Bennet Cantu and Zalgiris lock horns in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16 on Wednesday with the home side looking for their first win of the campaign.
In a battle to rejoin the quarter-final Playoff fight in Top 16 Group H, Bennet Cantu hosts Zalgiris at home on Thursday.
Cantu registered a five-point road loss against FC Barcelona Regal and Zalgiris could not beat Maccabi at home, turning this game into a crucial one.
Both teams meet for the first time since 1981, when Cantu beat Zalgiris twice in the Cup Winners' Cup group stage and went on to win the competition against another Top 16 Group H team, Barcelona.
Cantu is undefeated at home after five games but Zalgiris won its last Euroleague game and is ready for more. Expect a tough, unpredictable battle, as both teams have different playing styles and only the winner will survive.
Except for the long-time injury to big man Marko Scekic, Cantu has a full roster this week. Zalgiris has no injury problems before its game against Cantu.
Sonny Weems is coming off his worst-ever Turkish Airlines Euroleague game, but he will still be the man to stop for Cantu to improve their chances to win. Weems is a natural-born mismatch at small forward due to his size, athleticism and power but Cantu has Vladimir Micov ready to slow him down.
Micov is in great shape and has also become Cantu's main scoring threat in recent weeks. Cantu will rely on Andrea Cinciarini and Nico Gianella to step up on offence. Cinciarini must use his know-how and determination against Mantas Kalnietis, who is always ready to attack the basket.
Gianella and Nicolas Mazzarino will not have it easy against combo guard Marko Popovic, who deep range, experience and high basketball IQ can lead Zalgiris to a win. Popovic, however, will not have it easy against Gianella and Mazzarino. Zalgiris has a lot of big bodies to throw into the game, such as Robertas Javtokas, Reeves Nelson or Milovan Rakovic. Javtokas must use his experience against veteran centre Denis Marconato.
Meanwhile, Nelson and Rakovic must be ready to slow Giorgi Shermadini, whose size, speed and high free-throw percentage can give teams a lot of trouble.
Maarten Leunen must use his size and shooting touch against veteran power forward Paulius Jankunas, in what will be a key matchup in this game. Cantu has to maintain its tough defensive style, exercise patience and get Micov and Leunen involved.
Zalgiris needs a good game from Weems and Janlunas to perform at its best.
