In an all-Obradovic coaching battle, Monaco (13-10) will look to maintain its hot streak with a visit from direct rival Partizan (12-11).
Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan: 'We must have the greatest possible ambition'
![Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan: 'We must have the greatest possible ambition'](https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/37bec9f6-ce73-4576-926c-703de323d3e9.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A198%3A184)
Monaco, which has won two straight, needs a victory of 5 points or more to claim the head-to-head advantage after Partizan took their first meeting 89-85. That game featured 25 points from Kevin Punter and 7 assists from P.J. Dozier, who underlined his growing role in Partizan’s backcourt by netting 23 points on 10-of-12 field goal shooting in last week’s win over Zalgiris. Monaco’s narrow win at Efes last week proved there’s more to the backcourt than just league-leading scorer Mike James, as Elie Okobo (16 points) and Jordan Loyd (14) both stepped up.
Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan head coach
"We are aware of the Monaco team quality, we played against them, but we are going on the road with great ambitions, and we have to play the best possible game. We know how important all matches in the EuroLeague are, but that is logical, we go from game to game. At the moment it is Monaco with all the qualities they have. We expect a difficult game, but we must have the greatest possible ambition. It was an interesting game against Monaco last year, as well as the one we played in the first part of the EuroLeague. It can be different given that they can play with four small players or with three tall players, and sometimes with four, where they use it in defense to switch. We have to react to those things. We had some great moments in the last game, and some bad moments, so those are the things that certainly matter when we are talking about the next game."
Bruno Caboclo, Partizan player
"I expect us to play a good game. We are improving, playing very good in the EuroLeague lately. I expect that we will come home with two wins. We have to play as a team, play together with a lot of energy. We have a very good team and I think we are able to do that."