: Budućnost Stuns Crvena Zvezda

The 20th round marked the start of the final third of the regular season, highlighted by a major derby between Crvena Zvezda and Budućnost. The Podgorica-based club traveled to Belgrade and, despite being the underdog, secured a 96-89 victory, handing Crvena Zvezda their fourth ABA League defeat. This unexpected loss came at a challenging time for Zvezda, whose struggles in the EuroLeague have now spilled over into regional competition. The outcome also caught many sports betting platforms by surprise, as Zvezda had been heavily favored.

Other results from Round 20:

●     FMP edged Cibona 86-85

●     Igokea secured a narrow 90-85 win over Cedevita Olimpija

●     Borac dominated Mornar 90-71

●     Dubai overcame Spartak 90-84

●     Mega defeated Split 84-82

●     SC Derby triumphed over Krka 101-90

●     Partizan crushed Zadar 100-75

Round 21: Partizan Survives a Scare, Zvezda Rebounds

Looking to recover from their defeat against Budućnost, Crvena Zvezda hosted Zadar, who were coming off a heavy loss to Partizan.

Despite not being particularly dominant, Zvezda secured a 87-76 victory. Meanwhile, Partizan faced a major challenge on the road against Krka, finding themselves 18 points down at one stage. However, they staged a remarkable comeback, winning 79-77 after overtime.

Other results from Round 21:

●     Budućnost convincingly defeated Cedevita Olimpija 95-78

●     Mornar lost at home to Spartak 66-76

●     Dubai dismantled Cibona 90-61

●     FMP beat SC Derby 78-55

●     Igokea narrowly overcame Mega 90-87

●     Split beat Borac 70-59

Round 22: Partizan Dominates Again, Zvezda Stumbles

In the most recent round, Partizan comfortably defeated FMP with a 90-65 victory. Meanwhile, Budućnost suffered an unexpected defeat against Mega (93-79), while Crvena Zvezda also lost, falling 74-69 to Cedevita Olimpija.

Other results from Round 22:

●     Zadar defeated Krka 72-63

●     Cibona triumphed over Mornar 82-64

●     Dubai beat SC Derby 98-86

●     Borac fell to Igokea 88-75

●     Spartak edged Split 82-79

Current Standings

After 22 rounds, Partizan leads the standings with 42 points. Budućnost follows closely with 41 points, while Crvena Zvezda and Dubai sit three points behind the leaders. Their battle for positioning remains intriguing, offering compelling options for sports betting enthusiasts.

The race for the remaining playoff spots is also heating up:

●     5th place: Igokea (36 points)

●     6th place: Cedevita Olimpija (35 points)

●     7th place: Spartak (34 points)

●     8th place: Mega (33 points)

Just outside the playoff zone, Zadar and FMP also have 33 points, making the final eight rounds crucial for securing a postseason berth.

With fierce competition both at the top and for playoff qualification, the ABA League is set for an exciting conclusion.