Gran Canaria 2014 hopes to keep its momentum going when it hosts difficult Turk Telekom in both teams' Group L opener on Tuesday night. Gran Canaria is undefeated at home, on a two-game winning streak and in its best momentum so far this season. Telekom just grabbed its first road win and plays Games 2 and 3 at home, so a win in the Canary Islands could be critical for the Turkish powerhouse. The biggest key to this game will arguably be the battle in the paint, as Gran Canaria and Telekom have deep, versatile frontcourts with many options available. Gran Canaria can opt to bang inside with Will McDonald and Sitapha Savane, open the floor with Daniel Kickert at power forward or play more aggressive with blue-collar big man James Augustine. Lamayne Wilson is ready to give Telekom intensity and shooting range. Wilson recorded a Eurocup career-best performance on the road against Gran Canaria with 26 points for Asvel Basket on January 22, 2008. Huseyin Besok and Kris Lang are ready for a physical battle in the paint against Augustine and Savane. Erwin Dudley may be the X-factor for Telekom due to his versatility and post skills against McDonald. Gran Canaria has to fully concerned with stopping former Eurocup champion Demond Mallet, who shares Telekom's point guard duties with Tutku Acik. Marcus Norris must use his experience and on-the-ball defense against Mallet, with Tomas Bellas offering creativity and court sense off the bench. At the same time, Telekom must stop Jaycee Carroll to improve its chances to win. Carroll, a tremendous all-around scorer, will get help from streak shooter Melvin Sanders, hard-nosed forward Jim Moran and defensive combo guard Josh Fisher. Carroll will test his scoring skills against a recovered Serkan Erdogan. Moran will not have it easy against Bekir Yarangume while Umit Sonkol and Soner Senturk will offer intensity and fighting spirit off the bench. Telekom must expect a good game from Erdogan and Wilson, as well as trying to get Savane and McDonald into foul trouble. Gran Canaria must be its usual self in defense and run its offense through Carroll. Expect a very interesting game to open Group L for both teams.
REFEREES: Fernando Rocha, Carmelo Paternico, Gianluca Mattioli