Dalmatian derby in Višnjik – Zadar host Split in the middle of their Playoffs race

2023/24 AdmiralBet ABA League Round 21, Friday, 1 March 2024:

ZADAR – SPLIT 

Where? Krešimir Ćosić Arena, Zadar

When? 19:00

Story of the game: In the opening game of the AdmiralBet ABA League Round 21, Zadar will be hosting Split at home in their Krešimir Ćosić Arena in Zadar.

It’s expected to be hot in Višnjik on Friday night, not only due to the significance of the derby game, but also due to the situation in the standings after 20 rounds played. While Zadar are a win above the edge of the Playoffs Zone with an 11:9 record, Split are just a win below the edge with a record of 9:11. And while Zadar would get themselves in a very favourable position with a win in terms of their chances of mathermatically securing their spot in the Top 8, Split simply need to win in order to keep their Playoffs dream going.

Recently, the two squads have demonstrated a similar shape in the regional competition, each of them having won 3 of their last 5 encounters and losing their last game, so they would both be looking to get back to the winning track this time.

Previously, it has been the Zadar squad, that has been more successful in mutual encounters in the AdmiralBet ABA League, having won 17 out of 23 games against their Dalmatian rivals, and 7 out of 11 that took place in Zadar.

How will the game unfold this time?

Match-up in focus: Perhaps the most interesting match-up of the Dalmatian derby is the one between Luka Božić and Lewis Sullivan. While Božić is currently the top scorer, rebounder and passer of Zadar, averaging 21.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, Sullivan is the top scorer and rebounder of Split, with an average of 16 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Which of the two will prevail this time in this head to head battle and take his team to the precious win?

Head-to-head score in the regional league: In total 17:6, In Zadar 7:4.