MLP Academics Heidelberg – ERA Nymburk Game 1 Preview & Where to Watch

• → Game to take place at GBG Halle am Herzogenried, Mannheim on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 18:30 Local Time (CET)
• → Form check: Heidelberg lost 3 during their recent BBL stretch (including an OT loss to Hamburg) and shook up the roster; Nymburk stayed top of the Czech NBL with a late-December surge.
• → Context: Play-ins opener. Heidelberg have found their footing in the BCL; Nymburk arrive on a five-game BCL skid but historically travel well in Germany.

Flow vs. depth on the Rhine-Neckar

Heidelberg’s European curve is pointing up: two straight BCL wins after a 1–4 start, and their biggest margin in the competition came last time at home (82–62 vs Promitheas). The blueprint is tidy - first-shot quality, tempo control, and clean turnovers -rather than living off transition chaos.

Michael Weathers’ is not part of the Baden-Württemberg side, and the table is looking concerning for Daniel Jansson's team, currently bottom of the BBL with 2 wins and 11 losses. Will they have what it takes to reverse the trend?

Bench avalanche and star gravity

Nymburk have dropped five in a row in the BCL, but the context is quirky: their bench is the most productive in the competition (48.3 points per game, 56.6% of total scoring), and they’ve taken three of their last four BCL trips to Germany. That rotation depth surrounds a true constant: Sir’Jabari Rice has opened his BCL career with six consecutive 20+ games, stretching defenses off the dribble and from deep. The Houston native is leading the BCL with 23 points per game. If the supporting cast keeps its punch, Rice’s usage can be selective rather than heavy.

Inside the margins

• Possession economy: Heidelberg’s turnover restraint vs. Nymburk’s rolling second unit. If the hosts keep it to single-shot trips, bench waves can be blunted.
• 3-point variance: Heidelberg’s form uptick came without wild shooting spikes; Nymburk’s bench threes can flip a quarter if closeouts get loose.
• Matchups in space: Weathers’ north–south bursts vs. switchy wings; Rice’s shot creation against length—both teams will toggle matchups to deny rhythm.
• Late-game nerve: Heidelberg’s confidence at GBG Halle vs. Nymburk’s road comfort in Germany could decide the final two minutes.

Stakes

Game 1 of a best-of-three. Heidelberg are protecting home court to keep the series on their terms; Nymburk are hunting a road reset to push this back to the Czech Republic with leverage.

How to watch MLP Academics Heidelberg vs ERA Nymburk

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