Andy West looks ahead to the first half of this double-round week
At a glance: Round 26 rolls around with a lopsided slate of games
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Round 26 of the regular season tips off another double-round week, headlined by direct duels between leading title candidates. Here’s your overview of Tuesday and Wednesday’s action.
Tuesday, February 3
Dubai Basketball vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (17:00 CET)
Olympiacos (16-8) will look to keep climbing towards the top of the standings with a testing trip to Dubai (11-14). The Reds have hit top form with five straight wins, but extending that won’t be easy against a Dubai team boasting an 8-3 home record. New Olympiacos signing Tyrique Jones made his presence felt with 16 points and 8 rebounds in last week’s win over Barcelona, and he’ll be ready for a bruising battle against Dubai dangerman Mfiondu Kabengele, who has averaged 18.0 points and 6.0 boards in the last three games. The hosts need fit-again shooter Dzanan Musa to find his range after only making 1-of-8 field goals in last week’s loss to Zvezda, while Olympiacos can rely on excellence from Sasha Vezenkov after netting at least 19 points in seven games straight.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Valencia Basket (18:30 CET)
Valencia (16-9) is looking to strengthen its position in the playoff places by overcoming struggling Efes (9-16) in Istanbul. The host has lost nine straight to leave coach Pablo Laso still waiting for a first home victory, with a spluttering offense failing to reach 70 points in any of the last three games. At least recent signing Saben Lee is delivering the goods with an average of 15.0 points in his six appearances for the team, and he faces a good showdown with visiting shooter Brancou Badio (11.0 points per game). In the paint, Neal Sako has found his best form for Valencia with 12.0 offensive rebounds in the last three games, and he’ll look to give his team extra possessions by outfighting fit-again Efes center Vincent Poirier.
Zalgiris Kaunas vs. AS Monaco (19:00 CET)
Two top 10 teams aiming for a return to form meet in Kaunas as Zalgiris (14-11) welcomes Monaco (15-10). The hosts will be keen to keep playing for the full 40 minutes after losing their way in the latter stages of last week’s loss at Baskonia, and they need others to step up and support the consistent scoring of Sylvain Francisco (17.2 points per game). Recently recuperated guard Dovydas Giedraitis is among those hoping to make more impression after averaging just 3.8 points in his five appearances this season, and he also has a key role defensively against visiting superstar Mike James (16.6 points and 6.6 assists per game). Monaco has lost three in a row and needs to find more inside presence after only converting 13-of-28 two-pointers in last week’s loss to Virtus.
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (20:00 CET)
Two teams heading in different directions face a key matchup in Belgrade as resurgent Zvezda (15-10) welcomes faltering Hapoel (16-8). Zvezda has roared back to form with four straight victories, piling on the points with an average of 100.3 points during that run. Jared Butler has been one of the standouts, averaging 14.3 points during the winning run, and he will look to pile more misery on a Hapoel team which has lost two straight during the injury absence of key man Elijah Bryant. The visitors need another big night from Dan Oturu, who combined 18 points and 7 rebounds to help secure an 84-78 victory over Zvezda in December, but the Serbian team will be able to call upon another packed house to create an intimidating atmosphere as it attempts to grab the head-to-head advantage.
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (20:05 CET)
Maccabi (10-15) will look to boost its playoff hopes by staying perfect at Menora Mivtachim Arena with a visit from Partizan (8-17). The Serbian team’s recent improvement suffered a setback with last week’s loss at Milan, despite Dylan Osetkowski finding his best shooting form of the season with 4 triples. Partizan will lean on the physical presence of recent signing Tonye Jekiri (6.8 rebounds per night) to overcome Maccabi forward Jaylen Hoard, who has grabbed at least 5 boards in seven straight games. In the backcourt, home team playmaker Tamir Blatt is firing from deep with eight triples in the last two games, but he will be challenged by the increasingly impressive Cam Payne (17.0 points average in the last three games).
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Real Madrid (20:15 CET)
A battle of giants competing for a top-four place meet as Panathinaikos (10-5) welcomes Real (16-9). The Greens will hope sharpshooter Kendrick Nunn can return from injury but can always rely on veteran playmaker Kostas Sloukas, who warmed up for his 35th meeting with Los Blancos by taking last week’s MVP award, combining 26 points and 9 assists to inspire a nervously narrow win at ASVEL. Up against him, Andres Feliz will look to repeat the form which saw him net 18 points in a losing cause at Paris last time out. Real will also hope for more flawless perimeter shooting from Trey Lyles, who has made 10 triples without a miss in the last four games, while Juancho Hernangomez’s combination of three-point shooting and rebounding has a key role for Panathinaikos.
FC Bayern Munich vs. Paris Basketball (20:30 CET)
Bayern’s (10-15) late charge towards the playoff places faces its latest challenge with a visit from free-scoring Paris (8-16). The German giant has won five of its last seven games, culminating in a remarkable triumph at league leader Hapoel in Round 25. Isiaha Mike netted 16 points on 7-of-8 field goal shooting in that win, but the real key was limiting Hapoel to just 64 points. That kind of stifling defense will be very much required to overcome a Paris team which ranks third in the league in scoring, and blasted 98 points to down Real Madrid last time out. Nadir Hifi got back to his best with 21 points including 4-of-8 triples, and minimizing his perimeter shooting will be a clear defensive priority for Bayern.
FC Barcelona vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20:30 CET)
Reigning champ and league leader Fenerbahce (17-7) faces a major test with a road trip to Barcelona (16-9). The Spanish side has won three straight at home, but needs to prove it can compete with the best after suffering road losses against Olympiacos, Real Madrid and Fener itself in the last six weeks. The game in Istanbul was edged 72-71 by the Turkish team thanks to Wade Baldwin’s block on Kevin Punter’s potential game-winning shot, with Nicolo Melli grabbing 10 rebounds to underline his understated importance. But Barca can now again count on key man Will Clyburn, who returned from a seven-game absence by scoring 14 points in Piraeus last week. The sidelines duel between Xavi Pascual and his former player Saras Jasikevicius adds another twist of intrigue to a captivating contest.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (20:30 CET)
Milan (12-13) will attempt to strength its playoff push by overcoming road strugglers Baskonia (9-16). The Spanish team showed great character to hold off Maccabi last week, partly thanks to 15 points and 7 rebounds from the hard-charging Rodions Kurucs, and now needs to show the same grit to improve its 1-12 road record. Milan snapped a three-game losing streak by taking a badly-needed victory over Partizan last week, and will count on the physical presence of Josh Nebo, who has scored 10+ points in six of the last eight games. Baskonia has been boosted by the return of three-point shooting expert Markus Howard, whose elusiveness will test Milan’s hard-working backcourt hustler Quinn Ellis – who lacks the support of injured again Leandro Bolmaro.
Wednesday, February 4
Virtus Bologna vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:30 CET)
In Wednesday’s sole game, ASVEL (6-19) will attempt to finally grab its first road win of the season with a tough assignment at Virtus (12-13). The Italian team is riding a wave of optimism after Luca Vildoza’s last-second game-winner at Monaco last week, which also saw dynamic forward Derrick Alston continue his great form with a fourth straight double-digit scoring night. Virtus, just two wins short of the playoff places, will demand disciplined defense to subdue ASVEL’s impressive newcomer Braian Angola, whose 20 points nearly shocked Panathinaikos last week. The hosts will also look to cut off the supply lines provided by Thomas Heurtel, who dished 12 assists in that game. To boost its own scoring chances, Virtus will be able to welcome fit-again Carsen Edwards, who featured in the Italian League this past weekend.