Three matchups to watch in Tuesday’s BCL games

Nanterre aim to halt a slide against Rytas

Nanterre 92 have lost their last two BCL games, according to the competition’s preview. The club has started a season with two defeats only once before, in 2018-19. Rytas arrive after an 82-73 win over Sabah BC, their eighth consecutive BCL victory.

Rytas will seek to win their first two games of a BCL season for the first time. The preview notes that the Lithuanian side has scored at least 40 points in the paint in each of its last two BCL games, while Nanterre have allowed that many paint points in only one of their last 16 home games.

The teams also come off domestic wins: Nanterre beat Gravelines-Dunkerque 101-73, with Xavier Castaneda scoring 29 points and adding six assists; Rytas defeated Neptunas 86-77. The league identifies Gytis Radzevicius as the Week 1 MVP and notes his nine BCL point-rebound double-doubles.

Varese host Peristeri in Group D

Itelyum Varese and Peristeri Betsson are scheduled to meet at 20:00 CET. Peristeri have lost their last four BCL road games, but have never lost five in a row in the competition, the BCL preview says.

Peristeri recorded 41 rebounds and 24 assists against BMA365 Bamberg Baskets last week. Ty Nichols scored 20 points and Jalen Finch added 21 in that game; both are in position to pursue consecutive 20-point BCL performances for the club, a feat achieved by three Peristeri players before them, according to the league.

Varese’s Hunter Hale was the team’s only player to reach 10 points against UCAM Murcia last week, scoring 17. The preview says he has averaged 18 points in his last nine BCL appearances as a starter. Both teams won domestically before Tuesday: Varese edged Pallacanestro Trieste 85-84, while Peristeri beat Iraklis 91-89, led by Nichols’ 33 points.

ALBA and Igokea also on Tuesday’s slate

The BCL preview lists ALBA BERLIN versus Igokea m:tel in Group G. It reports that ALBA scored at least 84 points in five of its last six BCL home games last season. Igokea had lost nine of its previous 10 BCL road games, conceding at least 90 points in seven of those defeats.