Cluj built a 20-point margin in the third quarter and cruised the rest of the way to register its 10th win of the season.
Cluj secured postseason spot with an eye for more
Article
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 14 of 18
Regular Season
group b
U-BT Cluj-NapocaUBT
9074
Aris Midea ThessalonikiARI
group b
Overview
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There was not much doubt about the outcome at BT-Arena on Wednesday night where U-BT Cluj-Napoca dominated on defense and rolled on offense en route to a playoff-clinching 90-74 win over the visiting Aris Midea Thessaloniki.
Cluj had built a 20-point margin in the third quarter and cruised the rest of the way against a visitor that has playoff aspirations of its own.
"Another great victory for us in the EuroCup so we are enjoying it, and we enjoy that we played a very good basketball," Cluj coach Mihai Silvasan said after the game.
"I think in the second half we showed a lot of quality basketball, especially on the defensive side."
Cluj won the middle two quarters 53-32, during which it forced 9 turnovers and held the visitors to 4-for-13 three-point shooting. That defense led to a bunch of fastbreaks and paved the way to a victory that sent the team into the playoffs – with an outlook for more.
Game Videos
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/53-qPl-i8LI/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Quarterfinals Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 01:53
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/03/04/AXxM86Uate29BmruUQujlATDlT87R8Ta-1741119649563.jpg]()
Zavier Simpson: 'It was crazy!'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/be601c94-1b13-4b11-a455-4f1b584d9947.jpg]()
Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Eighthfinals Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/055f73db-6dab-4f97-88cf-404b81c247b7.jpg?crop=1246%3A701%3Anowe%3A52%3A53]()
Stephens's alley-oop dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:08
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/92816f3f-c316-4c82-a8ac-6c6ffa0694bd.jpg?crop=1310%3A737%3Anowe%3A10%3A37]()
Stephens attacks the rim! Magic Moment
- 00:22
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/02/05/UuQpe2wfOHFBVPsew9SQkgv2zZtns68j-1738795224029.jpg]()
Woodbury drives baseline for poster slam! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c11bce19-a32f-4b67-9741-4be53fe450d9.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 18 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/95d78fb8-76e6-4bb6-8f46-5c908f73d153.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A135%3A159]()
Woodbury’s fastbreak slam! Magic Moment
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/f0fcf968-4842-4d13-ab6f-3abbd2ea4a9a.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A99%3A117]()
Woodbury drives baseline for poster slam! Magic Moment
- 00:27
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/29/VwiYerO6eMSF5XTf40pE2gJHLIWYglyN-1738187145494.jpg]()
Figueroa rejects from behind! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/f1f5f203-8006-48de-b07f-05ba0d0b3236.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-Veolia Towers Hamburg | Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:19
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/58505cdc-c17a-4a41-a0ec-e12858a2baaa.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A193%3A85]()
Figueroa rejects from behind! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/GJsnDy3lASk/maxresdefault.jpg]()
7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:25
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/314dfc99-6bba-4873-9e85-4578020f92a8.jpg?crop=1136%3A639%3Anowe%3A184%3A90]()
What an assist by Mokoka! Magic Moment
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2183c7a3-9f3c-4105-acd0-089253215742.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A167%3A25]()
Mokoka swats Stenionis! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c221ebde-ce89-4560-9d2c-5ade2109832b.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/57ba786e-4e6d-409a-a07c-c679b9164a81.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/cd5bc455-e41a-4367-a103-92808b23f8f3.jpg?crop=1288%3A724%3Anowe%3A31%3A30]()
Lovely team baseline move by Cluj! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/r_IM8-CGA2U/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Umana Reyer Venice-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/05ff8965-56a0-42c2-ac7f-457f2bf26508.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A135%3A118]()
Salin creates a fastbreak from the floor! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e4708395-9756-48ca-bffd-0bb83dd71484.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a88fc0b9-9773-40b6-849e-f8112d5d7b26.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A167%3A39]()
Zimpson dances and scores! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d96808c4-44bb-4a5b-b6d1-8c45a0e74504.jpg]()
Veolia Towers Hamburg-Umana Reyer Venice | Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9688830d-8bed-4e48-bfa4-caefc2212018.jpg]()
