NLB MATCH OF THE ROUND: Monday evening spectacle in Zadar
Zadar will host Partizan Mozzart Bet in this week’s NLB Match of the Round.
(Photo: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic)
AdmiralBet ABA League Round 26, Monday, 17 April 2023:
ZADAR - PARTIZAN MOZZART BET
Where? Krešimir Ćosić Arena, Zadar
When? 18:00
Story of the game: In the final round of the 2022/23 AdmiralBet ABA League, Zadar will host Partizan Mozzart Bet in Krešimir Ćosić Sports Hall.
This will be a true basketball spectacle as the game itself has huge value for both sides.
Zadar are fighting for the Playoffs and they are currently sharing the 7th position with SC Derby. What is very important for Zadar ahead of the final round is that they do not depend on any other result when it comes to the Playoffs race. If they win the match against Partizan Mozzart Bet, they will seal their place in the Playoffs.
Zadar can advance to the Playoffs even if they lose the upcoming game, but no one in the white-and-blue crew are thinking about those potential scenarios. They want to finish the job by themselves.
On the other side, Partizan Mozzart Bet have to win this game in order to stay at the top spot. The Belgrade troops have a clear situation in front of them. If they win their remaining two games in the regular season, they will clinch the 1st place and therefore have a home-court advantage throughout the whole Playoffs. The first out of those two games is the one against Zadar and that is why the black-and-whites will be fully motivated to grab the precious away win.
Match-up in focus: All the eyes of the home crowd will be pointed to Luka Božić who is having simply an incredible season and who might become the new local hero if he manages to take the team into the Playoffs after so many years. Božić is averaging 33 index rating per game and he might break the all time record for the highest average index rating in a single season.
At the same time, Partizan Mozzart Bet have their match winner James Nunnally. You all remember the 3-pointer Nunnally scored in Split to bring the valuable win to the Belgrade team, while just couple of days ago he did the same thing in the EuroLeague match against Panathinaikos Athens. Perhaps he will decide the upcoming game too.
Head-to-head score in the regional league: In total 12:25, In Zadar 10:7.
