The battle to reach the Top 16 in Group B takes center stage in the Croatian capital, where KK Zagreb Croatia Osiguranje hosts Unicaja on Wednesday. Zagreb (2-6) will be out if it loses and Brose Baskets (3-5) downs Zalgiris Kaunas (2-6). 

If that happens, Unicaja (3-5) and Brose will advance to the Top 16. Points differential will be a critical issue if Zagreb wins, as the Croatian League champions registered a 99-85 road loss in Malaga. Unicaja leads the 2011-12 Turkish Airlines Euroleague season in total rebounds with 20 more boards than the closest contender and is also first in offensive rebounds with 102. Zagreb is also one of the best rebounding teams this season and ranks second in free throw shooting (83.3%). It will be a special game for Unicaja big man Luka Zoric, who goes back home to face his former team.

INJURIES

Damir Mulaomerovic, Dario Saric and Mario Kasun missed Zagreb's last Euroleague game in Moscow. All but Kasun, who returned to action in the Adriatic League this weekend, are questionable against Unicaja this week. For Unicaja, Tremmell Darden will be out for at least 6 more weeks.

THE TAKE

Since both teams run their offenses through their respective frontcourts, those are the key matchups of this game. A recovered Kasun joins forces with Sean May and Josh Heytvelt in the paint. Kasun and Papa Dia will have to battle hard to stop mobile big man Joel Freeland, Unicaja's most important player. 

Meanwhile, Zoric must use his size and post skills against May and Heytvelt. Hrvoje Peric, also playing in his home country, will need his size and power against Krunoslav Simon at small forward. Simon has been Zagreb's best scorer in recent games, showcasing his deep range and one-on-one skills. 

Unicaja will try to get the most out of it Gerald Fitch whose matchup against Simon could be critical to the game’s outcome. Unicaja must use its deeper bench and run its offense through Fitch and Freeland. Zagreb must power the boards and get Simon and Heytvelt involved.