PODGORICA, Montenegro (Interstat) — Cluj-Napoca will visit Studentski Centar on Friday at Moraca Sports Center in Podgorica, Montenegro, in a matchup of teams looking to improve their early-season records. Cluj-Napoca enters at 3-4, while Studentski Centar is 0-3.

Cluj-Napoca’s most recent outing was an 89-72 home loss to London Lions. Uros Plavsic produced 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks in that game. Malcolm Hill added 14 points and five rebounds, and Jalyn McCreary had 11 points and four rebounds. Plavsic has been a consistent interior presence in recent games. He had nine points and 12 rebounds at Spartak Subotica and 16 points and eight rebounds at Siauliai. Those performances make him the primary player to watch for Cluj-Napoca as it tries to generate offense on the road. Cluj-Napoca also has wins against Venezia and at Vienna this season, along with losses to Dubai and at Maxima Roma. The team has scored at least 72 points in each of its last three games and has topped 90 three times this season.

Studentski Centar’s most recent result was a 108-90 loss at Dubai. Aleksa Uskukovic led the way with 22 points, two rebounds and 10 assists. Marko Pavicevic scored 16 points and grabbed three rebounds, while Antonio Jordano finished with 14 points. Uskukovic is the focal point for the home side and will be counted on to create shots for himself and teammates. Studentski Centar also dropped a home game to Bosna 100-91 and fell at Zadar 79-65 earlier this season. The home team remains in search of its first win and will look to use the Moraca Sports Center crowd to set an early tone. Studentski Centar has scored 91, 65 and 90 points in its first three games and has allowed at least 100 points in two of those contests.

The game features two teams at different points in their seasons. Cluj-Napoca has won three times, while Studentski Centar is still seeking its first victory. Plavsic’s rebounding and finishing inside will be central to Cluj-Napoca’s hopes of controlling the paint, while Studentski Centar will need secondary contributors to support Uskukovic. Cluj-Napoca is scheduled to visit Frankfurt next, and Studentski Centar is set to host Lovcen Cetinje next. Cluj-Napoca then visits Partizan and Tenerife, while Studentski Centar travels to Teodo Tivat and hosts Ilirija. The home side will need support from Pavicevic and Jordano around Uskukovic.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Studentski Centar 99, Cluj-Napoca 96. Studentski Centar has been installed as a -9 pregame favorite, and the over/under is 172.5.