CEDEVITA – PARTIZAN: Olimpija on a Six-Game Skid, Black and Whites on Three! Who Will See the Light at the End of the Tunnel?
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- Cedevita Olimpija is on a six-game losing streak, while Partizan has suffered three consecutive defeats.
- The Black and Whites defeated the Dragons in Belgrade less than a month ago.
- The Slovenian team is sixth in the ABA League standings with a 12-10 record, while the Steamroller is second at 19-3.
- In their last seven head-to-head matches in Ljubljana, Partizan has only won once.
Cedevita Olimpija – Partizan (Tip-off at 5 PM)
Match Preview
Following their triumph in the "Eternal Derby," Joan Peñarroya's squad has experienced a noticeable dip in form, resulting in three consecutive losses across all competitions. Last weekend, Partizan's defeat to Budućnost in Podgorica cost them the top spot in the ABA League standings, meaning their fate for securing pole position before the playoffs is no longer entirely in their hands. This was compounded by EuroLeague losses to Anadolu Efes in Istanbul and Žalgiris in the Belgrade Arena.
Ahead of the match in Ljubljana, the math is clear. Only a victory will keep the Black and Whites in the race for first place in the regional championship. Otherwise, they would have to hope that Dubai loses both of their remaining games (against Budućnost and Bosna), which is highly unlikely.
Furthermore, a loss to Cedevita Olimpija could even jeopardize their hold on third place. In such a scenario, Partizan might find themselves in a direct showdown with Crvena Zvezda in the final round to determine their seeding. This is a situation the Serbian and Adriatic champions are keen to avoid, while also hoping for assistance from Budućnost, whose victory over Dubai in Sarajevo could potentially open the door for Partizan to reclaim first place.
The Black and Whites traditionally struggle on their visits to Ljubljana, though they did break a six-game losing streak against the Dragons on their home turf last April. However, Cedevita Olimpija is currently on a six-game losing streak across all competitions, and due to an inferior head-to-head record with Cluj, their chances of finishing higher than sixth place are slim.
Nevertheless, most of the recent losses for Zvezdan Mitrović's team have been by a margin of two possessions or less. This serves as a clear warning for Partizan, who secured a convincing 86:70 victory in their first encounter this season in Belgrade.
You can watch the Cedevita Olimpija – Partizan match live on TV Arena Sport Premium 1 channel, with tip-off scheduled for 5 PM.
Peñarroya and Jones in Unison: Let's Forget Previous Losses
The Black and Whites' coach, Joan Peñarroya, is aware that his team faces a tough challenge but believes that with the right approach, his squad can achieve the desired victory.
"We need to prepare well because a crucial game against Cedevita Olimpija awaits us. We must have the right approach and be ready for a tough and demanding match, considering Cedevita plays very well at home. Also, we need to improve our game and perform at a higher level than in the previous three games." - Joan Peñarroya
Belgrade team's point guard, Carlik Jones, who confirmed his contract extension on Friday, emphasizes that the team must put recent losses behind them and enter the match with maximum focus.
"A win on Sunday would be huge for us; it would give us home-court advantage for the playoffs. We can't dwell on recent losses; we need to stick together. We've been struggling a bit with energy and defeats. It's hard to be smiling and in good spirits when you're losing, but we have to remember the stakes are high, and we need to be fully focused." - Carlik Jones
It remains to be seen whether Tonye Jekiri will be in Partizan's lineup, as the Nigerian center missed the previous two EuroLeague games due to injury.
ABA League Standings
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