Cedevita Olimpija and Igokea m:tel open Saturday’s ABA show with a game in Stožice

2023/24 AdmiralBet ABA League Round 17, Saturday, 20 January 2024:

CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – IGOKEA M:TEL

Where? Stožice Arena, Ljubljana

When? 17:00

Story of the game: In the opening game of the Saturday’s AdmiralBet ABA League schedule, Cedevita Olimpija will be hosting Igokea m:tel at home in their Stožice Arena in Ljubljana.

It’s a game of two direct competitors in the battle for the Top 4 in the standings when the Regular Season ends. Currently, Cedevita Olimpija are on an 11:5 record and Igokea m:tel, just below them, on a 10:6 record. It’s clear that winning would mean for Cedevita Olimpija, that they would pull away to a 2-win-advantage from Igokea m:tel, while Igosi will seek to tie themselves with the Dragons in the standings with an important road win.

Lately, the Ljubljana squad have been in a fairly better shape than the Laktaši one, having won 3 of their last 5 games, while Igokea m:tel have won only 1 of their last 5. However, last round Cedevita Olimpija lost in Split, while Igokea m:tel have recorded a win in Podgorica.

Traditionally, the Dragons have been a more successful squad in the mutual encounters of the two, having prevailed in 4 out of 5 played so far.

Can Igokea m:tel fight tradition, or will the legacy go on?

Match-up in focus: Per haps the most interesting match-up of the game can be the one between Jaka Blažič of Cedevita Olimpija and Edin Atić of Igokea m:tel. While Blažič is currently the top scorer, third-leading rebounder and a second-leading passer of Cedevita Olimpija, averaging 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game so far this season, Atić has been the top scorer, rebounder and passer so far this season for Igokea m:tel, with an average of 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Who will prevail in this clash?

Head-to-head score in the regional league: In total 8:3, In Ljubljana 4:1.