A do-or-die fight to win Group E - and a chance to advance to the Quarterfinal Playoffs for the guests - takes place in Barcelona, Spain, on Thursday when Regal FCB hosts Partizan Belgrade.
Watch Regal FCB v Partizan Belgrade live on SportingBet's live streaming service, from 20:45 CET today.
Barcelona leads Group E with a 4-1 record, but needs to win to finish first and earn homecourt advantage in the upcoming playoffs. Meanwhile, Partizan will finish first with a win, but could be out of the playoffs if it loses and Maroussi downs already-eliminated Panathinaikos. Partizan does not have an easy task, however, as Barcelona is still unbeaten at Palau Blaugrana in all competitions so far this season.
The battle in the paint will probably be the biggest key to this game, as both teams have deep, versatile frontcourts that can damage their opponents in many ways. Partizan can opt to improve its defense with giant center Slavko Vranes, try to look for options in the low post with Aleks Maric or play more aggressive with Lawrence Roberts.
Vranes has the tough mission to guard Boni Ndong and especially Erazem Lorbek, who will try to get him into foul trouble with his post skills and experience. Roberts and Aleks Maric needs to play aggressive against Fran Vazquez and Terence Morris.
Vazquez can make the difference with his blocked shots, mid-range shots and alley-oop dunks.
Meanwhile, Morris is a threat from downtown and can run the floor well against Maric and Vranes. Partizan is quite deep at small forward with do-it-all swingman Jan Vesely and sharp shooter Branislav Djekic. Vesely needs to make the most out of his athleticism and versatility against Pete Mickeal.
Meanwhile, Djekic will test his shooting skills against legendary three-point threat Gianluca Basile. Dusan Kecman and combo guard Petar Bozic have an important mission in this game, none other than stopping reigning Euroleague MVP Juan Carlos Navarro. Bozic will see playing time at off-guard to go against him, while Aleksandar Rasic and Bo McCalebb will share the playmaker duties.
At the same time, Roger Grimau is ready for a big defensive battle against Kecman, as well as offering intensity, driving skills and leadership off the bench. McCalebb faces Ricky Rubio, one of the best defensive players in the competition due to his feel for steals and intensity. Meanwhile, Rasic will not have it easy against Victor Sada.
Barcelona must play with high intensity and get Vazquez, Ndong and Lorbek involved against Vranes and Maric. Partizan must slow down the game tempo and extend its possessions with McCalebb and Rasic on court, trying to find one-on-one options for Vesely and Maric. Expect a big battle at Palau Blaugrana, in one of those intense, unique showdowns that only the Euroleague can offer.