Round 14 of the BKT EuroCup will deliver several key matchups between direct rivals in the race for postseason action, including both group leaders facing in-form opponents. Here’s your guide to all the action.
At a glance: Round 14 will see the playoff races heat up
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Tuesday, January 7
ratiopharm Ulm vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria
Red-hot Ulm (9-4) will look to extend its five-game winning streak against direct rival Gran Canaria (9-4), which is determined to snap a two-game losing run. This season’s first meeting between the teams was a total mismatch, won 125-78 by the Spanish team with six different double-digit scorers led by Miquel Salvo with 20 points. After allowing Gran Canaria to dish 32 assists in that game, Ulm will look for a much tighter defense as well as maintaining the same flowing offense that delivered 104 points to defeat Besiktas last time out. That victory featured 16 points from Justinian Jessup, who has hit top form during Ulm’s winning run with double-digit scoring in six of the last seven games.
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento
In-form Hapoel (8-5) will look to continue its push towards the top of Group A with a visit from Trento (4-9), which is sliding towards elimination after losing four of its last five. Hapoel will attempt to maintain a flowing style that has delivered 21.2 assists per game, second-best in the league. Joe Ragland has led those efforts during the recent absence of Patrick Beverley, averaging 6.2 assists during the last five games. Trento can take confidence from its victory over Hapoel earlier in the season, triumphing 79-73 behind 23 points from Anthony Lamb – who will again be a key player this week after scoring at least 11 points in five consecutive games.
Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys
Two teams heading in opposite directions face an important matchup as Bourg (6-7) looks to snap a three-game losing run with a visit from Lietkabelis (4-8) which has won two of the last three. Lietkabelis, which will be fresh after the postponement of last week’s scheduled game against Cedevita, also has a chance to secure the potential head-to-head tiebreak advantage after beating the French team 84-80, powered by 22 points from big man Marko Pecarski, who is no longer with the team. Bourg desperately needs to improve its defense after allowing an average of 96.3 points during its losing run and will hope that Xavier Castaneda can continue his relentless consistency after scoring in double digits every game this season.
Valencia Basket vs. Turk Telekom Ankara
After losing two games in a row, Group B leader Valencia (12-2) will look to get back on track with a testing visit from playoff-chasing Turk Telekom (8-5). Valencia's surprising mini-slump continued last week with its second worst offensive performance of the season, netting just 74 points at Reyer, and star guard Chris Jones is searching a return to form after scoring 2 points in that defeat. Turk Telekom, on the other hand, is in great shape after beating direct rival Bourg last week to make it four consecutive victories, and Valencia will be wary of the long-range shooting threat posed by Anthony Brown after he netted 8 triples in that most recent win.
Wednesday, January 8
Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
Two teams in good form meet in Istanbul with Group A leader Bahcesehir (11-2) hosting Buducnost (6-7). The visiting team has boosted its postseason hopes by winning the last two games, most recently overcoming Trefl with 14 points and 6 assists from key backcourt presence Yogi Ferrell. Last week also saw Bahcesehir show its defensive strength with a 69-73 win at Trento, powered by Tyler Cavanaugh’s 10 points and 8 rebounds. Bahcesehir easily won the Round 5 meeting between the teams, 75-92, with Axel Bouteille providing a double-double of 21 points and 12 boards. The Turkish team boasts the best defense in the competition, allowing just 72.5 points per game, so Buducnost will need its best version to grab a key road win.
U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem
A key battle in the Group B playoff race will see joint-fourth Cluj (7-6) host joint-second Hapoel Jerusalem (8-5). The visitors have confidence restored after breaking a three-game losing streak with last week’s narrow win over Aris, while Cluj needs consistency after alternating wins with losses in the last five games. A home win would give Cluj the potential head-to-head tiebreak advantage after taking a 73-81 road victory over Jerusalem in Round 5, with Adam Mokoka just missing a double-double with 14 points and 9 boards. That was a good illustration of Cluj’s strong inside game as it is converting 60.6% of two-point shots – second-best in the league, so Jerusalem will need a strong interior defense.
Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius vs. Trefl Sopot
Wolves (7-6) will attempt to hold onto its place in the all-important top six by handing another defeat to rock bottom Trefl (0-13). The Lithuanian team will look to maintain the offensive efficiency which delivered last week’s home win over Joventut, when guard Kristupas Zemaitis delivered his best performance of the season by only missing one shot in his 17 points. Trefl has the worst offense in the EuroCup with an average of just 75.5 points per game, but did come close to an elusive win when the teams met in Round 5 – when 25 points from Marcus Weathers was not quite enough to prevent Wolves from grabbing a 92-99 overtime victory.
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki
After missing last week’s scheduled game at Lietkabelis due to adverse weather, playoff-chasing Cedevita (7-5) will be eager to get back in action with a visit from Aris (3-10). Cedevita, which could give a debut to recent signing Danilo Tasic, will look to put pressure on the visiting team after averaging 8.8 steals per game – second-best in the competition. That was the pattern of this season’s first meeting between the teams when Aris committed 16 turnovers on the way to a 75-82 home loss despite 17 points from sharpshooting Vassilis Toliopoulos, who returned to action in last week’s loss to Jerusalem. The Greek team will know all about the threat of inside dynamo Devin Robinson, who netted 18 points in that Cedevita victory.
Joventut Badalona vs. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul
Joventut (4-9) will attempt to keep its postseason hopes alive by downing a Besiktas team (7-6) scrapping to stay in the top six. The Turkish team has lost the last two games, with a leaky defense allowing 104 points in last week’s loss at Ulm. Besiktas overcame Joventut 82-76 in Round 5 behind 16 points from livewire guard Kyle Allman and will pose a major threat from deep after averaging 38.4% of three-point attempts so far – second-best in the EuroCup. The Spanish side is averaging just 78.8 points per game, but veteran big man Ante Tomic won’t give up easily on his team’s playoff hopes after continuing his great season with 18 points in last week’s loss at Wolves.
Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Umana Reyer Venice
After last week's memorable victory over Valencia, in-form Reyer (7-6) will look to strengthen its push for the playoffs against struggling Hamburg (3-10). The Italian team has won five of the last six, mostly thanks to a much-improved defense and strong physicality that has yielded 37.4 rebounds per game, third-best in the league. Backcourt star Davide Moretti will look for more success from deep after netting 4 triples in the win over Valencia, while Hamburg - which has lost four of its last five and is close to dropping out of playoff contention – will hope for long-range inspiration from Osaro Rich, who has converted 40.6% of his three-point attempts so far this season.