Derby game in Morača – Partizan Mozzart Bet chase the first place vs. Budućnost VOLI

AdmiralBet ABA League Round 22, Friday, 21 April 2023:

BUDUĆNOST VOLI – PARTIZAN MOZZART BET 

Where? Morača Sports Hall, Podgorica

When? 19:00

Story of the game: In the previously postponed game of the AdmiralBet ABA League Round 22, Budućnost VOLI will be hosting Partizan Mozzart Bet in what might become the crucial showdown in the battle for the first place in the Regular Season.

Partizan Mozzart Bet, which are entering the battle in Morača after no less than 15 straight wins, are interested only in a new pair of points this time, as a victory against one of the biggest rivals in the competition would already secure them the first place after the end of the Regular Season and a home-court advantage in all stages of the Playoffs. They currently have 2 wins more than second-placed Crvena zvezda Meridianbet on their record, with Zvezda still having 2 postponed games to play at the moment. In case of a victory of Partizan Mozzart Bet in Podgorica, it would be impossible for Zvezda to catch them in the standings. However, if Crvena zvezda Meridianbet are defeated in Bar on Thursday night, or later on Monday in Ljubljana, even a defeat paves the way for the black and white towards the first place.

Budućnost VOLI, however, do not have any pressure of achieving a positive result this time upon them, as either way, in case of a win or defeat, they will be third-placed in the standings after 26 rounds. Of course, each team wishes to win their each game and this time it will be no different for Budućnost VOLI, especially since they will wish to stand up and return to the winning track again before the start of the Playoffs, after an unexpected 26th round defeat against Borac Mozzart at home court.

The outcomes of the games in Morača between the two sides have always been difficult to predict. In 18 games between the two sides so far in the regional competition, Budućnost VOLI have celebrated 10 times and Partizan Mozzart Bet 8 times. 

Who will celebrate this time? Tune in on Friday night and find out!

Match-up in focus: The match-up in focus will for sure be the one between Trae Bell-Haynes on the home side and Dante Exum of the black and white squad. The two excellent guards will try to take their respective teams to the win and the one that is more successful in this head to head clash, might as well lead his side to a precious triumph. Both players are currently both top scorers and rebounders of their respective squads, with Bell-Haynes averaging 14.6 points and 4.8 assists per game for Budućnost VOLI, while Exum is having an average of 11.6 points and 3.6 assists per game for Partizan Mozzart Bet. Who will prevail?

Head-to-head score in the regional league: In total 14:25, In Podgorica 10:8.