CAIRO (Egypt) - Host club Zamalek have history on their minds as they battle Lakeland Magic in the 3rd Place Game of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2022, shooting for the first victory by an African team in the competition's history.

The Egyptian club is the first team from the African continent to take part in the annual showcase after they claimed the trophy in the inaugural edition of the Basketball Africa League. And the 2022 FIBA Intercontinental Cup is the first time the event is being held in Africa. 

Good result to accompany rich history: Zamalek not only would like to give their home fans at the Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall something to cheer about, but a third-place finish would be a nice result for the club's rich history. Zamalek have claimed a record 15 SuperLeague domestic crowns in addition to the BAL title. Now the club leaders, players and staff would love to add a first-ever victory for an African side at this storied competition.

First win for G-League team: A victory by Lakeland would also be history as the Magic would become the first NBA G League team to take home a win from this tournament. The Austin Spurs lost both games in 2019 and Rio Grande Valley Vipers dropped two games in 2020.

Watch out for: Zamalek did have positives to take from their 78-61 loss to Hereda San Pablo Burgos in the Semi-Finals. Will Voigt's team committed only 7 turnovers and they also grabbed 20 offensive rebounds. The problem was putting the ball in the basket, shooting just 29 percent for the game, including only 22 percent on three-pointers.

  
Lakeland meanwhile had fewer good points from their 94-71 Semi-Finals loss to Flamengo. The American team did score 19 fast break points to just 8 for Flamengo. But Lakeland's reserves were out-scored 44-22 and the team allowed Flamengo to make 18 three-pointers and convert on 58 percent of their two-pointers. Hassani Gravett and Jeff Dowtin both scored 16 points against Flamengo, but no other player had more than 9 points and Lakeland will need to give that duo more help.

FIBA