Rolands Smits of Zalgiris Kaunas and Derrick Williams of Panathinaikos Athens have both played important roles for their teams so far this season, and the player which shines brightest on Friday night at Zalgirio Arena could go some way to determining the winner of the game.
Smits, Williams ready to do battle when Zalgiris, Panathinaikos meet
Zalgiris comes into its clash with Panathinaikos in very good form, having gone 4-1 in its last five games and 4-0 at home overall. Smits has typically performed better at Zalgirio Arena, averaging 13.0 points across Zalgiris's four home games compared to 8.8 points in the team's six road fixtures, but last time out – on the road at Valencia Basket in Round 10 – he put up 19 points in a 76-80 victory. Ahead of the visit of Panathinaikos, Smits and his Zalgiris teammates will be keen to make it five wins from five on its home floor.
Panathinaikos enters this game against Zalgiris on the back of two straight wins in the double-round week, which means that the Greens have a record of 3-1 in its last four. During that run, Williams has averaged 15.0 points per game, although in Round 10 against LCLC ASVEL Villeurbanne he finished with 8 points. He also contributed in other ways, grabbing 6 rebounds, making 2 steals and blocking 1 shot, but he will be eager to remind everyone of his offensive prowess up against Smits on the road at Zalgiris.