Sam Dekker was the difference maker for London Lions against U-BT Cluj-Napoca from his first seconds on the court. 

‘Proud’ Dekker looked like his old self in leading London to semis

The signing of [Sam Dekker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sam-dekker/009672/) on August 7, 2022, was a move that helped put the London Lions on the basketball map. Dekker was expected to be the face of the franchise and a star on the court as the club entered a new era in the EuroCup.

He delivered immediately in that first season, eventually earning a spot on the All-EuroCup Second Team, while leading London to a playoff berth.

This season had not gone as well for Dekker. Injuries limited him to only seven appearances in the regular season and he was a non-factor in the eighthfinals with just 6 points in 17 minutes. And then came the quarterfinals.

Dekker was the difference maker against U-BT Cluj-Napoca from his first seconds on the court. Introduced into the game with 3:39 to go in the opening quarter, Dekker promptly scored on his first two touches to help double the lead. He then ended the quarter with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to put the Lions up 17-28.

Sam Dekker's best plays from the eighthfinals

Sam Dekker s best plays from the eighthfinals

When the final buzzer sounded, Dekker led London with a season-high 21 points in 23:47 minutes. He made 5 of 8 two-pointers and 2 of 5 threes and also tallied 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal for a PIR of 23. He essentially looked like his old self.

Dekker’s dominant showing helped the team win even though star center Gabe Olaseni missed the game to attend the birth of his first child.  

Cycling back to Dekker as the face of the franchise, he focused his joy after the game on the club and not on his personal return to form after an injury plagued season:

“I am so proud of our team. I am so proud of our coaching staff, our whole organization. We have been through a lot the last two years,” Dekker said. “I am really proud of being a part of it and helping grow this into something that is very special.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;𝘐&#39;𝘮 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭&quot;<br><br>21 points and a Semifinals ticket for Sam Dekker🎟️ <a href="https://t.co/sbSr1tGGn0">pic.twitter.com/sbSr1tGGn0</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1767994618312839500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He also made sure to credit the fantastic atmosphere at BT-Arena and sent a message that he and London are still hungry for more. Those are exactly the notes you want your franchise player to hit after winning such a game.

“The fans were amazing tonight. What a great environment,” Dekker added. "This is what basketball is all about and we have a lot of fun things ahead, unfinished business for us. And I couldn’t be more proud of what we were able to do again tonight.”

It was a night of great news for London, which won with its best player missing and reached the semifinals for the first time. As the team settles in to watch Thursday night’s Paris Basketball versus Joventut Badalona quarterfinal, knowing it will face the winner in the semis, it can do so with the confidence of knowing that Dekker is back in form and with him clicking alongside Olaseni, Matt Morgan, David Nwaba and the rest of the crew, London is a much more dangerous squad.  

Game News

The Lions’ franchise player came up big in the quarterfinals win in Romania

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v London Lions (2024-03-13T17:00:00.000Z)

Its second road win in elimination games in as many weeks, this one in epic comeback fashion, has Besiktas headed to the semifinals.

Besiktas made history by getting back to basics

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul pulled off [the biggest comeback in the club's history](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/besiktass-starters-stepped-up-big-in-sublime-second-half/) in the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals [to eliminate higher-ranked Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv on Wednesday](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ec2324-qf-d-report-hta-bes/). 

Despite boasting the fourth-best defense in the competition with an average 80.3 points conceded before the game, the Turkish side allowed Hapoel to score 57 points by halftime. Hapoel's biggest lead of the game came at 47-26 with 3:54 left in the second quarter. It was clear at halftime that many things needed to be changed by Besiktas to keep any hope of making the semifinals alive.

What followed after the break was a scenario that even the most optimistic Besiktas fan may have struggled to imagine. 

### Physicality and aggressiveness were key

The Turkish side outscored Hapoel 19-29 in the third quarter and held their opponents to 13 points in the fourth to clinch a glorious victory at the Avia Solutions Group Arena in Vilnius. 

"\[After the break\] we changed our mentality," said [Matthew Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/), who scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half. "\[In the first half\] we came out and played kind of soft. We were afraid to foul, afraid to slow down their pace. A few of us got in foul trouble early and things just kind of snowballed from there. So, we came out in the second half and just had a whole new outlook. We tried to play the game like it was 0-0 and just kept playing at 100% percent and it worked in our favor tonight."

