Up to three more playoff spots could be confirmed as Round 15 of the BKT EuroCup takes flight on Tuesday and Wednesday. Here's your guide to all the action.
This week: Three more teams eyeing the playoffs
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Tuesday, January 16
Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Slask Wroclaw
Tuesday's lone game will see Trento (6-8) attempt to get its playoff challenge back on track with a visit from last-placed Slask (2-12). In a meeting of two of the league's lowest-scoring teams, Trento will look to Kamar Baldwin to repeat the 17 points that led to a 75-84 road win at Slask in Round 4. Kendale McCullum paced Slask in that game with 19 points, and his return from injury played a part in last week's shock win over Ulm as the Polish side looks to finish the regular season on a high.
Wednesday, January 17
Prometey Slobozhanske vs. Wolves Vilnius
Wednesday's opening tip-off will see Prometey (7-7) attempt to protect its place in the all-important top six with a visit from Wolves (5-9), which also has postseason hopes after ending a six-game losing streak last week. The power of Ondrey Balvin helps make Prometey the best rebounding and shot-blocking team in the competition (39.6 rpg., 3.9 bpg.) and Wolves will look to overcome that with the help of Rasheed Sulaimon, who scored 30 points in a Round 6 win over Prometey, 85-71, and made a welcome return from injury last week.
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Paris Basketball
In a big battle at the top of Group A, second-placed Hapoel (11-3) will attempt to challenge the group leadership of red-hot Paris (13-1). These are the top two scoring teams in the competition and a fascinating backcourt battle awaits between Xavier Munford (16.7 points and 4.2 assists per game) and TJ Shorts (17.7 ppg., 7.4 apg.). Paris forward Collin Malcolm will have fond memories of the Round 6 meeting between the teams as he poured in 23 points on 4-of-8 three-point shooting to help secure a crushing 114-87 victory.
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Umana Reyer Venice
Cedevita's (0-14) quest for a first win of the season continues with a visit from Reyer (5-9), which boosted its hopes of catching up with the top six by ending a four-game losing streak last week. Kyle Wiltjer was the architect of that overtime win against Besiktas with 32 points and he'll look to continue his accuracy from long-range against the threat of Cedevita playmaker Justin Cobbs, who has averaged 19 points in the last three games. Reyer won 95-87 when the teams met in Round 6, led by 21 points from Barry Brown.
Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
A key battle between direct rivals in Group B will see Aris (6-8) welcome Buducnost (6-8) for a game that could go a long way towards deciding playoff qualification. A home win would also give Aris a head-to-head advantage after grinding out a 63-65 road win at Buducnost in November. Yoan Moukoundou's 20 points weren't enough for victory that day as Aris big man Kris Bankston scored 14 points without a miss, and their battle for inside supremacy will again be crucial. Buducnost will again look for leadership from McKinley Wright after his 16 points helped beat Bourg last week.
ratiopharm Ulm vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca
After seeing in-form Cluj (10-4) clinch a playoff berth last week, wobbling Ulm (8-6) will look to join them by ending a three-game losing streak. Cluj has already beaten the German champ this season, winning 86-75 in November thanks to 21 points from DJ Seeley. One of the league's rebounding and PIR leaders, Trevion Williams posted a double doubles that wasn't enough that night for Ulm, which desperately needs to improve its defense after allowing 94, 85 and 100 points in its recent three losses.
JL Bourg en Bresse vs. 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys
After ending a seven-game winning run with last week’s surprise defeat against Buducnost, playoff-bound Bourg (11-3) will look to recover its winning ways with a visit from Lietkabelis (5-9). The visiting team is currently one win outside the top six, but can take confidence from a thrilling 100-96 victory over Bourg in Round 6. Deividas Sirvydis was the inspiration for that win with 27 points and he is one of the competition's hottest players with at least 16 points in six straight games. The task of slowing him down falls to Jequan Lewis, who has at least one steal in seven out of eight games this season.
Veolia Hamburg Towers vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul
Victory over lowly Hamburg (2-12) could be enough to secure a playoff place for Besiktas (8-6), which is looking to bounce straight back from last week's overtime loss to Reyer. The Turkish team will expect to recover its usual high defensive standards, as well as repeat the offensive execution that led to a 90-78 win over Hamburg earlier this season. Two big men played a prominent part in that game, with Besiktas center Angel Delgado grabbing 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Aleksander Dziewa had 21 points and 8 boards for Hamburg. Their tussle is sure to be crucial again this week.
London Lions vs. Joventut Badalona
Red-hot Joventut (9-5) will aim to secure a playoff berth by grabbing a seventh straight win with a tough trip to a London (10-4) team already inked into the postseason. The English team triumphed in Spain in November, 76-87, behind 21 points from Gabe Olaseni, who grabbed his fifth double-double of the season in last week's win over Hapoel. But Joventut has improved a lot since then, and veteran big man Ante Tomic is ready to challenge Olaseni after recording 21 points and 10 rebounds in last week's win over Hamburg.
Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Turk Telekom Ankara
Reigning champion Gran Canaria (11-3) will look to maintain at least a share of the top position in Group B against a Turk Telekom (5-9) team that has kept alive its playoffs hopes with two straight wins based on excellent defense. The Spanish team ended a three-game losing slide by overcoming Lietkabelis last week, with 23 points from Ethan Happ. He also shined in November's 69-82 win at Turk Telekom, which had Steven Enoch continue his magnificent form in the paint by contributing 16 points and 13 rebounds in last week's crucial triumph over Trento.