Round 6 of the BKT EuroCup is headlined by a high-powered showdown between two unbeaten teams, along with several more duels between direct rivals in the playoff races. Here's your guide to the games.
This week: Group A leaders set to duel
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Tuesday, November 7
7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse
Lietkabelis (1-4) is aiming to snap a three-game losing streak as it welcomes Bourg (4-1), which got back on track last week by edging out Buducnost thanks to 21 points from teenage star Zaccharie Risacher. Lietkabelis has struggled defensively during its losing streak, allowing 99, 93 and 88 points, and will again rely on Gediminas Orelik (15.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game). Bourg will hope for more long-range heroics from Jeremy Morgan, who has made 52.3% of his shots from beyond the arc this season. Game Notes and Facts
Umana Reyer Venice vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana
Two struggling teams are looking for a boost as Reyer (1-4) hosts Cedevita (0-5). These are two of the lowest-scoring teams in the league with Reyer managing just 74.4 points per game with Cedevita a little better, averaging 77.4 Cedevita slipped to its fifth straight loss by falling in Round 5 to Wolves despite 13 rebounds from Amadou Sow, who has grabbed multiple offensive boards in every game this season. This week he goes to battle with the powerful Amadeo Tessitori, who has averaged 13.8 points and 6.4 rebounds for Reyer. Game Notes and Facts
Wednesday, November 8
U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. ratiopharm Ulm
In the first of eight games on Wednesday, Cluj (4-1) faces Ulm (4-1) for a big showdown at the top of Group 4. It's a clash of styles because Cluj has based its success on defense, allowing just 72.6 points per game - third-best in the competition. Ulm, on the other hand, boasts the fourth-ranked offense with an average of 92 points per game. That attack is powered by Dakota Mathias, who is averaging 18 points per game, and whose talents will be challenged this week by the ball thief skills of DJ Seeley, who has bagged 2.0 steals per game. Game Notes and Facts
Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria
After suffering its third straight loss with an overtime defeat to Trento last week, Turk Telekom (1-4) has the tough task of bouncing back against reigning champ Gran Canaria (5-0), which has won all six previous meetings between the teams and stayed perfect by downing Lietkabelis in Round 5. Jalen Adams has scored in double digits in every game so far this season for Turk Telekom, and his duel with Andrew Albicy could be a key in deciding the outcome. The Gran Canaria playmaker has averaged 5.2 assists so far this season, helping his team achieve an outstanding 22.2 per night. Game Notes and Facts
Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg
High-flying Besiktas (4-1) will fancy its chances of picking up a fifth win as it welcomes Hamburg (0-5). Time is running out for the German team to get its season on track and improved defense must be the priority after allowing 108 at Badalona in Round 5. The power of William Christmas - who grabbed 9 rebounds last week - can help Hamburg compete physically against the Turkish team, which boasts one of the competition's top rebounders in the form of Angel Delgado and his 7.8 boards plus 12.0 points per night. Game Notes and Facts
Wolves Vilnius vs. Prometey Slobozhanske
After kickstarting its playoff challenge with two straight victories, Wolves (2-2) will look to make it three in a row against a Prometey team (2-3) that has struggled for consistency so far this season despite leading the competition in rebounding with 42 per game, mostly thanks to Ondrey Balvin with 9.2 per night. The Lithuanian team has Rasheed Sulaimon in great form with 17.8 points per game, while Ronald March is red-hot for Prometey with 20 and 23 points in his last two games. Game Notes and Facts
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki
Two teams keen to get back on the winning track go head to head as Buducnost (2-3) hosts Aris (2-3). The home team has lost two in a row after underperforming offensively, scoring just 73 and 74 points in those losses, and will look for a spark from Mckinley Wright, who has averaged 13.8 points per game. Aris has similar problems after being held to just 59 points in last week's loss to Cluj, and now has the worst offense in the competition with just 69.4 points per game. Three-point specialist Roberto Gallinat has consistently delivered with 16.8 points per game, but Aris now needs others to step up. Game Notes and Facts
Slask Wroclaw vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento
After winning two games in a row for the first time in two years, Trento (2-3) will aim to take a further step toward the playoffs by continuing to rely on rising star Quinn Ellis, who scored 21 points without a miss in the Round 5 overtime win over Turk Telekom. Winless Slask (0-5) remains rooted to the foot of Group B but can take heart from last week's gutsy overtime loss at Ulm, where Lukasz Kolenda poured in 29 points. If the Polish team can maintain that level of performance, a first win will surely soon come. Game Notes and Facts
Paris Basketball vs. Hapoel Tel Aviv
Expect a high-scoring showdown as Paris (5-0) hosts Hapoel (4-0) for a game of 100% records loaded with offensive potential. Paris ranks second in scoring with 98.6 points per game, bettered only by Hapoel's 101.5 points per night. Five of the league's top ten individual performers will be on show, with Hapoel quartet Jaylen Hoard (23.2 PIR per game), Tomer Ginat (21.8), Xavier Munford (21.2) and Braian Angola (20.2) going up against Paris leader TJ Shorts (20.6). It's a must-watch game that could easily be repeated in the playoffs a few months from now. Game Notes and Facts
Joventut Badalona vs. London Lions
The round concludes with another titanic tussle between ambitious title aspirants as Joventut (3-2) welcomes London (3-2). After overcoming injury absences, including the still-sidelined Ante Tomic, to blast 108 points in last week's win over Hamburg, Joventut will hope that Andrew Andrews can repeat a sensational performance that saw him drain 33 points and take the weekly MVP award. London slipped to its second loss with a 90-98 thriller against Hapoel, where Donte Grantham maintained his usual high standards with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. Joventut's ability to contain him could be crucial. Game Notes and Facts