Match of the round: It’s the eternal derby time!

Saturday, 02. March 2019 at 11:00

In the match of the 20th round of the ABA League season, the Belgrade powerhouses Crvena zvezda mts and Partizan NIS will be battling for a new victory in Belgrade.

(Photo: Partizan NIS)

ABA League Round 20, Sunday, 3.3.2019:

CRVENA ZVEZDA MTSPARTIZAN NIS

Where? Aleksandar Nikolić Hall, Belgrade

When? 18:00

Story of the game: Are you ready for another basketball spectacle? If you are a basketball fan from Belgrade you most certainly are, since the two of the regional powerhouses, the arch Belgrade rivals Crvena zvezda mts and Partizan NIS are set to battle one against another again in the eternal derby of the Belgrade city.

Both teams have already secured themselves a ticket to the ABA League Playoffs, but believing that the game would not be important from the competitive aspect would be nothing else than naïve. Besides the fact that Partizan NIS are still in the battle for the second place in the standings, which would bring them home court advantage in the Playoffs, of course there is nothing more delightful than beating your city rivals, if you are playing for the red and white or the black and white.

Partizan NIS need to win in order to stay in the race for the second spot in the regular season and currently they are only a win down from Cedevita, which are occupying the second place. They are also sharing the third place with Budućnost VOLI at the moment with 13 wins scored apiece. On the other side, Crvena zvezda mts have already secured themselves the first place before Playoffs.

How about the current shape of both teams? While Crvena zvezda mts have won 18 games out of 19 played this season, they have won their last 2 as well. On the other side, Partizan NIS haven’t been defeated in the ABA League for 7 straight rounds!
Speaking of tradition in the ABA League – Partizan NIS have celebrated 19 times in the battles against Crvena zvezda mts, and Zvezda 17 times. When Zvezda were hosts, each team have won 8 times. Therefore one thing is clear – nothing can be predicted ahead of the big derby!

Match-up in focus: Joe Ragland or Alex Renfroe? We will have an unique opportunity to watch the two of the pass masters battle one against another. While Joe Ragland is averaging 6 assists per game at the moment in the ABA League, Alex Renfroe is averaging 6.7. Who will deliver more this time around?

Head to head in the regional league: In total 17:19; At Crvena zvezda mts’ home court 8:8.

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