Basketball Champions League Week 5 Preview - SIG-Pinar and JDA Dijon-Promitheas take the spotlight in 9-game week

Galatasaray vs Benfica Game Preview

• → Tipoff Time: Tue, 17:00 GMT
• → Date: November 14, 2023
• → Location: Sinan Erdem Dome, Istanbul

Galatasaray at a Crossroads
Facing a challenging start to the season, Galatasaray confronts a crucial moment in their BCL journey. Defensive struggles have been a significant concern, as the Turkish side is the third worst team by Defensive Rating so far in the Basketball Champions League.

Will Benfica do it again on the road?
Benfica, with a strong away game record, faces another test of resilience in their first BCL game on the road this season. The defeat in Türkiye against Darussafaka during the 22-23 play-ins means the Portuguese side will be looking for redemption at the Sinan Erdem Dome.

Rytas Vilnius vs BK Opava Game Preview

• → Tipoff Time: Tue, 17:30 GMT
• → Date: November 14, 2023
• → Location: Siemens Arena, Vilnius

Rytas's last call

Rytas Vilnius seeks to turn around their early-season challenges in the BCL. Their strength in three-point shooting could be a crucial factor in this pivotal game, as the Lithuanian champions have scored 10 triples per game in their last four home games.

Opava's Quest for an Away Victory

BK Opava, still seeking their first BCL away win, face another challenge after being blown out in the opening two games of the season. Adam Pechacek's scoring ability could be key to their performance, but they need to find offense elsewhere if they are to find their first joy on the road.

JDA Dijon vs Promitheas Patras Game Preview

• → Tipoff Time: 19:00 GMT
• → Date: November 14, 2023
• → Location: Palais des Sports Jean-Michel Geoffroy, Dijon

Dijon Riding the Wave of Success
JDA Bourgogne Dijon, on a winning streak, look to extend their success. Their offensive capability, especially in the first stages of the game, has proven central in their recent performances. In Promitheas, they find another opponent still to lose in the BCL this season.

Promitheas's Test of Adaptability
Promitheas Patras looked solid so far but face a significant challenge in Dijon. Their bench strength, particularly Anthony Cowan's scoring ability, could be pivotal. Bench performance might be the deciding factor, with the home side having registered back-to-back games with 40 points.

UCAM Murcia vs Tofas Bursa Game Preview

• → Tipoff Time: Tue, 19:30
• → Date: November 14, 2023
• → Location: Palacio de Deportes de Murcia, Murcia

Murcia's Defense to Face Tofas test
UCAM Murcia, 2nd for defensive rating in the BCL, will aim to maintain their record of rarely allowing opponents to score over 70 points. In Tofas, they face the sixth-best BCL offense so far. Will the Spaniards withstand the visitors' offensive efficiency?
Tofas looking for Consistency
Tofas Bursa, striving for consistency on the road, will rely on Zeljko Sakic and Dylan Ennis' performances to challenge Murcia's defense.

Hapoel Holon vs Rio Breogan Game Preview

• → Tipoff Time: 19:30 GMT
• → Date: November 15, 2023
• → Location: Arena Riga, Riga

Holon looking for back-to-back wins

Hapoel Holon, playing away from their usual home ground, face Rio Breogan, a team looking for redemption after their recent defeat. Their record against Spanish teams is 2 wins and 6 losses, a trend the Israeli side, fresh off upsetting Bonn on the road, will want to revert as soon as possible.

Breogan Looking for an Upset

Breogan will want to bounce back for their disappointing loss against BCL champions Bonn. Attempting only 42 shots against the German side, Breogan have written their names in BCL history for all the wrong reasons. They will look to overcome the tough Holon challenge by building on their impressive defensive paint domination. Will it be enough?

PAOK Mateco - Hapoel Bank Jahav Jerusalem Game Preview

• → Tipoff Time: 17:30 GMT
• → Date: November 15, 2023
• → Location: Paok Sports Arena, Thessaloniki

PAOK looking to bounce back after Benfica Blowout

PAOK's home debut comes with a tough opponent, as Hapoel Jerusalem currently sits at 2-0 atop Group G after their wins over Galatasaray and Benfica. PAOK will debut at the Paok Sports Arena, and a win would be of vital importance to them. However, they've only won one of their six home debuts in the BCL.

Hapoel back to Greece after AEK defeat

Jerusalem have a shaky road record in Greece, where they've been alternating wins and losses. Their trip to Thessaloniki will mark their sixth road trip to Greece. Will they make it three wins? Two conflicting styles will clash at the PAOK sports arena, with Hapoel 5th for pace (possessions per game) and PAOK 2nd last.

Will Hapoel's full-court offense triumph, or will the home side with their slower halfcourt system have the last say?

SIG Strasbourg – Pinar Karsiyaka Game Preview

• → Tipoff Time: 19:00 GMT.
• → Date: November 15, 2023.
• → Location: Rhenus Sport, Strasbourg.

Sitting at the top of Group E in the Basketball Champions League, SIG Strasbourg and Pinar Karsiyaka will face off at the Rhenus Sport to leave only one unbeaten. Strasbourg's defense is what took them to their 2-0 record after two wins over Oldenburg and Oostende, while Pinar boasts the BCL's fifth Offensive Rating.

Making it three in a row

SIG have won their first three games in 2018/19, while Pinar have never won their first three games (per Opta). Both teams will be looking to exert their dominance of opposite ends of the floor. Hugo Invernizzi looks to make it three double-digits game on the spin for SIG (a feat he's only achieved in 2017).

Getting the upper hand in the paint

Stragsbourg's defense will have to focus on preventing easy access to the paint for Pinar. The Turkish side has scored 40 points in the area in their first two BCL games this year, fueled by Vernon Carey's 16.5 points per game and Darrun Hillard's 15 on over 75% from the field.

One win away from huge milestone

If SIG Strasbourg secure the W on Wednesday, that will make them the third team to win 60 Basketball Champions League game after Lenovo Tenerife and AEK Betsson (per Opta).

Filou Oostende – EWE Baskets Oldenburg Game Preview

• → Tipoff Time: 19:30 GMT.
• → Date: November 15, 2023.
• → Location: COREtec Dôme.

Oostende and Oldenburg find themselves 0-2 in the BCL, with the visitors losing by two points in each of the two games they played. Despite being agonisingly close to securing a win, Oldenburg find themselves with their backs against the wall, and on a seven-game losing streak. To break that, they'll need to win their first road game since the derby with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in March 2018 (per Opta).

Filou looking for first win

Dario Gjerja will look to make the most of Filou's home debut this season in the BCL, although they achieved this only twice in their first BCL participations. Losing this game will virtually eliminate both teams from postseason contention, therefore we expect a nervous affair between two teams in desperate need of success.

Bertram Derthona Tortona – Igokea m:tel Game Preview

• → Tipoff Time: 19:30 GMT.
• → Date: November 15, 2023.
• → Location: Pala Ferris, Casale Monferrato.

One of the most resilient BCL teams so far, unbeaten Tortona won their first two contests despite being down at half-time in both. They look confident to advance to the next stage especially as they host Igokea m:tel, with the team from Aleksandrovac on a five-game losing streak.

Paint key factor in Tortona vs Igokea

Tortona's points mostly come from the paint, a zone of the court Igokea have struggled to defend, having allowed 61.4% of their points so far in the paint (the highest of any BCL team this season).

A win would get Igokea back in contention for the 2nd place in Group H, while Tortona might become the fourth Italian team to go 3-0 in BCL history, and cement their position as favorites to come away on top after the group stage.