On Tuesday night, Gran Canaria and Buducnost VOLI Podgorica faced off at Gran Canaria Arena in a battle between the two teams at the top of Group B. Entering Round 8, the hosts were in second place and the visitors in first, yet Gran Canaria's 79-71 overtime win meant that it leap-frogged Buducnost to lead the way in the standings.
By coming out on top, Gran Canaria maintained its 100% record at home – it has won all four of its games at Gran Canaria Arena this season – and ensured a continued upwards trajectory by recording its second win in succession. Those back-to-back wins followed a surprise 75-72 defeat to Dolomiti Energia Trento in Round 6. But that proved a singular blemish. Since Round 2, Gran Canaria has been on a 5-1 run to rise in the standings.
There have been some impressive wins in that run, but in the last two games, head coach Jaka Lakovic has led his players to victories over Turk Telekom Ankara and Buducnost, both of whom came into Round 8 with joint-best records of 5-2.