After losing to Partizan in the previous round, SC Derby basketball players have an ideal opportunity to return to winning ways - Petar Mijović's team welcomes Krka at 17 pm in the "MTEL Morača Hall" in the 20th round of the AdmiralBet ABA League.
"Students" lost to the same rival in Novo Mesto in the first part of the season (97:91) and have a record of six wins and 13 losses, and a possible triumph would further distance them from the lower house, because Krka, in 14th place, has two fewer triumphs.
- We have another important match ahead of us. Krka is a demanding team to prepare for, as it is an offensively oriented team, with a large number of players with points in their hands. Defensively, we have to be at a high level, aggressiveness and pressure on the main shooting options have to be constant. And offensively, we need to be very focused on both the basic and their alternative defenses - said Mijović.
A lot will also depend on SC Derby's centers, primarily Zoran Nikolić.
- The results do not show a realistic picture of Krka's quality and therefore we must not underestimate our rival. The Slovenian team plays with a lot of shots from outside the 6,75 line and if allowed, they will hit those shots. For us, a victory means a step closer to survival and a possible fight for the last place in the playoffs, so we will do our best to get there - Nikolić emphasized.
Krka is led by Dejan Jakara, who won the Montenegrin Cup last season on the bench of SC Derby.
- We are weakened, perhaps even more than we have been so far. However, all of this is an integral part of sport - the boys know what awaits them in Podgorica, they want to win and that is how we approach this match - said Jakara and added:
- It is true that SC Derbi is in good form. They played very well against Spartak and Partizan, and against Cibona they led by 15 to 20 points practically the entire game. The opponent has the role of a favorite, but regardless of who is in the team, we will show that we can play and we will try to surprise the host - concluded Jakara.
Krka center Brady Skins is hoping for a big triumph.
- Every game is important for us, and this one is too. Derby is a good team, but our coach knows that team well and that could be a significant advantage, although we are aware of how hard work awaits us - said Skins.
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