Will Crvena zvezda Meridianbet use their 2nd match point for securing the top spot?
Crvena zvezda Meridianbet will host SC Derby in the last game of Round 25.
Luka Mitrovic (Photo: SC Derby/Filip Roganovic)
2023/24 AdmiralBet ABA League Round 25, Monday, 1 April 2024:
CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDIANBET - SC DERBY
Where? Aleksandar Nikolić Sports Hall, Belgrade
When? 18:00
Story of the game: Crvena zvezda Meridianbet will host SC Derby in the last game of Round 25.
This Monday evening, the Belgrade troops will have their 2nd match point for securing the top spot in the regular season. Recall that the red-and-whites could have finished the job already in the previous round, but they had lost the home game against Mega MIS. Now, the league leaders are determined to use this 2nd chance and to therefore officially claim the 1st place ahead of the Playoffs.
Yet, SC Derby are not really coming to Belgrade on a casual trip as the Podgorica side are doing their best to seize the last remaining Playoffs ticket. At this moment, SC Derby are all tied with Split on the standings and those two teams will be racing for the 8th position in the rest of the regular season.
SC Derby have an advantage over Split as they have a better head-to-head score, so if SC Derby manage to win their Monday’s game against Crvena zvezda Meridianbet and if Split lose their Sunday’s game against Mega MIS, then SC Derby will officially advance to the Playoffs one round before the end of the regular season.
Match-up in focus: Crvena zvezda Meridianbet is having lots of troubles with injuries of their guard players, but they also have Nemanja Nedović fully healthy and in probably the best form in the season so far. Nedović scored 30 points against Real Madrid couple of days ago in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and he should be the main offensive power of Crvena zvezda Meridianbet in the upcoming game.
Meanwhile, SC Derby have Mateo Drežnjak who’s been playing exceptionally good in 2024. Drežnjak had several 20+ points games in the 2nd part of the season, while he will now try to lead his troops toward the biggest away win of the season.
Head-to-head score in the regional league: In total 5:0; In Belgrade 2:0.
