Another matchup of vital importance to both teams takes place in Belgrade with Partizan (14-17) hosting Olympiacos (19-13).
Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan: 'A team that is built for the greatest success'
The Reds edged an overtime thriller, 98-94, when the teams met in October behind 19 points from sharpshooter Giannoulis Larentzakis, and will look for more frontcourt dominance from Moustapha Fall after the Reds grabbed 18 offensive rebounds in the first meeting. Partizan's outstanding home form was disturbed with a defeat to league leader Real Madrid last time out, and Zeljko Obradovic's men will look for the energy and versatility of James Nunnally, who had 16 points and 5 rebounds in that game, as it aims for a crucial home win.
Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan head coach
"We have the experience of the game we played in the first leg of the season. It was a long time ago, but it should help us to know how to play against them. A team that is built for the greatest success, they have quality and play that has been recognizable since Georgios Bartzokas took over the team. We have a job waiting for us, to read their defense. There will be a lot of switches, there will be a lot of ball flow in the offense. They are a team that plays very patiently and a lot of things happen at the very end of the offense. When I say that, I mean the great execution in the last three or four seconds of the offense. That means we'll have to play defense for 24 seconds and be ready for it. That is the key of the game."
Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos head coach
"It's a very difficult game in a very 'hot' court. It will take lots of concentration so that the players stay within the plan. They have to control their emotions and not allow the intensity with which the opponent plays overwhelm them, of course in conjunction with the importance of the game. It's a very crucial game for both teams, but maybe even more so for Partizan. Thta's the thing. How we present ourselves. If we stay focused and stick to the plan."
Alen Smailagic, Partizan player
"We all know what kind of team Olympiacos is. All games are important to us until the end, we have to leave our hearts on the field. We want to win, we are training for it, every game is important, and we will do our best."
Isaiah Canaan, Olympiacos player
"We obviously all know about the importance of the three games left to conclude the regular season. We are focused. We expect a hard game. The atmosphere and Partizan can make it difficult for us, but we have had some good practicing days, we are focused and we are ready for the game."