Real Madrid take on Gescrap BB in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16 and you can watch all the action live online.
This pivotal Top 16 Group F duel features two Spanish teams meeting for the first time in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague, as Gescrap BB visits Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Gescrap (1-1) has had recent success against Real Madrid (1-1), beating their rivals in the Spanish League semi-finals last season to earn a Euroleague spot and at home in the Spanish League this season. As many as five Gescrap players played for Madrid in the past.
Three of them – Raul Lopez, Alex Mumbru and Axel Hervelle – helped the Whites lift their last continental trophy, the ULEB Cup, in 2007. Now the rivalry will play out in the best European competition available.
Madrid has no injury problems as Nikola Mirotic returned to action against Montepaschi last week. Gescrap has been without Janis Blums in the last three games so his status is uncertain.
Mirotic, the bwin Euroleague MVP for January, will be Gescrap's main concern in this game. With his high basketball IQ, deep range and array of post moves, Mirotic can change his game to fit the situation. He leads a frontcourt that also features rebounding machine Felipe Reyes, centres Ante Tomic and Mirza Begic, as well as mobile power forward Novica Velickovic.
Mirotic will not have it easy on the defensive end, guarding Gescrap leader Marko Banic in what promises to be one of the key match-ups in this game. Banic reads the game well and always finds the open jumper and backdoor layup. Tomic and Begic will have a tough job taking on former Madrid big man D'or Fischer, whose size and athleticism can put any opponent into trouble.
Hervelle will be ready for what promises to be a physical battle against Reyes. Alex Mumbru is a mismatch at small forward, as he runs the floor really well for a man his size. Coach Pablo Laso will rely on Marty Pocius, Carlos Suarez and Kyle Singler to stop Mumbru.
Madrid thrives when it can run the floor, thanks to its pair of creative, fast-paced point guards, Sergio Rodriguez and Sergio Llull. Rodriguez must speed up the game tempo against Raul Lopez. Meanwhile, Aaron Jackson must turn up his quickness against a similar player like Llull. Kostas Vasileadis will be Bilbao's main scoring threat in the backcourt, testing his shooting skills against Jaycee Carroll.
Josh Fisher may see extended playing time to guard Carroll. Bilbao must be patient on offense, getting Banic and Fischer involved.
Madrid has to run the floor and keep playing with great energy at both ends.
