The Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16 continues on Thursday with Unicaja going up against Real Madrid in Group F.
An exciting all-Spanish match-up between two Turkish Airlines Euroleague powerhouses is set for Thursday, when Unicaja welcomes Real Madrid in Group F in Malaga.
Unicaja enters its seventh consecutive Top 16 appearance and Madrid has survived this stage in each of the last three years. Both teams have faced each other many times in the Spanish League, but only four times in the Euroleague, splitting home wins.
Madrid is the top scoring team in the competition (87.9 ppg.) while Unicaja leads the Euroleague in offensive (13 orpg.) and total (38 rpg.) rebounds. Expect a great crowd at Martin Carpena Arena as both teams open the Top 16 with a decisive showdown.
Unicaja lost star centre Joel Freeland for at least two weeks due to a severely sprained ankle. Tremmell Darden is still out due to a hand problem while Kris Valters missed practice but will be able to help his team this week. Unicaja parted ways with Saul Blanco and Uros Tripkovic during the holiday break. Madrid has its full roster available, but Novica Velickovic is seeing limited playing time due to physical problems.
Freeland's injury has forced Chus Mateo to change his game plan. Luka Zoric will be the hosts' main reference in the paint and Jorge Garbajosa will get the most minutes at power forward against his former team, while Nedzad Sinanovic – another former Madrid player – and Augusto Lima will offer size and energy off the bench.
Sinanovic, the tallest player in the Top 16, will probably see extended playing time to guard Mirza Begic and Ante Tomic, in what should be a decisive match-up in this game. Garbajosa needs to make use of his experience against reigning Rising Star award winner Nikola Mirotic, who earned bwin December MVP honours and arrives in Malaga in great shape.
Felipe Reyes faces a very interesting matchup against Zoric, as both are physical, blue-collar players ready to battle for rebounds. Madrid must try to stop scoring ace Gerald Fitch, who will get even more touches without Freeland around.
Fitch will get plenty of help at both wings from small forward Hrvoje Peric, team captain Berni Rodriguez and swingman Mark Payne. Fitch will not have it easy against top defensive stopper Marty Pocius, and Rodriguez will need his all defensive energies against Jaycee Carroll, Madrid’s top scorer. Carlos Suarez and Kyle Singler must use their size and rebounding skills against Payne and Peric at small forward.
Sergio Rodriguez and Sergio Llull will share minutes at point guard. Rodriguez must be alert against Valters, whose deep range can change a game. Llull must be aggressive and run the floor against EJ Rowland.
Madrid must play up-tempo, get Tomic and Mirotic involved and power the offensive board. Unicaja needs Fitch and Zoric to step up and win the battle under the boards.
