Playoff places are up for grabs in Round 14 of the BKT EuroCup, which will also see the reigning champion aim for a return to form. Here's your guide to this week's action.
This week: Who is next to crash the playoff party?
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Tuesday, January 9
Wolves Vilnius vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana
Wolves (4-9) is aiming to end a six-game losing streak and boost its flagging playoff hopes with a visit from eliminated Cedevita (0-13), which hopes to gain a first win of the season under new coach Zoran Martic. Fit-again Rasheed Sulaimon will pose a major threat, having scored 22 points when Wolves beat Cedevita 78-86 in Round 5. After losing its last three games by 5 points or less, the visiting team will hope the experience of Jaka Blazic will help finally seal a long-desired first win.
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. London Lions
After red-hot Hapoel (11-2) secured a postseason berth in last week's makeup victory over Wolves, now London (9-4) will aim to follow the Israeli team into the playoffs with a road win. The English team has lost two of its last three and suffered a 90-98 home defeat to Hapoel earlier in the season despite Donte Grantham's double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. He faces a great matchup with Tomer Ginat, who had a season-high 24 points in that game for Hapoel, which has now won seven in a row. London will secure a playoff berth with a win or if Wolves loses its game earlier Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 10
7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria
Faltering Gran Canaria (10-3) will look to rediscover winning ways with a road win at Lietkabelis (5-8), which is still in the playoff hunt despite only winning one of the last five. After qualifying for the playoffs despite suffering three straight defeats, the title holder will look for Ethan Happ (8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game) to establish his authority in the paint, while Lietkabelis hopes explosive guard Deividas Sirvydis (17.8 points per game) can continue his streak of seven games with multiple triples.
Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento
A key matchup in the Group B playoff race will see Turk Telekom (4-9) aim to defend its home court and grab a fourth win in five games against Trento (6-7), which is gunning for a third straight victory. The first meeting between the teams resulted in a thrilling 101-96 overtime win for Trento behind 28 points from Kamar Baldwin, who faces a thrilling backcourt duel with Tyrone Wallace. The Turk Telekom guard has averaged 17.9 points per game, including 31 points on 7-of-8 three-point shooting to inspire an outstanding win at Ulm before the new year break.
U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki
Cluj (9-4) is aiming to seal a playoff berth as fast as possible with a visit from Aris (6-7), which is also on track for post-season action after winning three in a row. The Round 5 meeting between the teams was a defensive slugfest, taken 59-61 by Cluj behind 13 points from big man Andrija Stipanovic. On this occasion, Aris will hope to bypass his power in the paint through the stellar long-range shooting which delivered 7 triples in a big win over Slask last time out, with five of those coming from Roberts Blumbergs.
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse
Group B leader Bourg (11-2) will aim to keep hold of the top spot by winning at Buducnost (5-8), which is currently one win outside the playoff positions. Isiaha Mike maintained his great form with 22 points and 8 rebounds when Ulm grabbed a big win against Gran Canaria last time out, and Buducnost will need the experienced Brandon Paul to be at his best. Bourg leads the competition in steals (9.8 per game) so the hosts' ball handlers will have to be alert to protect the basketball.
Veolia Hamburg Towers vs. Joventut Badalona
Red-hot Joventut (8-5) could wrap up a place in the playoffs by overcoming lowly Hamburg (2-11), depending on other results. It should be a high-scoring game, with Hamburg netting at least 83 points in four straight games but only winning one of those due to a porous defense which has allowed a competition-high 99.1 points per game. That will encourage Joventut's top scorer Andrew Andrews, who has scored in double digits in nine straight games and blasted 33 points when the teams met in Round 5, with Joventut winning 108-76.
Slask Wroclaw vs. ratiopharm Ulm
Eliminated Slask (1-12) will look for a shock win against Ulm (8-5), which can take a big step towards playoff qualification by ending a two-game losing slump. The German champ triumphed in an overtime thriller, 108-103, when the teams met in Round 5. That game featured a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds from Trevion Williams, whose battle with another outstanding big man, Dusan Miletic, will be a highlight of this encounter - they are respectively ranked first (22.8) and fourth (20.9) in PIR.
Umana Reyer Venice vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul
Besiktas (8-5) will look to take a step closer to playoff qualification with a trip to Reyer (4-9), which is running out of time after losing four in a row. Besiktas advances with a win if Wolves lose on Tuesday. The visitors based their recent wins on consecutive double-doubles from big man Angel Delgado, who also played a key role with 12 points and 8 boards when Besiktas beat Reyer 74-68 in Round 5. Amedeo Tessitori provides the power in the paint for Reyer, averaging 11.5 points and 5 rebounds, and his ability to control the tempo could be a key to keeping his team's post-season hopes alive.
Paris Basketball vs. Prometey Slobozhanske
After powering to five consecutive wins, Paris (12-1) will aim to protect the competition's best record with a visit from Prometey, which is closing in on the playoffs after winning three of the last four. Paris has scored at least 93 points in each of its last five games, most recently with explosive guard Nadir Hifi contributing 26 points in a big home win over London to maintain his record of double-digit scoring in every game. Prometey will hope that Gian Clavell can maintain his good form in the backcourt after pairing 17 points with 6 assists to help defeat Cedevita last time out.