Matthew Mitchell (22 points) Highlights vs. Hapoel Tel Aviv, 03/13/2024

Matthew Mitchell highlights in quarterfinals against Hapoel

Inspired by head coach Dusan Alimpijevic, who now boasts a sublime 5-2 record in EuroCup elimination games, all of which were played on the road, Besiktas bounced back in style after the break. After the game, Alimpijevic labelled Besiktas's second half against Hapoel as "one of the best in my coaching career" and attributed it to his players' ability to dig deep and get back to factory settings. 

"To come back after trailing by 20 and to play this way in the second half is something really special," he said in the post-game flash interview. "We just came back to our basics. Our basics are physicality, character and being aggressive. For sure that's not what we had in the first half, so we just came back to what we've been so far. I'm really proud of my team. A special group of people."

### Anatomy of a comeback

At halftime, Hapoel was on its way to reach its average of 96.1 points, which is the second-best mark in the competition. Meanwhile, Besiktas's defense couldn't find ways to contain an extraordinary Will Cummings. The Hapoel guard finished the game with 28 points, 5 rebounds and 7 drawn fouls for a PIR of 32 points, but he managed to score just 3 points in the closing quarter. That's when Besiktas tightened up its defense and dominated the boards to impose its game on Hapoel, dictate the tempo and record an 89-94 victory. 

The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius hosts this meeting. The two sides win in opposite ways and styles of basketball, and though this is only the second EuroCup season for Hapoel, while Besiktas returned to the competition for the first time in eight years, they are familiar with the knockout stages.

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Quarterfinals Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

"It was an amazing game," Alimpijevic said in the post-game press conference. "This is something that the EuroCup needs. I think that their biggest lead was by 21 points at some point. So at halftime we talked about this, and we talked about how we want to say goodbye to the EuroCup. Is this what we are, what we were and what we'll be in the future? So, it was very simple. We had to go out, fight, show some character and dignity, and play what is our game. And our game is this: 19 and 13 points \[conceded\] in the third and fourth quarter \[respectively\]. Our game is 18 offensive rebounds. Our game is that character that we showed."

### 'We live for playoff moments'

A Besiktas side that finished sixth in Group A with a 9-9 record has managed to pull some huge upsets on the way to the semifinals. First came a victory away at Paris Basketball in 63-68 in Round 8. This remains Paris's only EuroCup defeat so far this season. Then, came a 78-80 road win to eliminate defending champion Dreamland Gran Canaria from the eighthfinals. And now, Alimpijevic has led his men to yet another incredible triumph thanks to an epic comeback.

"I'm very proud of us," Mitchell said. "In critical moments of the season where we found ourselves not having a rhythm, we found a way to come together and win big games. I think we live for playoff moments and big games like this."

What comes next is a best-of-three matchup against a Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse side that has recorded just one home loss this season. The first game will take place in France, but then the Besiktas fans will have an opportunity to experience a EuroCup Semifinal clash at the Besiktas Akatlar Sports & Events Hall. Having already led Frutti Extra Bursaspor to the finals in 2022, when he was voted EuroCup Coach of the Year, Alimpijevic will now see if he can get there again, only this time with the benefit of one home game.

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2024-03-13T17:30:00.000Z)

Four of the five Besiktas players who were included in the starting five by head coach Dusan Alimpijevic combined for an extraordinary 75 points to inspire their team to a come-from-behind victory over Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv.

Besiktas’s starters stepped up big in sublime second half

Things didn’t look that good when the Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul players and coaching staff headed to the locker room at halftime against Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv at the Avia Solutions Group Arena in Vilnius. The Turkish side was trailing 57-39, with their defense having no answers against Hapoel’s offensive prowess and their stars struggling to find a rhythm.

However, a historic second-half comeback saw Besiktas turn the game around to grab a huge 89-94 victory and qualify for the BKT EuroCup Semifinals for the first time in the club’s history. This comeback win came courtesy of the team’s character, with the starters making the difference by coming to the fore when the team needed them most. In fact, four of the five players who were included in the starting five by head coach Dusan Alimpijevic combined for an extraordinary 75 points to inspire their team to victory.

