Playoff-bound Prometey (9-8) and Joventut (10-7) are playing for final group position as they go head-to-head separated by just one win.

Preview: BC Prometey vs. Joventut Badalona

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/prometey-slobozhanske-joventut-badalona/U2023/171/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-pmt-jov/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-prequotes-pmt-jov/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Joventut, which has lost two in a row, grabbed a narrow 79-76 victory when the teams met in November, with Andrew Andrews netting 15 points, so Prometey needs to win by 4 or more to claim the head-to-head advantage. A key matchup will take place in the paint between veteran big men Ante Tomic and Ondrey Balvin, who had 12 points and 12 rebounds in November's meeting.

[Prometey Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/prometey-slobozhanske/statistics/pmt/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Joventut Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/statistics/jov/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Ondrej Balvin vs. Ante Tomic: Two veteran centers are ready to put on a show in Latvia.

Joventut seek to conclude a three-game slide against Prometey, who are progressing in the opposite direction via two W's in a row. The Ukrainians are top rebounders and may try to dominate physically, whereas the Spaniards wish to control the tempo in what could be a speed versus power encounter.

Last game: Joventut Badalona-Prometey Slobozhanske | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Playoff positioning at stake when Prometey, Joventut face off

Prometey Slobozhanske v Joventut Badalona (2024-02-07T17:00:00.000Z)

To have any chance of advancing to the playoffs, Buducnost (7-10) needs to finish the regular season by beating faltering reigning champ Gran Canaria (12-5).

Preview: KK Budućnost vs. CB Gran Canaria

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/buducnost-voli-podgorica-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2023/178/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-bud-can/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The Spanish side has lost two of the last three, but holds fond memories of its last game against Buducnost: a 97-70 blowout in November paced by 18 points from Sylven Landesberg. Gran Canaria dished 28 assists in that game so Buducnost will be determined to break up the visiting team's rhythm and will try to run the game through big man Nikola Tanaskovic, who inspired last week's key win over Trento with 19 points and 8 rebounds.

[Buducnost Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/statistics/bud/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Gran Canaria Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/games/can/?season=2023-24)

McKinley Wright vs. Nicolas Brussino: Two vital players for their teams want to end the regular season in style.

The competition's only perfect team, Gran Canaria aim to further underline its intent to retain the EuroCup title with a visit from a Buducnost outfit that is boosted its own postseason aspirations since ending a four-game losing streak by downing Trento in a nail-biting overtime thriller.

Last game: Dreamland Gran Canaria-Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Buducnost looks to cause an upset against Gran Canaria

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2024-02-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris (8-9) can guarantee its progress to the postseason, and potentially finish fourth in the group, by overcoming a Trento team (7-10) that also has to win to stand any chance of extending its season.

Preview: Aris B.C. vs. Aquila Basket Trento

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/aris-midea-thessaloniki-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2023/177/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-ari-trn/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-prequotes-ari-trn/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The Greek team is on a high after downing Ulm last week behind a sensational Ronnie Harrell, with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. He will match up against the dangerous Andrejs Grazulis, who averages a solid 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per night. Trento won November’s matchup 69-67 on a last-gasp basket from Ellis Quinn, and this could be another thriller.

[Aris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/aris-midea-thessaloniki/statistics/ari/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Trento Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/statistics/trn/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Ronnie Harrell vs. Andrejs Grazulis: Two key forwards for their teams go head-to-head in Greece.

Two teams locked on the fringes of the playoff places meet as Trento summons Aris with both on two-game losing streaks. A key matchup is expected to arise in the paint, where Andrejs Grazulis tackles visiting big man Silvio de Sousa, but will the path to success be sourced elsewhere on the court?

Last game: Dolomiti Energia Trento-Aris Medea Thessaloniki | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Aris has one goal in mind when it hosts Trento

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2024-02-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel (12-5) needs a victory to secure second place as it travels to face a Beşiktaş (9-8) team also looking to enter the playoffs on a high.

Beşiktaş Basketbol vs. Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C.

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2023/172/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-bes-hta/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The Israeli team kept its top two fate in its own hands by breaking a three-game losing streak last week at Joventut with 19 points from recently signed Will Cummings, while Besiktas has lost three of the last four. Hapoel was an 81-75 winner when the teams met in November as J'Covan Brown paired 19 points with 7 assists, and his return from injury also played a big part in last week's victory over Joventut. Derek Needham will look to outplay him in the Besiktas backcourt.

