Round 7 of the BKT EuroCup features several key battles between direct rivals in the playoff races. Here's your quick guide to the action.
This week: Streaks will be put to the test
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6 mins read
Tuesday, November 14
7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Turk Telekom Ankara
Boosted by last week's thrilling victory over Bourg, Lietkabelis (2-4) will aim to conquer a direct rival in the playoff race with a visit from struggling Turk Telekom (1-5). Deividas Sirvydis was the hero for Lietkabelis last week with 27 points, and he has scored 20+ in three of his five appearances this season, so stopping him will be key for the visiting team. Turk Telekom suffered its fourth straight loss last week despite a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds from Steven Enoch, and needs more than just him to improve an inside offense that has converted just 46.9% of two-point shots so far this season, second-worst in the league. Game Notes and Facts
Prometey Slobozhanske vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv
Hapoel (4-1) will try to rebound from last week's pummelling at the hands of Paris by getting its playoff challenge back on track with a visit to Prometey (2-4). The home team, which has lost two games in a row, is the competition's top rebounding team with 40.8 boards per game and will look to dominate physically through Ondrey Balvin (8.5 rpg) and Davon Reed (7.0 rpg), but they face a formidable opponent in the form of Kyle Alexander, who averages 9.5 rebounds and scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting in last week's game against Paris. Game Notes and Facts
ratiopharm Ulm vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
Buducnost (2-4) will head into its trip to Ulm (4-2) under new leadership following the departure of head coach Petar Mijovic. The Montenegrin team has lost three straight and will look for leadership on the floor from McKinley Wright (13 points and 4.5 assists per game) as it seeks a return to winning ways. Ulm slipped up against Cluj last week despite 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals from young guard Juan Nuñez, who continues to look one of the continent's hottest backcourt prospects. Game Notes and Facts
Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki
Bourg (4-2) needs to bounce back from last week's narrow loss at Lietkabelis against an Aris (3-3) battling to protect its position in the playoff places after overcoming Buducnost last week thanks to a strong finale from Dimitris Katsivelis, who scored 8 points in the last 6 minutes to seal a comeback win. Bourg leads the league in steals (10.3 per game), and the likes of Isiaha Mike (2.5 steals per night, joint best in the league) will look to unsettle the Greek team in a key game in the playoff race. Game Notes and Facts
Joventut Badalona vs. Paris Basketball
Perfect Paris (6-0) is aiming for a seventh straight win as it travels to a Joventut (3-3) team that needs to respond from last week's home loss to London. Paris has looked simply unstoppable so far, with guard Nadir Hifi's average of 15.8 points per game just one of many weapons available to Coach Tuomas Iisalo, whose team leads the league with a whopping 101.2 points scored per game. Inconsistent Joventut is struggling with injury problems but has been superbly led by veteran shooter DeShaun Thomas, who has scored at least 16 points in each of the last five games. Game Notes and Facts
Wednesday, November 15
Wolves Vilnius vs. Umana Reyer Venice
After a thrilling high-scoring victory over Cedevita in Round 6, Reyer (2-4) will look to build more momentum with a tough trip to in-form Wolves (3-2), which has won three in a row. Barry Brown was key to Reyer's victory last week with 21 points, but the host boasts the Round 6 MVP after Rasheed Sulaimon powered Wolves to victory over Prometey with 30 points, 7 assists and 3 steals. Wolves rank second in the league in offensive rebounding with 13.8 per game, while Reyer is dead last with an average of just 7.8. Game Notes and Facts
Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul vs. London Lions
After grabbing a great win in Badalona in Round 6, London (4-2) faces another major challenge on the road as it travels to Besiktas (5-1), which has won all four games at home so far this season. In a game between direct rivals in the playoff race, Besiktas will focus on delivering another tough performance from its defense, which ranks second in the league with just 72.3 points per game allowed. London will look for in-form big man Gabe Olaseni, who scored 21 points in Badalona last week, to get the better of his duel with Besiktas star Angel Delgado (8.2 rebounds per game). Game Notes and Facts
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Veolia Hamburg Towers
Two winless teams are battling to finally grab a first victory of the season as Cedevita (0-6) receives a visit from Hamburg (0-6). The visitor needs to tighten up the league's worst defense, allowing 101.8 points per game, with particular attention needed for Cedevita playmaker Klemen Prepelic (13.7 points and 11.3 assists per game). Hamburg does crash the boards well, averaging 12.7 offensive rebounds per game, and will hope that Seth Hinrichs (8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game) can have a big night in this battle for a first win. Game Notes and Facts
Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca
High-flying Cluj (5-1) will look for a fourth straight victory against a confident Trento (3-3) which has also won its last three games. Cluj bases its success on defense, allowing just 73 points per game (third best in the competition) as DJ Seeley averages 2 steals in addition to his 14.8 points. Kamar Baldwin is in good form for Trento, coming back from injury to score 28 and 17 points in the last two games. Trento has averaged 88.7 points during its three-game winning run, so will be confident of its chances of firing again despite the visitor’s excellent defense. Game Notes and Facts
Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Slask Wroclaw
It's top against bottom as unbeaten reigning champ Gran Canaria (6-0) receives a visit from Slask (0-6), the only team in Group B without a win. The Polish team's chances of causing a major upset rest on the shoulders of Dusan Miletic, who ranks second in the league in PIR (23.5) and recorded his second double-double of the season in last week's loss against Trento. Gran Canaria's balanced approach last week saw a starring role for Sylven Landesberg, who scored 20 points to help defeat Turk Telekom. But the Spanish team, which counts 22.3 assists per game (third best in the competition) among its strengths, possesses weapons all over the floor and will take some stopping. Game Notes and Facts