Jonah Mathews tied his career-high vs. Hapoel

Jonah Mathews tied his career-high vs Hapoel

Jonah Mathews netted 17 points in the second half, including Besiktas’s last 5 points of the game to tie his career-high of 28 points. Delgado fouled out with 4:22 left on the clock, but by that time he had already managed to register his eighth double-double of the season by pairing his 11 points with 12 rebounds. Matthew Mitchell also recorded a career-high 22 points, 16 of which came after the break. Last but not least, Derek Needham finished the game with 14 points, including a couple of big triples in the fourth quarter to help his team turn the game around.

In the glorious second half, where Besiktas completed the biggest comeback in club history, the aforementioned four starters combined for 45 of their team’s 55 points. They netted all but 2 of Besiktas’s 26 points in an incredible fourth quarter, allowing the Turkish side to take its first lead of the game (81-82) with 7:47 remaining. Alimpijevic’s men maintained that lead until the final whistle, with Mathews, Delgado, Mitchell and Needham stepping up to seal back-to-back victories on the road.

What follows, is a best-of-three matchup against a strong Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse in the semifinals, but the Turkish side proved for yet another time that they can beat any team. The French team may hold the home-court advantage, but Besiktas demonstrated in Vilnius that it has what it takes to turn things around.

The first unit had all but 2 of the team’s points in the decisive fourth quarter 

Josh Sharma matched his career-high in scoring for the second week in a row by posting 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in helping the London Lions defeat U-BT Cluj-Napoca 79-91.

Josh Sharma filled Olaseni’s big shoes for London 

The London Lions faced an unexpected challenge when they traveled to Romania for their BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals clash against U-BT Cluj-Napoca without their best player. Star center [Gabe Olaseni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/gabe-olaseni/006600/), who is third in the competition in average PIR and in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding, remained home to attend the birth of his first child.

Any concerns about how London would handle the hard work in the paint against Cluj’s big men were answered by [Josh Sharma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/josh-sharma/012020/). The second-year center matched his career-high in scoring for the second week in a row by posting 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in a season-high 22:23 minutes. His contributions proved vital as London held on to defeat Cluj 79-91 to advance to the semifinals for the first time.

Josh Sharma highlights against Cluj

Sharma had not scored in double figures in any game all season before going for 12 points without missing any shots and a season-high PIR of 19 in the Lions’ eighthfinals victory over Turk Telekom Anakra. He was up for the challenge again against Cluj.

On top of his raw numbers, which also include an assist and 1 steal in compiling a PIR of 18, Sharma proved to be a non-stop defensive factor as a rim-protector, which led to other missed shots or shots simply not attempted.

Sharma averaged 4.6 points and 2.1 rebounds for a PIR of 4.6 in his 17 regular-season appearances, but has been worth 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for a PIR of 18.5 in London’s two playoff games. He has proven himself to be a prime-time performer and one worth keeping an eye on in the semis.

With the Lions’ star center at home, his backup came through with a fine performance

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul pulled off one of the most impressive comebacks in BKT EuroCup history to beat Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in the quarterfinal at the Avia Solutions Group Arena in Vilnius on Wednesday. 

Besiktas produces historic comeback to eliminate Hapoel, 89-94

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul pulled off one of the most impressive comebacks in BKT EuroCup history to beat Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in the quarterfinal at the Avia Solutions Group Arena in Vilnius on Wednesday. The guests trailed by as many as 21 points in the second quarter and Hapoel took a 57-39 lead into the second half, but the Turkish side outscored its opponent 32-55 after the break to clinch a spot in the semifinals. There, Besiktas will face Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse in a best-of-three matchup, with the French team holding the home-court advantage.

Jonah Mathews paced Besiktas with 28 points, Matthew Mitchell netted 22 and Derek Needham added 14, with Angel Delgado completing a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds. For Hapoel, Will Cummings recorded a season-high 28 points and Jaylen Hoard scored 16, with Bar Timor and Tomar Ginat registering 13 points each.

The game started with the two centers, Alexander and Angel Delgado, scoring a basket each from inside before Ginat netted back-to-back buckets for a 6-2 Hapoel lead. A Mathews triple was followed by a Braian Angola free throw and a Cummings three-point play, with the hosts gaining a 10-5 cushion. Delgado responded with a three-point play of his own, but layups by J’Covan Brown and Cummings made it 14-8 for the Israeli side. Then, Hapoel went on a 6-0 run, with Cummings taking his tally to 9 points for a 21-8 lead. Four Hapoel free throws and a Berk Ugurlu three-pointer in the last seconds saw the hosts take a 25-15 cushion into the second quarter.