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Aris Thessaloniki | Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c8f36cac-ae3e-43e0-9546-de0f8cb80ddc.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A135%3A146]()
Kuath skies for the alley-oop! Magic Moment
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/4bae8368-f19f-4a65-a81d-2c8b7c66fa6f.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A83%3A68]()
Barnett rises for the dunk! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c5c4946d-f4ae-4bdc-8dc0-09a52372ac70.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem | Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:19
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/f78d4dcc-555c-44b2-824d-a38f25ff44b6.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A10%3A123]()
Casarin’s answer is answered! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/292b724d-953f-4590-a792-ede9d1eebb00.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A106%3A41]()
Stephens posterizes Smith! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/55ab7e7e-56b5-4f65-ba51-d968ecfadcab.jpg?crop=4800%3A2700%3Anowe%3A225%3A637]()
An impossible three from Toliopoulos! Magic Moment
- 00:35
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/03/VeqxBSjYkLltGasXC4tfAOifP5cPOKoH-1735939361522.jpg]()
Mokoka takes off for the massive dunk! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y9kg3RC5GC0/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Veolia Towers Hamburg | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bb684647-7ca2-4db3-bacb-d87a9aaaf699.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A173%3A146]()
Mokoka takes off for the massive dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2e41e3d1-0b0e-439b-98c4-eb7a4a38913a.jpg?crop=1004%3A565%3Anowe%3A269%3A78]()
Hankins finds Mejeris for the slam! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e6003d64-5e5c-4386-9ff0-a85023270f68.jpg]()
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Bt3SoMaLDc4/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/da540dff-7fcd-4b28-99ae-3edac2f31ed5.jpg?crop=1209%3A679%3Anowe%3A85%3A97]()
Simpson's circus shot! Magic Moment
- 01:51
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/17/kL5IuyqLsptazN4hFGEB7bE1W3N4ZUVk-1734470445456.jpg]()
Kendrick Nunn: 'We needed that energy, that spark'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/vDMG2AlXBXM/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | RS Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/db9eca36-65ca-47f5-9a18-4c1a95eb9045.jpg?crop=1241%3A698%3Anowe%3A20%3A27]()
Samodurov's big block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2914f72f-6720-489f-abee-7dc50d0f5bd3.jpg?crop=1168%3A657%3Anowe%3A123%3A76]()
LeDay's poster dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/ADe7hkcccCI/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:19
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3a121f47-4ccb-4d40-9042-3d259ed78a28.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A109%3A59]()
Nunn with another ankle-breaker! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:24
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a3ed0c28-8428-4695-980d-dc06e46bee07.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A51%3A73]()
Nunn breaks Ricci's ankles! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Jji9axLj4fs/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:28
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/ce750352-36a6-4eaf-a17d-105f866432fe.jpg?crop=1191%3A670%3Anowe%3A103%3A62]()
Seeley's three to take the lead for good! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/zzJ9Vgml_zw/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Turk Telekom Ankara-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/40a8fb17-a93a-470d-bbf2-ba8aeb7bcd48.jpg?crop=1271%3A715%3Anowe%3A0%3A68]()
An open lane for Guzman's dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:30
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/049e436b-d82f-40d6-b6ab-f0f547d742e7.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A83%3A172]()
Big hustle, big dunk! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/69d88395-6f1a-4bfe-8706-6715aedcad0b.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-Umana Reyre Venice | Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
Cluj holds third place in Group B
"I am happy I could help the team win and we are now in a very good position," big man Emanuael Cate, who led the way with 18 points, said.
Indeed, Cluj's 10-4 records puts it alone in third place in Group B. Finishing there or in fourth place would bring home-court advantage in the eighthfinals, while second place means a jump right to the quarterfinals and a home game at that stage. Cluj now has a four-win advantage over the fifth place team but is just is a win behind second-place Dreamland Gran Canaria (11-3).
Cluj's coach does not want to get ahead of himself, however.
"We have four more games and we will take it game by game, and see in which place we finish," Silvasan said. "We have to play each game with this type of mentality, and we will be fine."
