MZT or Cedevita? Who will recover from 15th round defeats?

In the first ABA League encounter of the 2017, MZT Skopje Aerodrom are about to host Cedevita in what will be a clash of two teams that wish to stand up after their 15th round defeats.

ABA League 16th round, Monday, 2.1.2017:

MZT SKOPJE AERODROM - CEDEVITA

Where? Jane Sandanski Arena, Skopje

When? 17:00

Story of the game: MZT Skopje Aerodrom and Cedevita are the teams that will open the 2017 year, as far as ABA League is concern as their clash in Jane Sandanski Arena will be the first game of the regional competition in the forthcoming year.

It is the clash of the two teams that cannot be satisfied with their performances in the ABA League so far this season, as both of them entered it with huge ambitions, but failed to completely fulfil it so far. While Cedevita are five wins from their desired position in the top of the standings, MZT Skopje Aerodrom are even struggling to avoid relegation, sharing the bottom of the standings with FMP and Karpoš Sokoli.

For the team that would win this one, it could be the beginning of the fulfilment of their New Year’s resolutions – to perofrm much better than in 2016 part of the season.

At the moment both teams are looking to stand up from the 15th round defeats – Cedevita were defeated in the league’s derby game against Crvena zvezda mts, while MZT fell down against Partizan NIS on the road in Belgrade. MZT are also currently in the middle of a 3-games long losing streak and they will do their best in order to exit it.

While Cedevita are coming to Skopje without injured Luka Babić and perhaps without so far questionable Marko Tomas and Scotty Hopson, MZT Skopje Aerodrom will not able to use the services of big man Daniel Clark, and possibly Marko Simonovski and Charlon Kloof as well.

Match-up in focus: Xavier Thames, one of the key players of MZT Skopje Aerodrom is back into Ante Nazor’s squad after he returned to Skopje from the USA, where he has been lately due to personal problems. On the other side, he will have a proper opponent to test his current shape – Ra’shad James, that has been shining in Cedevita jersey lately. It will be an exciting matchup to watch for sure.

Head to head in regional league: In total 2:7; In Skopje 1:3.