Hoard opened the second 10 minutes with his first field goal of the night before he and Ugurlu hit a couple of free throws each, 29-17. A Needham triple was followed by a layup and a transition three-pointer by Timor, 34-20. Back-to-back Cummings buckets and 5 unanswered points from Angola gave Hapoel a 43-24 lead midway through the second quarter. Then, the two teams upped the pace, but that exchange of blows favored Hapoel, which grabbed a 47-26 cushion. Besiktas showed character and responded with a 2-11 surge to cut the difference to 49-37, with Mitchell netting 6 points and Needham nailing his second triple of the night. However, Timor and Hoard stepped up in the closing stages and Hapoel responded with an 8-2 run of their own for a 57-39 lead at halftime.

Game Videos

The second half started with a tough Mitchell triple off the glass, a Delgado bucket and back-to-back Mathews triples for a 1-14 run to bring Besiktas within 58-53. Cummings and Mathews traded triples before the former netted a second in a row to restore a double-digit lead, 66-56. Yet, 4 points from Marko Simonovic and back-to-back Mathews baskets trimmed the deficit to 70-66. Two straight Hoard put-back baskets were followed by an Ugurlu layup, but another bucket from the former gave Hapoel a 76-68 cushion heading into the closing quarter.

Mitchell netted a couple of free throws, Simonovic dunked and Mathews nailed bucket that brought Besiktas within 78-74. Then, it began raining triples in Vilnius, with Needham, Mitchell and Cummings netting one each before a Delgado basket from inside put the Turkish side ahead 81-82. A Mitchell bucket was followed by triples from Mitchell and Needham, with Besiktas maintaining an 84-87 lead midway through the last quarter. Delgado netted a hard-fought bucket after downing an offensive rebound before Xavier Munford and Mitchell traded triples, 88-92, with 3:42 remaining. Defenses tightened up and the two sides didn’t score a single point until Alexander made 1 of 2 from the line with 33 seconds left on the clock. After a missed Mitchell bucket, Hapoel had the last possession, but Mathews got a huge steal. The Besiktas guard drew a foul and hit both free throws to put the game to bed and clinch qualification to the semifinals for the visitors.

The Turkish side trailed by 21 in the second quarter before roaring back

The London Lions overpowered U-BT Cluj-Napoca 79-91 at BT-Arena on Wednesday to reach the BKT EuroCup Semifinals for the first time. 

London overpowers Cluj, 79-91, to advance 

The London Lions overpowered U-BT Cluj-Napoca 79-91 at BT-Arena on Wednesday to reach the BKT EuroCup Semifinals for the first time. The visitors never trailed after the first score and pushed the margin to 20 in the fourth quarter before a late rally by the Romanian champs. London will face the winner of Thursday’s clash between Paris Basketball and Joventut Badalona in the best-of-three semifinals.

Sam Dekker scored a season-high 21 points to lead five London scorers in double figures. David Nwaba added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals, Josh Sharma posted 12 posted 12 points, 7 boards and 2 blocks, Conor Morgan netted 11 points and Jordan Taylor 10. Bryce Jones scored a personal-best 23 points for Cluj in defeat. D.J. Seeley and Mareks Mejeris contributed 15 points apiece and Adam Mokoka had 11.

### Dekker dominates early

After Seeley opened the scoring, London got back-to-back threes from Tarik Phillip to climb in front. Jones’s second basket trimmed the deficit to 9-10, but then Nwaba erupted with a pair of scores and a block. Then London made a series of subs and Dekker took his first touch for a three-point play and his second for a floater and a 10-point lead. Cluj fought back with the next 6 points, but Sharma came up big inside and Dekker beat the first-quarter buzzer with a triple to make it 18-29.

### Visitors roll with 0-11 run

The energy in the stands picked up as Cluj rallied to within 26-31 on a Patrick Richard jumper. After the TV timeout, Mokoka drew the hosts within 3. London bounced back with 8 unanswered points – including a pair of Conor Morgan threes – to prompt a Cluj timeout. Free throws by Nwaba and Matt Morgan completed a 0-11 run to lead 28-42. Jones connected from deep to give the hosts hope, however, Matt Morgan and Dekker combined for the next 7 points as the margin soared to 31-49. Mejeris got Cluj within 37-51 at the break.