[Besiktas Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/statistics/bes/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Hapoel Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/statistics/hta/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Derek Needham vs. J'Covan Brown: Two experienced guards will go to battle in Slovenia.

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.

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

Hapoel (12-5) needs a victory to secure second place as it travels to face a Besiktas (9-8) team also looking to enter the playoffs on a high.

Besiktas hoping to cause a headache for top-two chasing Hapoel 

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-02-07T18:00:00.000Z)

The London Lions (12-5) will aim for the win it needs to maintain hopes of a top-two finish with a visit from eliminated BC Wolves (7-10). 

Preview: London Lions vs. BC Wolves

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-wolves-vilnius/U2023/174/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-lli-wol/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The high-scoring English team has won three of the last four and showed its firepower with an 87-101 win at Wolves in Round 9. Conor Morgan scored 22 points in that victory and London will also look for more leadership from his namesake Matt Morgan who is in top form, averaging 22 points in the last three games. Wolves will lean on the experience and shooting skills of Jeffery Taylor, who poured in a season-high 20 points in last week's win over Hamburg.

[London Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/london-lions/statistics/lli/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Wolves Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/wolves-vilnius/statistics/wol/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Conor Morgan vs. Jeffery Taylor: Two reliable veterans will battle at the forward positions.

It's Lions versus Wolves with both in promising form and looking again to show their teeth. Expect a fierce rebounding contest with the guests averaging the second-highest of offensive boards while hte hosts protect better than anyone the defensive glass.

Last game: Wolves Vilnius-London Lions | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

London (12-5) will aim for the win it needs to maintain hopes of a top-two finish with a visit from eliminated Wolves (7-10). 

London Lions still dreaming of a top-two finish when Wolves come to town

London Lions v Wolves Vilnius (2024-02-07T19:30:00.000Z)

Paris (16-1), already guaranteed the top seed status throughout the playoffs, hosts a Cedevita (1-16) team that knows it must win to have a chance of avoiding a last-place finish.

Preview: Paris Basketball vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2023/173/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-prs-lju/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-prequotes-prs-lju/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

It should be a high-scoring game with Paris boasting the best offense in the competition (98.2 points per game), while Cedevita has the next-to-worst defense (91.4 points allowed). The first meeting between the teams resulted in a comfortable Paris win, 77-93, as TJ Shorts led the way with 17 points and 7 assists. Jaka Blazic is in great form for Cedevita, scoring 24 and 28 points in the last two games.

[Paris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/paris-basketball/statistics/prs/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Cedevita Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/statistics/lju/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Nadir Hifi vs. Jaka Blazic: An up-and-coming star faces a wily veteran in Round 18.

Cedevita's long quest for a maiden victory of the season moves to its latest chapter with the challenge of high-flying Paris, which is eager to recover from the blip of its first defeat of the campaign against Besiktas. The leading assisters are on show with Klemen Prepelic and TJ Shorts going head-to-head.

Last game: Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Paris Basketball | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Paris aims to keep its winning feeling going against Cedevita

Paris Basketball v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2024-02-07T19:45:00.000Z)

The veteran U.S. guard is still contributing at 40 years of age for one of the top teams in the BKT EuroCup.

Bourg’s E.J. Rowland is aging like a fine wine

There's already a small brand of California wine named "Rowland Cellars”, however E.J. Rowland, given that he is playing in France this year, should think about creating his own label. After all, the cliché of him aging like a fine wine is there for all to see.

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse has already wrapped up top spot in Group B of the BKT EuroCup having posted a 14-3 record so far and Rowland, who was the 2012-13 EuroCup Round 8 MVP while playing for VEF Riga, is part of the French side’s roster.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurocup/1624481/bourg-en-bresse-earl-rowland-bkt-eurocup-2023-2024/)

Andy West

### Tuesday, February 6

[JL Bourg en Bresse vs. ratiopharm Ulm ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-ratiopharm-ulm/U2023/176/)

Two teams heading for the playoffs meet as Bourg (14-3) welcomes Ulm (9-8). Bourg has already secured first place in the group, while Ulm could yet be overtaken by Aris Midea Thessaloniki for fourth place after suffering a 20-point defeat by the Greek team last week to prolong a worrying run of five losses in six games. Bourg took an exciting Round 9 meeting between the teams 84-89 powered by 19 points and 10 rebounds from Maksim Salash - his only double-double of the season. The game features a long-range shooting duel between two dangerous marksmen, Tomas Klepeisz (41.1% for threes) and Zaccharie Risacher (56.6%). 

[Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Umana Reyer Venice ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/veolia-towers-hamburg-umana-reyer-venice/U2023/175/)

A pair of teams with only pride to play for will complete their seasons with Hamburg (2-15) hosting Reyer (7-10). The Italian team is finishing strong with three wins out of four, most recently thrashing Prometey Slobozhanske with 25 points from Kyle Wiltjer, and surpassing 100 points in each of those victories. Marco Spissu was the main man when Reyer beat Hamburg 94-77 in Round 9, combining 22 points and 9 assists, and he faces a good battle with opposing backcourt leader Aljami Durham, who averages 11.4 points per game.

[Slask Wroclaw vs. Turk Telekom Ankara ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/slask-wroclaw-turk-telekom-ankara/U2023/180/)

Group B's last-placed Slask (2-15) will look to ruin the playoff ambitions of Turk Telekom (7-10), which most likely needs a win to advance to the next stage. Slask gained one of its two victories this season by triumphing in Ankara in November behind 25 points from Jakub Niziol, so the Turkish team knows it can't take anything for granted. A lot of responsibility will fall on the shoulders of James Palmer, who averages 13.4 points after netting double digits in eight consecutive games. Tyrone Wallace will also look for a return to form after going 0-of-7 from three-point range in last week's loss to Bourg.

Either Turk Telekom or Slask are to finally celebrate the end of a long losing run in a game that may be already destinated as a bid to avoid the wooden spoon in Group B.

Turk Telekom Ankara-Slask Wroclaw | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

### Wednesday, February 7

[7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys-u-bt-cluj-napoca/U2023/179/)

Eliminated Lietkabelis (6-11) will try to complicate the progress of Cluj (13-4), which needs a victory to secure a second-place finish and a direct passage to the quarterfinals. The Lithuanian team snapped a four-game losing streak last week, downing Slask behind 21 points from the consistent Deividas Sirvydis. November's meeting was one of the games of the season, taken 120-111 by Cluj after overtime with 25 points from DJ Seeley on 5-of-6 three-point shooting. Cluj also enjoyed an overtime triumph last week, downing Gran Canaria to keep control of second place.

[Prometey Slobozhanske vs. Joventut Badalona ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/prometey-slobozhanske-joventut-badalona/U2023/171/)

Playoff-bound Prometey (9-8) and Joventut (10-7) are playing for final group position as they go head-to-head separated by just one win. Joventut, which has lost two in a row, grabbed a narrow 79-76 victory when the teams met in November, with Andrew Andrews netting 15 points, so Prometey needs to win by 4 or more to claim the head-to-head advantage. A key matchup will take place in the paint between veteran big men Ante Tomic and Ondrey Balvin, who had 12 points and 12 rebounds in November's meeting. 

[Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/buducnost-voli-podgorica-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2023/178/)

To have any chance of advancing to the playoffs, Buducnost (7-10) needs to finish the regular season by beating faltering reigning champ Gran Canaria (12-5). The Spanish side has lost two of the last three, but holds fond memories of its last game against Buducnost: a 97-70 blowout in November paced by 18 points from Sylven Landesberg. Gran Canaria dished 28 assists in that game so Buducnost will be determined to break up the visiting team's rhythm and will try to run the game through big man Nikola Tanaskovic, who inspired last week's key win over Trento with 19 points and 8 rebounds. 

[Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/aris-midea-thessaloniki-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2023/177/)

Aris (8-9) can guarantee its progress to the postseason, and potentially finish fourth in the group, by overcoming a Trento team (7-10) that also has to win to stand any chance of extending its season. The Greek team is on a high after downing Ulm last week behind a sensational Ronnie Harrell, with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. He will match up against the dangerous Andrejs Grazulis, who averages a solid 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per night. Trento won November’s matchup 69-67 on a last-gasp basket from Ellis Quinn, and this could be another thriller.

Dolomiti Energia Trento-Aris Medea Thessaloniki | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

[Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2023/172/)

Hapoel (12-5) needs a victory to secure second place as it travels to face a Besiktas (9-8) team also looking to enter the playoffs on a high. The Israeli team kept its top two fate in its own hands by breaking a three-game losing streak last week at Joventut with 19 points from recently signed Will Cummings, while Besiktas has lost three of the last four. Hapoel was an 81-75 winner when the teams met in November as J'Covan Brown paired 19 points with 7 assists, and his return from injury also played a big part in last week's victory over Joventut. Derek Needham will look to outplay him in the Besiktas backcourt. 

