Red-hot Monaco (17-10) will look to make it seven straight wins with a visit from Zvezda (10-17) which is falling away from top-ten contention after losing five of the last six.
Ioannis Sfairopoulos, Zvezda: 'We have to be tactically firm in defense'
Seasons
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 28 of 34
Group Regular Season
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All eyes will be on Monaco ace Mike James, who needs just 12 points to overtake Vassilis Spanoulis as the competition's all-time leading scorer. James made the difference when the teams met in Round 3, with his double-double of 18 points and 11 assists helping to overcome 20 points from Rokas Giedraitis to secure a 76-82 road win for Monaco. Zvezda big men Joel Bolomboy and LukaMitrovic will also have to battle in the paint to control Donta Hall and Donatas Moteijunas, who each played a big role in Monaco's epic win at Barcelona last week.
Sasa Obradovic, Monaco head coach
"Mike's record is an eagerly-awaited magic moment, a historic mark for Mike who is having a masterful season for the Roca Team. It could happen this Thursday or next time. But we mustn't let this event distract us from what's most important, which is to put the right ingredients on the floor again so that we can follow it up with another win at home and continue our progress. We remember the difficult first leg against Red Star, and we'll need to concentrate on all aspects of the game to continue our run. We must always be determined to improve and get even better. Becoming even better must be our constant goal as we look ahead to the big challenges that lie ahead."
Ioannis Sfairopoulos, Zvezda head coach
"We will play against a team that is athletically great. Great on both sides of court, as well with their energy and intensity. We have to be tactically firm in defense, to try to disrupt their offense. Also, we need to read their defense, be patient and find the best options. We know that Monaco made for another Final FoUr, but we will fight."
Matthew Strazel, Monaco player
"We'll have to play a serious, defensive game. We know that this is a team that likes to put pressure on. Even though Etoile Rouge have trouble travelling, we're expecting a physical match. We won't be taking anything easy and we'll have to show that we're at home in order to maintain our position. We're taking it one game at a time. We wanted to get off to a good start on our last few outings, and that's what we've done, we've managed to take them all. The mistake we shouldn't make is thinking that it's going to be easy, because it won't be. We have to continue to respect the coach's game plan if we are to perform and finish as high as possible at the end of the season. And Mike? Working with him is a pleasure. I take a bit of inspiration from what he does every day. Whether it's in training or at matches. It would be stupid not to use an example like that in front of me. I do my best to learn slowly but surely, so that I can progress and reach the level at which he plays. Anything you'd like to say to him? Congratulations, Legend."
Luka Mitrovic, Zvezda player
"This is not the first time we encounter such problems this season - the absence of many players. The team already gets used to it. There was a game in which we adapted and the players played in some other positions well out of their primary positions. I don't doubt that we will compensate the absence of those guys. Monaco, on the other side, have great players especially at point guard and this is their greatest strength. James, Loyd, Okobo, Dialo... When one Kemba Walker can't get minutes, then you clearly understand what kind of players play for Monaco."