### Cluj makes its move

Cluj came out for the second half with a renewed defensive effort and after 5 minutes, the margin was down to 50-61 after Jones put his own miss back in. London called timeout only to see Mokoka connect from deep to get within 8. London regrouped with Sharma stepping up at both ends of the floor. A three by Taylor and another block by Sharma ended the third quarter with London in control 60-74.

### London survives late scare

Back-to-back threes by Taylor and Luke Nelson top open the fourth quarter pushed the difference to 20 points. Cluj hit right back with threes by Seeley and Jarell Eddie. Seeley and Mejeris completed a 10-0 run to get within 70-80 with 5 minutes to play. Taylor revived London with his third three of the night, but Mejeris further trimmed the gap to 8. Nwaba scored a pair of key baskets to keep London in control and as Cluj’s comeback ran out of time.

It becomes the first British team to reach the last four in EuroCup history

The BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals continue tonight with the showdown between Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv and Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul. All four quarterfinal duels are one-game clashes, so the players will leave everything on the floor. Just like in the previous round, the EuroCupbasketball.com staff members who follow the competition as closely as anyone have made their predictions for each game.

Quarterfinals predictions: Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul

The BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals continue tonight with [the showdown between Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv and Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/188/). All four quarterfinal duels are one-game clashes, so the players will leave everything on the floor. Just like in the previous round, the [EuroCupbasketball.com](http://EuroCupbasketball.com) staff members who follow the competition as closely as anyone have made their predictions for each game.

### Hapoel to go through

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

For the third time this season Hapoel and Besiktas go against one another, and in a third different neutral venue, but for the first time with the crowd in the stands. Hapoel swept their regular-season series, including a 21-point win in the Round 18 finale. However, Besiktas had nothing to play for on that night while Hapoel was highly motivated to clinch second place in Group A. And Besiktas is a lot more confident team now than what they were in early February, especially after ousting Gran Canaria with an eighthfinals road win last week. But Hapoel (96.1 ppg.) averages 17 points more per game than Besiktas (79.0 ppg.), and has seven different players averaging double digits in scoring this season. I think, in a do-or-die game, such depth and Hapoel's individual quality of Jaylen Hoard (16.2 ppg., 4.8 rpg.), Xavier Munford (15.9 ppg.), Will Cummings (12.8 ppg.) or J'Covan Brown (12.2 ppg., 6.5 apg.) will make the difference. I expect a close battle, because coach Dusan Alimpijevic and playmaker Derek Needham will not allow Besiktas to fold, but Hapoel will pull out a win and earn a place in the semifinals. My pick: Hapoel.

Subsequent to claiming the prestigious prize of Group A leader in Paris, Besiktas faces another major road challenge with a trip to face Hapoel, which boasts the league's most potent offense with an average of 97.9 ppg and was at its fluid best when hitting a century at the expense of Joventut.

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

### Hapoel should stay hot

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

These teams are meeting for the third time this season and the first two finished the same way: with Hapoel victorious. The first time the game was close with Hapoel winning by 6. Then, head coach Danny Franco's team upgraded with the additions of Will Cummings and Dez Wells. Their second victory came by 21. Besiktas has dangerous weapons in Angel Delgado inside and Jonah Matthews, Derek Needham and Kyle Allman on the perimeter. But Hapoel boasts a much deeper and more experienced lineup. If Hapoel controls the glass and can run, Besiktas will struggle to keep up. A slower pace favors the visitors, but even so, it is tough to contain Hapoel for four quarters. The backcourt of J'Covan Brown and Cummings and frontcourt of Kyle Alexander and Jaylen Hoard cannot be taken lightly. My pick: Hapoel.

### Hapoel survives the challenge

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

Hapoel takes on Besiktas in what promises to be a hard-fought physical battle in Vilnius, Lithuania. Besiktas sent a message that echoed around continental basketball by dethroning Dreamland Gran Canaria on the road last week. Among its strengths are head coach Dusan Alimpijevic and former All-EuroLeague playmaker Derek Needham leading a team that's really versatile on the wings and anchored by center Angel Delgado, who ranks second in rebounds at 9.6 per night. Hapoel, however, has all it takes to win this game. Will Cummings and J'Covan Brown are experienced guards, Jaylen Hoard and Braian Angola are excellent one-on-one players and, above all, Kyle Alexander and Tomer Ginat can play good defense on Delgado. No surprises here: Hapoel survives this strong test and advanced to the semifinal. My pick: Hapoel.

