Andy West previews the latest round of games in the BKT EuroCup
At a glance: The playoff race heats up as Round 13 rolls around
Game Preview
7 Min lectura
The race for the playoffs is hotting up with Round 13 of the BKT EuroCup, featuring several matchups between direct rivals. Here is your overview of the action.
Tuesday, January 6
Besiktas GAIN Istanbul vs. ratiopharm ulm (18:00 CET)
Besiktas (8-4) will look to get its top two challenge back on track by overcoming an Ulm team (5-7) fighting for the top six. The Turkish team – which has a perfect 6-0 home record – is striving to end a two-game losing streak and needs to improve a defense which allowed 97 and 98 points in those losses, while Ulm is also looking to turn a corner after losing five of the last six. The visitorS will look for leadership from rising star Tobias Jensen (11.8 points and 4.9 assists per game), but Besiktas also packs a punch in the backcourt through Jonah Mathews, who averages 16.8 points across the last five games.
BAXI Manresa vs. Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (19:00 CET)
A pair of direct rivals on the fringes of the playoff places meet in Spain with Manresa (6-6) welcoming Aris (6-6). Both teams are looking to bounce back from heavy losses last week, and hosts Manresa have the added incentive of sealing the head-to-head advantage after winning 79-86 at Aris earlier this season. Retin Obasohan was crucial to that triumph with 20 points, and Aris will look to contain him through the relentless Bryce Jones, who has recorded eight straight double-digit scoring nights. Manresa possesses plenty of offensive rebounding threat through the likes of Pierre Oriola (multiple offensive boards in five straight games), so Aris needs big man Steven Enoch to take care of the backboards.
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul (19:00 CET)
A key battle Group A battle will see Cedevita (8-4) and Bahcesehir (8-4) break their tie for second place. The Turkish team could give a debut to new signing Jordan Ford, adding further depth to a backcourt already boasting Caleb Holmesley in fine form with an average of 16.0 points over the last three games. Cedevita snapped a two-game losing run by thrashing Aris last week, and guard Aleksej Nikolic is at his best after netting 27 and 23 points in the last two games. Bahcesehir easily won the Round 4 meeting between the teams partly thanks to Trevion Williams (18 points and 8 rebounds), and he has been a human rebounding machine in recent weeks with an average of 12.0 rebounds in the last three games.
Wednesday, January 7
Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento (17:00 CET)
Another showdown between direct rivals in Group B will see fourth-placed Turk Telekom (7-5) face fifth-placed Trento (7-5). The Italian team boosted its playoff ambitions by downing London last week, and will hope that backcourt star DeVante' Jones can stay red-hot after netting 33 points in that win. The last time Jones failed to score in double digits came in Round 4 against Turk Telekom, so the hosts will attempt to repeat that formula as it chases the win it needs to seal the head-to-head advantage. Trento will have to confront the three-point shooting of Jaleen Smith, who netted six triples in Turk Telekom’s loss at Buducnost last time out.
Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (18:00 CET)
Runaway Group B leader Bourg (10-2) will attempt to take another step towards the postseason by downing desperate Lietkabelis (3-9). The Lithuanian team kept its faint playoff hopes alive with a strong win over Ulm last week, led by 26 points from red-hot guard Micheal Flowers, and needs more of the same to avenge a 28-point thrashing at Bourg in Round 4. The French team narrowly overcame Panionios last week partly thanks to another stellar night from Both Gach, who has exceeded 20 points in three of the last four games. Bourg boasts the best defense in the competition (72.7 points allowed per game), so Lietkabelis will need to improve its competition-worst 47.3% two-point shooting conversion rate.
Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (18:30 CET)
Buducnost (8-4) will attempt to protect its position in Group B’s top two by piling more misery on rock-bottom Panionios (1-11). The Greek team fell short but delivered a much-improved performance under interim coach Nikos Karagiannis at Bourg last week, and will hope for another effective performance from forward Jackson Kreuser (16 points, 5 rebounds). Buducnost has lost its last two road games but will be confident of facing Panionios after smashing the Greek team by 28 points in Round 4, led by 16 points without a miss from shooting star Axel Bouteille, who ranks fifth in the competition with 51.7% of three-pointers converted. Panionios has only made 30% of its long-range strikes, so needs to improve that stat on Wednesday.
Slask Wroclaw vs. Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (19:00 CET)
High-flying Jerusalem (10-2) will attempt to maintain its two-game lead at the top of Group A by taking a road win from Slask (4-8). The Polish team has suffered four straight losses to fall out of the playoff places, and needs to improve a defense which has allowed 100.3 points during that run. That won't be easy against a Jerusalem team which made it nine wins in a row by blasting 105 points over Manresa last week, led by 20 points from Cassius Winston. To counter him the home team needs another top performance from Noah Kirkwood, who averages 15.4 points in the last five games. Hapoel leads the competition in field goal conversion (52.1%), so Slask’s defense needs to be at its best.
Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Neptunas Kleipeda (19:45 CET)
Neptunas (5-7) will attempt to climb into the all-important top six by ensuring that Hamburg (0-12) remains winless. The Lithuanian team has lost its last two games due to an alarming defensive dip, allowing 118 points in both games, but can rely on the remarkable consistent Rihards Lomasz, who has scored at least 14 points in nine straight games. Hamburg’s search for an elusive win took another hit with a 37-point defeat at Bahcesehir last week, despite Devon Daniels continuing his great form with 22 points. Hamburg has the worst three-point shooting record in the competition (26.7%), so needs the likes of Kenneth Ogbe (19.2% from deep) to find their range.
Umana Reyer Venice vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (20:00 CET)
A big battle in Group A will see Cluj (7-5) attempt to take a two-game margin over Reyer (6-6) by grabbing a key road win. The Italian team has won its last two games behind an outstanding offense, netting 118 points at Neptunas last time out as Kyle Wiltjer hit top gear with 28 points. Cluj has also won two straight with excellent offensive output, edging out Slask last week in a thriller thanks to a game winner from Dusan Miletic, who rediscovered his best form with 19 points and 14 rebounds. To compete with his physical presence, Reyer will need another strong night from Chris Horton, who has snared multiple steals in three straight games.
London Lions vs. NINERS Chemnitz (20:30 CET)
The round concludes with another vital matchup in Group B as seventh placed London welcomes sixth placed Chemnitz. The German team is in its best form of the season after winning three consecutive games, most recently producing a barrage of three-pointers – including 3-of-4 from Nike Sibande – to stun Besiktas last week. But London has already beaten Chemnitz once this season, triumphing 67-68 on the road in Round 4, and will hope that Kam McGusty can return from injury absence to repeat his 20-points heroics from that night. London ranks last in the competition in turnovers (15.9 per game), so needs to play with greater efficiency to seal the head-to-head advantage.