Game of the Week Preview: UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia v Pinar Karsiyaka

REGGIO EMILIA (Italy) - The week six Game of the Week in the Basketball Champions League features a matchup from Group B between UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia (1-2) and Pinar Karsiyaka (2-1). Karsiyaka defended their home court the first time these two teams met, so can Reggio Emilia do the same this time around?

Where: Reggio Emilia, Italy (Palasport Giulio Bigi)

When: 20:30 CET

These two teams squared off in their last game on October 25 where Karsiyaka emerged victorious 83-76.

 

Reggio Emilia lost their first home game in the BCL (84-73 v AEK) and will try to avoid becoming the third Italian team to lose their first two games at home in the competition after Capo d'Orlando and Fortituto Bologna. Andrea Cinciarini has dished out 10 or more assists in his first three games with Reggio Emilia in the BCL, but no player has ever made 10+ assists in more consecutive games in the history of the competition. Karsiyaka won the last game against Reggio Emilia 83-76, but have won only two of their five BCL trips to Italy. Karsiyaka have won their most recent game in the BCL, against Reggio Emilia, but they have been alternating between wins and losses in their last eight games in the competition. Errick McCollum is averaging 26.7 points and 6.7 assists per game with Karsiyaka in the BCL this season – his only double-double in the competition came in his only road game this season (18 points and 11 assists at Telekom Baskets Bonn). [/unordered]

McCollum is currently leading the BCL in scoring this season, averaging 26.7 points per game and is also second in the league with an average efficiency rating of 27. The 34-year-old has knocked down at least five three-pointers in two of the three games so far this season.

He's also shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field and 59.1 percent from three-point range (on 7+ attempts per game). McCollum has a knack for making tough one-legged and off-balance shots, as well as runners, where he is making an unreal 75 percent of those shots so far.

Reggio Emilia's floor general, Cinciarini, is currently tied for second in the BCL in assists, averaging 10.3 per game. The 36-year-old is turning back the clock, as he already has two double-doubles this season (10 points, 10 assists on October 5 and 16 points, 11 assists on October 12). He will look to make history in his next game, where if he dishes out at least 10 assists, that will be the longest streak of consecutive games in the BCL with 10+ assists (four).

Team comparison by the numbers:

Reggio Emilia	Stat Category	Karsiyaka
55.2	2-point FG %	48.8
43.5	3-point FG %	37.3
51	Overall FG %	44
80	Free throw %	72.9
23	Defensive rebounds	22
8	Offensive rebounds	12
31	Total rebounds	34
5	Steals	7
18	Assists	18
15	Turnovers	9
5	Blocks	1
11.7	Points from Turnover	17.3
29.3	Points in the Paint	30.7
20.7	Points from the Bench	19.7