Hapoel kept its top-two fate in its own hands by breaking a three-game losing streak at Joventut with 19 points from recently signed Will Cummings, whereas Turkish-giants Besiktas have fallen in three of their previous four outing but are armed with the talents of Derek Needham to excel in the backcourt.

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul-Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv | Round 18 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

### Besiktas to surprise Hapoel in Vilnius

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Hapoel and Besiktas are already familiar with one another, having faced off twice during the regular season ahead of Wednesday’s quarterfinal bout. The Israeli side comes into this meeting 2-0 in this series after winning 81-75 in Round 9 and 73-94 in Round 18, but Besiktas showed in the EuroCup Eighthfinals that it has what it takes to cause an upset, defeating Dreamland Gran Canaria 78-80 on the road. Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic is one of the best motivators around and he has experience of guiding a team on a fairy-tale run, having taken Frutti Extra Bursaspor to the EuroCup Final just two years ago. I expect him to have his players ready to run through a brick wall, with the likes of Jonah Mathews, Derek Needham and Angel Delgado all set for big games. My pick: Besiktas.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">📍 Vilnius <br>✈️ Litvanya yolculuğumuz.<br>🏆 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BKTEuroCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BKTEuroCup</a> | Çeyrek Final <br>🔜 13.03.2024 | 20.30 <br>🦅 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Be%C5%9Fikta%C5%9FEmlakjet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeşiktaşEmlakjet</a> <a href="https://t.co/2mVWpYZabK">pic.twitter.com/2mVWpYZabK</a></p>&mdash; Beşiktaş Emlakjet (@BJK_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol/status/1767277260929704129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Hapoel has more routes to victory

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

It's another offense vs. defense affair, with Hapoel dominant in nine of 12 major offensive statistics and Besiktas in eight of 12 on defense. The fact that all those rankings came within the same group, save for Besiktas winning its eightfinals matchup against defending champion Dreamland Gran Canaria, makes those stats viable. Besiktas cannot outscore Hapoel in a game with a lot of possessions; that much was clear from its two earlier losses to the Israeli club. But keeping turnovers low and rebounds high while limiting Hapoel's significantly better shooting percentages is one route to victory for Besiktas, perhaps the only one. Hapoel has many more routes to choose from, and even if its machine-like scoring becomes more difficult in the face of solid defense, should find solid solutions. If the game is close, though, watch out for Besiktas. My pick: Hapoel.

The BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals continue tonight with the showdown between U-BT Cluj Napoca and the London Lions. All four quarterfinal duels are one-game clashes, so the players will leave everything on the floor. Just like in the previous round, the EuroCupbasketball.com staff members who follow the competition as closely as anyone have made their predictions for each game.

Quarterfinals predictions: U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. London Lions

The BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals continue tonight with the [showdown between U-BT Cluj Napoca and the London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/u-bt-cluj-napoca-london-lions/U2023/186/). All four quarterfinal duels are one-game clashes, so the players will leave everything on the floor. Just like in the previous round, the [EuroCupbasketball.com](http://EuroCupbasketball.com) staff members who follow the competition as closely as anyone have made their predictions for each game. 

### Cluj's centers do the trick

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

I expect a very balanced game here. London is loaded with talent – particularly since [David Nwaba](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/david-nwaba/012797/) joined and [Sam Dekker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sam-dekker/009672/) re-joined the team – and has six double-digits scorers. Cluj has its own strengths, though. First, its home-court advantage will be legitimate, with 10,000 fans at BT-Arena. Second, Cluj has a core of long-tenured players who know how to play with each other. And third, I like Cluj's chances in the battle for the paint. Even when London features [Gabe Olaseni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/gabe-olaseni/006600/), who ranks third in PIR (20.9), and [Josh Sharma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/josh-sharma/012020/) comes off a big eighthfinals performance against Turk Telekom Ankara (19 PIR), I believe [Andrija Stipanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrija-stipanovic/005113/) and [Emanuel Cate](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/emanuel-cate/005373/) give Cluj the edge at center. Stipanovic and Cate combine for 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and a PIR of 25.5 in less than 40 minutes. One or both will be ready to dominate the paint and take Olaseni into foul trouble. I believe Cluj will make history and reach the semifinals. **My pick: Cluj.**

Andrija Stipanovic and Emanuel Cate combine for 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and a PIR of 25.5 in less than 40 minutes so far this season.

