There are three big games taking place on Friday night in the EuroCup, and we are already guaranteed to have action next week.
Yes, there was only one game on Thursday evening, and that series is now tied at 1-1, so the wait to see the first team in the semis goes on. Will anyone clinch their spot on Friday evening, or will all the games roll over to the third match?
Lokomotiv Kuban Kranosdar 86 vs. 74 UNICS Kazan
There will be a Game 3 in Kazan next week as Lokomotiv made up for their defeat earlier in this midweek. Nigel Williams-Goss was the star player on the night, offering up 25 points, 4 assists and 4 steals. There was also an excellent showing from Mantas Kalnietis who delivered a career high of 23 points, and he also offered up a double-double thanks to 10 assists.
Jamar Smith was the best player for UNICS scoring wise, offering 20 points in the loss. Okaro White provided 13 points while there was a double-double from John Brown, who notched 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. AS Monaco
An away win in Monaco earlier this week means Budocnost are a home win away from the Semifinals. Of course, while it is a home game for Budocnost, the match is played in Ljubljana in Slovenia, due to pandemic regulations.
Herbalife Gran Canaria vs. Boulogne Metropolitans 92
The side from Gran Canaria are looking to emulate their team from 2015 and 2016 with a semifinal spot. They were the runners up in 2015, while a year later they bowed out at the final four. With a 6-2 home record this season so far, Gran Canaria will feel confident of wrapping up this tie on Friday night.
However, Boulogne have a 5-3 record on the road this season, and they have previous form for negotiating tricky away ties. This could be a tight game in Gran Canaria, but with so much at stake, this shouldn’t be a surprise.
Joventut Badalona vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna
The hosts need to win this game to stay in the tie. A return trip to Bologna doesn’t seem like the greatest reward for winning a vital match, but a loss means the home team’s run in the EuroCup is over, so it is better than nothing.
The hosts have a 14-2 record at home in the past two seasons of the EuroCup. More importantly, the squad will look back to holding a fourth quarter lead in Game 1, and know they have what it takes to push their opponents.
Of course, Virtus carry a 17-0 record in the EuroCup this season so far, so they will be confident about reaching their first Semifinal tie.