NLB MATCH OF THE ROUND: Split host Cibona in Gripe

Thursday, 21. March 2024 at 11:33

On Friday night, Split will be hosting Cibona at home in their Split Sports Hall in Gripe.

(Photo: Cibona/Ivana Dergez)

2023/24 AdmiralBet ABA League Round 24, Friday, 22 March 2024:

SPLIT – CIBONA

Where? Split Sports Hall, Split

When? 21:00

Story of the game: On Friday night, Split will be hosting Cibona at home in their Split Sports Hall in Gripe.

It’s a game of two old rivals and the one that is of exceptional importance especially for the home side, not only because of prestige, but also since they are currently placed right on the edge of the Playoffs Zone with an 11:12 record, and they need to keep winning in order to stay within the boundaries of Top 8 in the standings.

Split have been in a good shape lately, having won 3 out of their last 5 games played, and will be entering the clash after 2 straight wins. On the other side, Cibona have won 2 of their last 5 games and have also lost their last 2 games.

The question therefore is whether Cibona can bounce back and return to the winning track, or will the streaks go on this time.

History reveals that Cibona have been more successful not only in mutual encounters of the two squads in general over the past (7:16), but also when playing on the road in Gripe (4:7). They have also won the first clash between the two sides this season (81:73) at home in Dražen Petrović Arena.

Can Split fight tradition and continue their winning run, or will Cibona mess their plans once more? Tune in on Friday night and find out!

Match-up in focus: Perhaps the most interesting match-up of the game can be the one between Shannon Shorter of Split and Aleksandar Aranitović of Cibona. While Shorter has been the top scorer and passer, as well as second-leading rebounder of Split, averaging 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, Aranitović has been averaging 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, as the top scorer, second-leading rebounder and third-leading passer of Cibona. Which one will lead his team to the win this time?

Head-to-head score in the regional league: In total 7:16, In Split 4:7.
 

>