Stipanovic, Cate anchor Cluj's offense

### Lions conquer Cluj's den

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

Wednesday is going to be a huge night in Cluj-Napoca as the fans at the packed BT-Arena try to help their team reach European semifinal for the first time ever. Cluj has weapons and experience everywhere, from [D.J. Seeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dennis-seeley/004862/) and [Patrick Richard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-richard/011801/) in the backcourt to sharpshooter [Jarell Eddie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jarell-eddie/010569/) and big man Andrija Stipanovic. But they host the London Lions, a team equally ambitious and even more balanced. London has a star guard in [Matthew Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-morgan/012585/) (17.2 ppg., 4.1 apg.), star forwards David Nwaba and Sam Dekker, and a dominant big man Gabe Olaseni (15.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg.). Its great depth and offensive firepower saw London score 60 points in the first half of the eighthfinals game against Turk Telekom Ankara. What's more London loves playing away, racking up an 8-1 road record this season. I say London is the one that will make history by becoming the first British team to reach the EuroCup Semifinals. **My pick: London.**

### The Lions will roar

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

Did you see what happened in the eighthfinals last week? Not only did London take care of business against Turk Telekom Ankara, but all four Group A teams were victorious against their Group B opponents. If we are taking that to assume that Group A is stronger, then what can we make of the fact that London had a 12-6 record in the "tougher" group and Cluj a 13-5 record in the "weaker" one? Moreover, London was 8-1 on the road this season and its roster is stronger than ever with the mid-season addition of David Nwaba and the return of Sam Dekker from injury. Cluj was 7-2 at home this season and its advantage at BT-Arena should not be taken for granted. Nevertheless, I see London as the stronger side. **My pick: London.**

David Nwaba, Gabe Olaseni and Matt Morgan have taken the London Lions to the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals!

London's big three: David Nwaba, Gabe Olaseni and Matt Morgan

### Cluj in a close one

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

It's rare to see a team play so lopsidedly better on the road as London has this season, going 8-1 when crossing the English Channel and 4-5 at home. None of those road wins came with quite the atmosphere expected at BT-Arena on Wednesday, nor with the same do-or-die pressure. Cluj was a solid 7-2 at home and boasts talent and experience. So does London, however, and the visitors are blessed with athleticism, too. This game will come down to how much London's athleticism is allowed to thrive. Cluj has won games scoring 120 points, 61 points and everything in between this season, so its adaptability is there. London has had the firepower to play from ahead a lot, so if this game is close, it's to Cluj's advantage. Both teams were perfect this season in games they led at halftime, London 9-0 and Cluj 8-0. But entering the fourth quarter behind, Cluj was better, 4-1 to London's 3-3. With the crowd on its side and the stakes high, look for Cluj to pull out a close one here. **My pick: Cluj.**

### London will make a statement in Cluj-Napoca

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

The London Lions thoroughly impressed by thumping Turk Telekom Ankara 100-77 in the EuroCup Eighthfinals, reaching the 100-point mark for the sixth time this season, and I think they will continue to shine when they go on the road to face U-BT Cluj-Napoca. After all, London comes into the quarterfinals with the second-best road record in the competition, having gone 8-1 on its travels in the regular season. Cluj was very good at home all season long, going 7-2, and gets its playoff journey now after finishing second in Group B and thus bypassing the eighthfinals. Matt Morgan, Gabe Olaseni, Sam Dekker, David Nwaba… London has a ton of talent at its disposal and I think it will quieten a raucous crowd inside BTarena en route to a victory on Wednesday night. **My pick: London.**

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ht" dir="ltr">TOUCHDOWN IN CLUJ 🛬🇷🇴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreLondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreLondon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/POrdB025jf">pic.twitter.com/POrdB025jf</a></p>&mdash; London Lions (@LondonLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonLions/status/1767569007182332414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tyler Cook, Joventut: 'The job is never finished'

Hello again! As you saw, we made it to the quarterfinals. Since I signed, players have been coming and going. We added Shannon Evans. It's been a process, we needed time to kind of gel and get used to each other and figure out what works for us on the court. I think we're doing a good job with that. The job is never finished for us, there are always things that we can improve on. But I think as long as we are taking steps in the right direction every time we step on the floor and we are getting wins in the process, that makes everything a lot easier. As long as we keep improving, you will continue to see a better version of us.

