Valencia Basket visit the EuroLeague’s best defense, Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul 

Valencia Basket men’s team kicks off a weekend featuring two extremely tough road games by visiting the home court of the reigning champions of Europe’s top continental competition, Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul (Friday the 16th, 6:45 pm, Ulker Sports and Event Hall, Movistar Deportes 2), in a matchup corresponding to Round 22 of the EuroLeague.

The taronja side will need to find its best version on both ends of the floor to have a chance in a game that presents a clash of tempos on the court of the team that allows the fewest points, boasts the best defensive efficiency in the competition, and most effectively reduces its opponents’ shooting percentages.

In the first-round meeting, a blistering start helped the Valencia side secure a 94–79 victory, but recent history highlights the difficulty of the challenge: the taronja team have lost four of their six visits to this opponent and have been defeated in their last two trips.

Nate Reuvers, who left Monday’s game against Casademont Zaragoza with a sprain to his left ankle, is the main doubt ahead of a double road trip for which head coach Pedro Martínez has included all of his professional players. Valencia Basket approach this game in third place in the standings with a 14–7 record.

Rosters

REFEREES: Ilija Belosevic, Olegs Latisevs, Marcin Kowalski