NLB MATCH OF THE ROUND: Zadar host Cedevita Olimpija in Višnjik
On Saturday night, Zadar will be hosting Cedevita Olimpija in the battle for the fourth place in the standings at home in their Krešimir Ćosić Arena.
Jaka Blazic (Photo: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic)
2023/24 AdmiralBet ABA League Round 23, Saturday, 16 March 2024:
ZADAR – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA
Where? Krešimir Ćosić Arena, Zadar
When? 17:00
Story of the game: On Saturday night, Zadar will be hosting Cedevita Olimpija in the battle for the fourth place in the standings at home in their Krešimir Ćosić Arena.
It’s a game of currently the fourth-placed Cedevita Olimpija, on a record of 14:8 and Zadar, that are just behind the Ljubljana squad in the standings (13:9). If we add to that, that Zadar have beaten Cedevita Olimpija the first time the two squads met this season, on the road in Stožice Arena, the calculation is clear for the Dalmatian side – beat Cedevita Olimpija and get in front of them in the standings ahead of the Round 24. Cedevita Olimpija, on the other side, of course, have other plans. In case they win this game, their fourth position in the standings ahead of the Playoffs, would be pretty close to obtain. Let’s add that a victory for Cedevita Olimpija would already mean that they have already secured themselves the Playoffs ticket for the 2023/24 season.
Recently, Zadar have been in a fairly better shape than Cedevita Olimpija, having won 4 out of their last 5 games, while Cedevita Olimpija have only won 2 out of their last 5. Also, Zadar are heading into this game after 2 straight wins and Cedevita Olimpija after 2 straight defeats.
Over the past, everything seemed to be possible, when the two sides met in Višnjik, as each of them have won 2 out of 4 mutual encounters in Krešimir Ćosić Arena in total.
Will the streaks continue or end this time in Zadar?
Match-up in focus: Perhaps the most exciting match-up of the game can be the one between Luka Božić of Zadar and Jaka Blažič on the other side. While Božić is currently averaging 21 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game as Zadar’s top scorer, rebounder and passer, Blažič has been leading Cedevita Olimpija in scoring with 15.2 points per game, while being also the third-leading rebounder and passer of the Dragons with an average of 5.1 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Who will lead his team to the win this time?
Head-to-head score in the regional league: In total 4:5, In Zadar 2:2.
