NLB MATCH OF THE ROUND: Derby day in Belgrade – Partizan NIS vs. Crvena zvezda mts

AdmiralBet ABA League Round 21, Sunday, 6 March 2022:

PARTIZAN NIS - CRVENA ZVEZDA MTS

Where? Aleksandar Nikolić Sports Hall, Belgrade

When? 18:30

Story of the game: It’s time for another chapter of one of the fiercest rivalries in the basketball world. It’s Partizan NIS vs. Crvena zvezda mts!

The big Belgrade derby always means a lot to the both side, while now the stakes will be even higher as these two teams are fighting for the 1^st place in the regular season. Partizan NIS are currently holding the 2^nd place with the overall score of 16-3, while Crvena zvezda mts are sitting at the top of the table with the overall score of 17-1.

Partizan NIS will also want to end their losing streak in the games against their arch rivals as they have lost the previous 4 games against Crvena zvezda mts in AdmiralBet ABA League. The black-and-whites scored their last derby win back in 2019.

At the same time, Crvena zvezda mts will try to extend their undefeated run. The red-and-whites have already scored two wins against Partizan NIS in the 2021/22 campaign as they firstly triumphed in the 1st part of the AdmiralBet ABA League regular season by 71:56, while two weeks ago Crvena zvezda mts defeated Partizan NIS in the national cup final to clinch the precious trophy.

The big game is scheduled for Sunday at 18:30 and all the tickets have already been sold out. Therefore, we all expect another basketball spectacle in legendary Aleksandar Nikolić Hall.

Match-up in focus: Alen Smailagić (Partizan NIS) has recovered from injury and he should be fit for the upcoming big game. And that is most certainly a huge thing for the black-and-whites as Smailagić is at this moment team's 2^nd best scorer and 2^nd best rebounder in the ongoing season. On the other side, Nikola Kalinić (Crvena zvezda mts) should lead the red-and-white troops in this tough away game as he is the team's top scorer and the 3^rd best rebounder so far in the 2021/22 AdmiralBet ABA League campaign.

Head-to-head score in the regional league: In total 21:24; At Partizan NIS home court 10:10.