Match of the round: Classic in Belgrade, Partizan host Cibona
In the seventh round of the ABA League season, Partizan NIS will be hosting Cibona in the ABA League classic in Belgrade. Both teams are currently on fire – which will prevail?
Partizan NIS fans Grobari (Photo: Partizan NIS)
ABA League Round 7, Saturday, 10.11.2018:
Where? Aleksandar Nikolić Hall, Belgrade
When? 19:00
Story of the game: The black and white fans in Belgrade are already getting ready for one of the biggest home games of their team this season – old rivals of Cibona Zagreb are coming to town.
And it will not just be an ordinary ABA League classic, one of those that we are used to watching, but this time stakes are as high as ever, since the winners will earn themselves a spot in the Playoffs zone, where both teams are aiming to be when season ends.
Currently, both teams are on fire. Cibona have won three games in a row, while Partizan NIS have undergone a slight crisis of results, but have bounced back after the switch at head coach position, as Andrea Trinchieri took over the team from Nenad Čanak and won his first two games with the black and white – in ABA League against undefeated Mega Bemax and in EuroCup against Trento. Who will be more successful this time?
If we take a look at tradition – Partizan NIS should have a huge advantage thanks to their home court and the support of their fans – in the entire history of regional league – Cibona have only once beaten Partizan NIS in Belgrade out of 17 attempts – back in 2009.
Match-up in focus: One guy has been unstoppable lately at the side of Cibona and it is the point guard Marko Ljubičić, who already got used to hitting important shots when the flows of the games were being decided. This time around, his match will be Marcus Paige of Partizan NIS. Can he prevent him from shining again in the hostile environment? Let’s wait and see.
Head to head in regional league: In total 25:10; In Belgrade 16:1.
