Zadar against negative tradition and relegation in Belgrade

Thursday, 23. February 2017 at 10:00

In the last game of the 23rd round, Partizan NIS will host Zadar in Belgrade in an important game for both sides. Partizan NIS are battling to achieve the final second place in the standings and grab a home-court advantage in the semi-finals, while Zadar need to win desperately to avoid relegation.

Uros Lukovic (Photo: Zadar/Zvonko Kucelin)

ABA League 23rd round, Friday, 24.2.2017:

PARTIZAN NIS - ZADAR

Where? Aleksandar Nikolić Hall, Belgrade

When? 18:00

Story of the game: One of the ABA League classics will close the 23rd round of the season, as Partizan NIS will host Zadar in Aleksandar Nikolić Hall, Belgrade.

It is expected to be an exciting encounter, as it is of vast importance for both sides. As the Belgrade team need a new pair of points to improve their chances of reaching the second place in the standings after the regular season and earn themselves home court advantage in the semi-finals, Zadar are currenly one of the three last-placed teams and they desperately need to win in order to avoid relegation from the regional competition.

Partizan NIS have failed to reach the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals during the week due to huge problems with health of their players, as several of them were missing. Even this time it is questionable in what lineup they would face the Dalmatian side.

The squad led by Aramis Naglić, however, will have to battle and beat the curse of the away games in Belgrade if they wish to win, as they have won just once against the black and white in Belgrade until now, as far as the regional competition is concerned.

Match-up in focus: Scoring machine against the blocking machine! This is how the most exciting match-up of the Friday’s game could be named, as Zadar’s key offensive weapon Ivan Marinković will battle in the paint against Partizan’s fantastic shot blocker Uroš Luković. Keep an eye on this clash under the rim!

Head to head in regional league: In total 15:10; In Belgrade 12:1.

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