[London Lions vs. Wolves Vilnius ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-wolves-vilnius/U2023/174/)

London (12-5) will aim for the win it needs to maintain hopes of a top-two finish with a visit from eliminated Wolves (7-10). The high-scoring English team has won three of the last four and showed its firepower with an 87-101 win at Wolves in Round 9. Conor Morgan scored 22 points in that victory and London will also look for more leadership from his namesake Matt Morgan who is in top form, averaging 22 points in the last three games. Wolves will lean on the experience and shooting skills of Jeffery Taylor, who poured in a season-high 20 points in last week's win over Hamburg. 

[Paris Basketball vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2023/173/)

Paris (16-1), already guaranteed the top seed status throughout the playoffs, hosts a Cedevita (1-16) team that knows it must win to have a chance of avoiding a last-place finish. It should be a high-scoring game with Paris boasting the best offense in the competition (98.2 points per game), while Cedevita has the next-to-worst defense (91.4 points allowed). The first meeting between the teams resulted in a comfortable Paris win, 77-93, as TJ Shorts led the way with 17 points and 7 assists. Jaka Blazic is in great form for Cedevita, scoring 24 and 28 points in the last two games.

There's still lots at stake as the regular season of the BKT EuroCup comes to a close. Here's your quick guide to Tuesday and Wednesday night's action.

This week: The home stretch

Slask Wroclaw v Turk Telekom Ankara (2024-02-06T19:00:00.000Z)

7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2024-02-07T17:00:00.000Z)

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-02-06T18:30:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Umana Reyer Venice (2024-02-06T18:30:00.000Z)

Getting the job done when closest to the basket is not easy due to crowds of defenders, but these players are making it look that way.

Stats review: Meet the best closers near the rim

The end of the BKT EuroCup regular season is just around the corner, and in Round 17, U-BT Cluj-Napoca notched a key victory over Dreamland Gran Canaria to position themselves for a bye into the quarterfinals in Group B if they can win their Round 18 finale. In Cluj's 115-111 overtime road victory in Gran Canaria, four players scored between 20 and 24 points, including [Emanuel Cate](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/emanuel-cate/005373/), who put together the best game of his professional career in a high-pressure moment. 

Going 9-for-9 from the field while corralling 10 rebounds and finishing with a plus/minus of +18, the 26-year-old big man maximized his time on the floor by playing hard, catching everything thrown his way, and tossing in shots around the rim with soft touch while playing through contact. Doing much of his scoring off drop passes and offensive rebounds, Cate plays a physical style that allows him to be brutally effective even as he does much of his scoring below the rim.

As the table above suggests, Cate is one of several workhorses that have thrived around the basket in the EuroCup this season. Shooting over 75% in finishing situations, his efficiency has been tremendous relative to his volume, which ultimately helped Cluj secure its most important win of the season. 

Looking up and down this list, he is joined by several other players who thrive on physicality like [Dusan Miletic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/dusan-miletic/009896/) of Slask Wroclaw and [Leon Kratzer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/leon-kratzer/004512/) of Paris Basketball, who both have been tremendous in their roles this season. Setting screens, grabbing offensive rebounds, and playing angles to score, that duo does a lot of the dirty work on the interior, and does so at an incredible 80% conversion rate in close.

Dusan Miletic, Leon Kratzer and 3 others Top Plays from 12/01/2023 to 02/05/2024

The five best closers near the rim in the EuroCup

Their style of play stands in contrast to [Karlo Matkovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/karlo-matkovic/009395/) of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, [Tyler Calvin Cook](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyler-calvin-cook/012780/) of Joventut Badalona, and [Marvin Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marvin-jones/010248/) of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, who have done more than half of their scoring on the interior above the rim. Whether it's a lob pass for a dunk, a tip-slam, a soft lefty scoop, or a sweeping layup around a defender, the key at this level is the result, and there's quite a contrast of styles among the players on this list.

That is perhaps most obvious at the top where [Collin Malcolm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/collin-malcolm/012609/) of Paris is the lone swingman included here. Scoring at the rim running in transition, cutting out of the corners for lobs, and driving the ball to punish smaller wings on the interior, Malcolm has been remarkably consistent around the rim for all the different ways he tends to get there. It is rare for a wing to be as productive or efficient as Malcom has been on the interior, let alone both. 

With the postseason looming, consistency is key, and each one in this group has lifted his team with how reliably he has finished inside. 