Real Madrid will be looking to extend their winning start to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16 when they host Montepaschi Siena.
A classic Turkish Airlines Euroleague duel – and a replay of last season's third-place game – is scheduled in the Spanish capital on Wednesday, when Real Madrid hosts Montepaschi Siena.
Madrid comes off a big road win against Unicaja, 80-81, on a buzzer-beating shot by Nikola Mirotic. Montepaschi downed Bilbao 81-67, so the winner will become the only undefeated team in Group F.
This will be their sixth match-up since 2010, as Madrid and Montepaschi have faced each other in the Top 16 in each of the last three seasons. Last season, Montepaschi thrashed Madrid 77-95 to register its first road win against the Whites, prompting head coach Ettore Messina to resign hours after the game.
Nikola Mirotic is questionable against Montepaschi due to a severely sprained ankle. Mirotic partially returned to practice and is listed as a game-time decision. Montepaschi is without Ksistof Lavrinovic and Rimantas Kaukenas. Lavrinovic, however, travelled to Madrid and might return this week.
Madrid's main concern will be stopping Montepaschi's key players – centre David Andersen and playmaker Bo McCalebb. Andersen can make the difference with his deep range, great post skills and very valuable experience. He fits perfectly into coach Simone Pianigiani's system, using big men with deep range to spread the floor and improve its ball circulation.
Therefore, Madrid’s Ante Tomic, Mirza Begic and Felipe Reyes must be ready to stop Andersen not only in the low post, but also deny him the chance to shoot from outside. Montepaschi has to find the way to stop Mirotic, the Euroleague's bwin MVP for December, a job that will go to Shaun Stonerook, who has the right mix of toughness, experience and team-oriented play.
McCalebb must use his unbelievable speed and strength against Sergio Llull and Sergio Rodriguez, in what promises to be a big key to this game. Madrid will try to use a tall line-up featuring Kyle Singler and Carlos Suarez to get a size advantage against three-time Alphonso Ford Top Scoring trophy winner Igor Rakocevic, back in Madrid to face his former team.
Montepaschi has a lot of options at both wings, as it can use defensive stopper Marco Carrareto, small forward David Moss or even play twin point guards McCalebb and Nikos Zisis. Rakocevic will test his legendary scoring skills against Jaycee Carroll, ready to bounce back from an underwhelming start to this phase.
Marty Pocius may see extended playing time to use his defence and transition game against Rakocevic. Expect a hard-fought, entertaining game in Madrid.
