Gescrap BB will make history on Wednesday when they host Unicaja in the first ever Turkish Airlines Euroleague match to be staged in Bilbao.
History will be made in the Bilbao, a new hot spot in European basketball, when Gescrap BB and Unicaja take centre court in the first-ever Top 16 game played in this city.
It will be a decisive game, too, as both teams are looking for their first win in Group F. Unicaja registered a heartbreaking last-second loss against Madrid and Gescrap suffered a 14-point defeat in Siena despite taking a double-digit lead in the first half.
It will be a special game for Gescrap shooter Kostas Vasileadis, who played for Unicaja in the past. Few surprises are expected in this all-Spanish showdown, as both teams know each other very well. Expect intensity and, as always, a great crowd in Bilbao urging Gescrap on to victory.
Unicaja is still without star Joel Freeland, small forward Tremmell Darden and young gun Alex Abrines. Freeland is out with a severely sprained ankle, Darden with a hand injury and Abrines with a leg problem. Mark Payne is questionable due to a toe injury. Gescrap’s Janis Blums did not travel with the team in a Spanish League game this weekend. Alex Mumbru had a stomach virtus but is expected to play.
With Freeland still sidelined, Jorge Garbajosa and especially Luka Zoric – last week's top scorer with 32 points – will take on greater responsibility to lead Unicaja's frontline. Garbajosa must use his experience and deep range against Marko Banic, whose post skills and backdoor layups could be a factor in this game.
Zoric needs to make the most out of his athleticism and aggressiveness against defensive center D'or Fischer in what will be a key match-up in this game.
Gescrap has a deeper frontcourt, as Dimitris Mavroeidis and Axel Hervelle will be ready to come off the bench against Augusto Cesar Lima or Nedzad Sinanovic. Gescrap will try to run its offence through Alex Mumbru, who faces a tough challenge against Hrvoje Peric, who can match his athleticism, size and ball handling.
If Payne remains sidelined or sees limited playing time, Gerald Fitch and Berni Rodriguez will play bigger roles at both wings. Fitch will test his one-on-one skills against Vasileadis, while Rodriguez will use his quickness against Roger Grimau.
The point guard battle between Aaron Jackson and E.J. Rowland will be critical, while Raul Lopez will bring his court vision against Kristaps Valters, in great form recently.
Bilbao must run the floor and get Banic involved. Unicaja needs a good game from Zoric and especially Fitch.
