Dubai Basketball dig deep to down Split in thriller

Dubai: Dubai Basketball pulled off a stunning late comeback to beat Croatian side Split 87-82 on Sunday night, extending their winning streak to 11 and improving their record to a commanding 23-5. With just one home game left before the playoffs, the debutants have firmly established themselves as one of the season’s breakout teams.

They looked set for a routine win after dominating the first half with slick ball movement and sharp defence. Davis Bertans, nicknamed the “Latvian Laser,” lit up the scoreboard with 25 points, his clinical shooting putting Dubai firmly in control.

“Our first half was very, very good,” said head coach Jurica Golemac. “We played with intent, executed well, and had the game in our hands. But then we relaxed. Split didn’t.”

The momentum shifted fast. Dubai’s offence stalled, shots stopped falling, and Split roared back from a 12-point deficit to briefly take the lead in the final quarter.

“We stopped moving the ball,” Golemac admitted. “We missed open looks. We went basket for basket — and that’s dangerous. They got hot and hit some tough shots.”

Sensing danger, Golemac turned to fan favourite Nemanja Dangubic. The forward delivered instantly, helping halt Split’s surge and energise a packed home crowd.

“In the end, full credit to the players,” Golemac said. “We stayed in it, defended hard, and never gave up. The fans were incredible — they gave us the push we needed.”

Golemac was quick to warn against complacency: “That’s 11 wins in a row, but tonight showed how quickly it can turn. You don’t win in 10 or 12 minutes. You win in 40.”

“It’s tough to stay sharp every week,” he added. “Now we go back, look at what went wrong, and get ready for the next one.”

Off the court, it was celebration mode. The club marked Easter with giveaways, entertainment and bunny ears in the stands, adding a festive touch to an already memorable night.

With one regular-season game to go, Dubai Basketball aren’t just winning — they’re setting the tone for the playoffs.