We had a long break before the eighthfinals game against Ulm. Personally, I rested and got healthier. I was a little banged up going into the break, so having a few days off really helped me out a lot. We had two three-day weekends, so that was the time that we got to recover and step away for a little bit. And then we came in, the guys that were here, we got to work out, played two-on-two or three-on-three. We had one day of four-on-four with some of the younger guys too, watched film and kind of kept ourselves sharp and ready. And I think when everybody joined the group, we just hit the ground running.

Then in Ulm, we played a really good first half. I think the rest helped us out a ton. It's a long season and we have families. We have other things that we do and sometimes it's just good to step away and take a breath. I think we came back more energized, hungry and excited to compete. And I think that's shown in a couple of games since we have been back, especially at home. In Ulm, we played a pretty decent first half. They are a good team, so they came back and gave us a challenge in the second half. But I think being able to stick together and fight through that adversity was a byproduct of us having a different energy about us.

"I'm excited to be able to get out there and compete against Paris again."

I heard a couple of times that we had lost against Ulm two years ago, but it wasn't something that we spoke too much about. I think Coach might have brought it up a couple of weeks ago when we first found out we were playing them. Credit to the coaches and our teammates, as we just focused on the present. We didn't really we didn't harp too much on what happened a couple of years ago. Obviously, there was a little bit of want for payback, I guess. But that's a different team. We are a different team now, so we just came out, competed and won the game.

Our next opponent is Paris Basketball, who beat us twice earlier this season. I was only here for one of those games against them, which was obviously the second time we played them. They made some huge shots at the end of the game and beat us with some tough plays. But I think for us it was encouraging, and almost kind of exciting, to see that we would have won the game with a couple more stops. I think the whole team is excited. I know I'm excited to be able to get out there and compete against them again. It will be highly competitive, very exciting and obviously a chance to move on in the tournament. So I think we are all excited about that opportunity.

It definitely can be done. It takes a lot of focus and a lot of intention because they play somewhat of a different style of basketball. I won't say an NBA style, but they get up and down the court as an NBA team would, like they run in transition. They get quick threes up, quick layups. They have a lot of different guys on that team who can be effective. We have played them twice, I have played them once, so I got a good look at them. I think it's just being focused, understanding what they are trying to do, what their goals are, understanding their personnel and then just being locked in and focused, and executing to the best of our ability once we get there. I think we will be ready for Paris.

Tyler Cook joined Joventut Badalona early in the 2023-24 season.

2023-24 EuroCup highlights: Tyler Cook, Joventut Badalona

I think our team does a good job of staying in the moment, not necessarily looking too far forward or too far back. Obviously, the team's veterans do a great job of telling me things and educating me on some different things when that time comes. But one of my favorite things about our players is that we don't really overtalk when it's not necessary, we just come out and try to compete and play hard. And I think we are a pretty unified and together team. So I think that goes much further than lip service does.

When we played them last at their place, I thought we did a good job. I thought we had a good balance. Obviously, we want to play at our pace, play the style of basketball that suits our personnel but at the same time, you have to respect what they do. And so I think if we kind of find that same balance as we did in the last game, it's not going to be easy. They are going to score and make runs. but I think that we are a team that can do the same on both ends of the court. I think just getting a couple more stops at the end of that game may turn out a little bit differently. It will exciting and we will find different ways to be effective.

"The reason why guys work so hard in the off-seasons and there is more pressure this time of year is because of what's on the line."

This is the reason why we do it. I think it wouldn't be as much fun if all we did was play regular season games and that was it. For everybody, the reason why guys work so hard in the off-seasons and there is more pressure this time of year is because of what's on the line and what you know is possible to achieve. I know for me, this is the most exciting part of the year and I think the rest of the team would agree. It brings more nerves, but it also brings more excitement. If we make it to the semifinals, we will play at least one more game at home. Everybody loves to play big games at home and I think we have one of the best crowds that I have seen, period. When our people come out and show up, it's a huge advantage for us, so that would be awesome, amazing. We obviously have to get the job done in Paris first, but if we can get back here, that only helps us out even more!

Paris Basketball v Joventut Badalona (2024-03-14T19:45:00.000Z)