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Round 15: Playoff berths could fill up quickly

Round 15: Playoff berths could fill up quickly

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6 March 20237 Mins read

Round 15: Playoff berths could fill up quickly

With five open playoff berths in Group A with just four games left in the regular season, Round 15 looms as a potential turning point in the race as most teams return to the 7DAYS EuroCup action for the first time in weeks. Here's what to watch for on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Promitheas Patras

In a Group B clash with great impact on a battle for home-court playoff advantage, Turk Telekom (10-4) hosts Promitheas (9-5) in the Round 15 opener on Tuesday. A win would give second-place Turk Telekom a sweep of Promitheas. Both teams were in good rhythm before the break. Promitheas has won its last three games, and Turk Telekom its last two.

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv

In a Group B game with high stakes, Buducnost (8-6) plays host to Hapoel (10-4) on Tuesday. It could be the last chance for Buducnost to get back into the race for home-court advantage in the playoffs as it will try to beat Hapoel for the second time this season, having won 64-70 in their clash in Tel Aviv in Round 6. However, Hapoel arrives to Podgorica as the winner of seven straight. The visitors own the competition's best offense, averaging 87.9 points and 21.7 assists, both first-ranked this season.

U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Frutti Extra Bursaspor

Last year's finalist Bursaspor (7-7) will try to book its return to the EuroCup Playoffs when it visits Cluj (4-10) in Group A on Wednesday. A victory by Bursaspor would punch its playoff ticket and could end up eliminating Cluj, too. If Cluj wins, though, its slim playoff chances would remain alive. Their Round 6 game finished with Bursaspor winning by 15 points, and if it can turn the tables, Cluj would love to be able to win by more than that.

Slask Wroclaw vs. London Lions

Slask (1-3) will try to end its five-game losing streak and keep its long-shot playoff hopes alive when it welcomes already-qualified London (6-8) to town. All-but-eliminated Slask has a new head coach, Ertugrul Erdogan, but has no room for error and might see its playoff hopes end even with a victory on Wednesday. The already-qualified seventh-place visitors might not have much riding on this game, but would certainly want to add to their winning tally.

Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Paris Basketball

Hamburg (4-10) will try to get back to winning ways when they welcome Paris (9-5) on Wednesday. Hamburg has lost six of its last seven games, including its last three at home. While a win would inch Hamburg closer to the final playoff spot in Group B, already-qualified Paris is aiming for one of the top four places in the group. Their Round 6 meeting was a tight one, with Paris holding on for an 87-84 win as Ismael Kamagate pulled down 19 rebounds and earned the MVP of the Round honor with a PIR of 41.

ratiopharm Ulm vs. Prometey Slobozhanske

First-place Prometey (10-4) will puts its seven-game winning streak on the line with a visit to Ulm (8-5) on Wednesday night. While Prometey will try to stay atop of the standings, Ulm would qualify for the playoffs with a win. Ulm can also qualify if Cluj loses earlier on Wednesday. These two played a highly entertaining showdown at Zalgirio Arena in Round 6 in which Ulm held on for a 105-106 win.

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Joventut Badalona

Bourg (8-6) will try to put an end to its three-game losing streak when it hosts Joventut (9-5) on Wednesday. Bourg pulled out an 80-85 upset win in Badalona earlier this season, and a sweep would give it an edge over Joventut, which enters this game in second place in Group A. Bourg is the EuroCup leader in three-point accuracy (40.7%) and will need it in this one against Joventut's sturdy defense.

Umana Reyer Venice vs. Germani Brescia

In an all-Italian affair, Reyer (7-7) hosts Brescia (7-7) on Wednesday night. The winner of this game will book a place in the playoffs, while each team also has a chance to qualify if Cluj loses earlier on Wednesday, too. Reyer beat Brescia 60-80 when they met in Round 6 and also won their Italian League clash earlier this season. Reyer is 3-0 all-time against Brescia in EuroCup games.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys

Last-place Cedevita (3-11) will try to keep its EuroCup season alive when it hosts Lietkabelis (7-7) on Wednesday in the Slovenian capital. Lietkabelis, the winner of its last three games, would qualify for the playoffs with another victory, while eliminating Cedevita in the process. The hosts, on the other hand, would need to win by at least 6 points, the margin of their loss against Lietkabelis earlier this season, to retain their own mathematical chances of reaching the playoffs.

Gran Canaria vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento

Gran Canaria (11-3) will try to retain the best record in the competition when it hosts Trento (2-12) in their Group B clash to close Round 15 on Wednesday. Gran Canaria is perfect 6-0 at home this season. Another win there would bring them closer to earning home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Trento has lost 21 consecutive road games, a streak that dates back to November 2020.