Sportradar's Matt Kamalsky looks back on last Wednesday's high-scoring clash between the two teams
Stats review: Cluj's red-hot offense bludgeoned Neptunas on the interior
Statistika
3 Min čitanja
Several teams scored important wins in both groups during Round 11 of the BKT EuroCup, but none was quite as impressive as the 118-point effort from U-BT Cluj Napoca as they cruised to a comfortable win to keep pace with the playoff hunt in Group A. Scoring 68 points in the first half against Neptunas Klaipeda – the third-highest mark all-time – Mihai Silvasan’s team got off to a spectacular start, scoring 15 points in the first 3 minutes as they came away with points on their first seven trips down the floor, including a pair of run-out dunks.
As explosive as that early run was, perhaps it was not entirely surprising. Cluj and Neptunas rank first and second in pace on the year respectively, are both in the top seven in offensive efficiency, and both went into triple digits in their matchup in Round 2. Scoring has not been an issue for either team most nights this season.
Nonetheless, Cluj’s performance was somewhat unique among high point totals. Unlike so many of the league’s most explosive performances over the last several years, three-pointers were not a very significant factor as they shot a modest 9 for 24 from beyond the arc. With only 7 offensive rebounds, 14 turnovers, and 25 free-throw attempts, they did not dominate the possession battle or win in the margins.
They built the signature offensive effort of the season with the way they attacked the rim, something they have done as well as any team in the EuroCup all year. Finishing six and-ones and earning opportunities for two others, throwing down seven dunks, and shooting 22 for 26 on layups, they were not just prolific scoring above average 23 points in transition, but incredibly effective in the half court. Generating 79 points in the paint on the night overall – well above their league-best 42 points per game average – and shooting 83% in the restricted area, they imposed their will on the interior.
Among individuals, Nighael Ceaser and Dusan Miletic combined to score a productive 31 inside, but Mitch Creek notched 26 of his 40 in the paint, tallying five and-one opportunities in a truly exceptional showing of physicality and assertiveness. The 33-year-old has been very efficient all season, but punished the defense relentlessly in the second-highest scoring game of his professional career and one of the signature efforts of the 2025-26 EuroCup regular season.
Staying above the playoff cut line in Group A notching their sixth win and boosting their point differential, there’s a pretty good chance this offensive explosion pays dividends down the stretch for Cluj – important for a team that may have the toughest four games to close the year of any team in the EuroCup.