Cluj (9-4) is aiming to seal a playoff berth as fast as possible with a visit from Aris (6-7), which is also on track for post-season action after winning three in a row.
Mihai Silvasan, Cluj: 'We need to play a great offensive game
Seasons
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 14 of 18
Regular Season
group b
U-BT Cluj-NapocaUBT
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Aris Midea ThessalonikiARI
group b
Overview
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The Round 5 meeting between the teams was a defensive slugfest, taken 59-61 by Cluj behind 13 points from big man Andrija Stipanovic. On this occasion, Aris will hope to bypass his power in the paint through the stellar long-range shooting which delivered 7 triples in a big win over Slask last time out, with five of those coming from Roberts Blumbergs.
Mihai Silvasan, Cluj head coach
"It will be a game against a really good team. They won the last three games in the EuroCup and played well. I think tomorrow’s game will be different than the last one in Greece. They will have four new players, including the point guard. Aris is the best defensive team in the EuroCup, so we need to play a great offensive game. We need to give 100 percent to get a victory!"
Ioannis Kastritis, Aris head coach
"We have a very demanding game on the road against Cluj. A team with a lot of quality and depth in their roster. We need to be ready, match up their energy and don’t allow them to score in the fastbreak and out of second chances."
Adam Mokoka, Cluj player
"We are going to face a really tough team. It was a tight game there, in Greece, and we are trying to get to our strength. We want to be tough defensively. I think we put a high standard on our team. We are aggressive and tough. I like this opportunity, I enjoy being here, and there is a lot to learn."
Roberto Gallinat, Aris player
"After three consecutive wins, we have a difficult task against a very good team. Cluj is a hard team to beat and is in a very good spot in our group, so we have to be focused and determined for 40 minutes, to get the result we want. We must reduce their scoring, control the rebounds and be effective in the offensive part, as we are lately."