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Play-off contenders in a head-to-head clash

Both teams have improved greatly, this goes especially for Markovic's Trabzonspor who imprved their game level, especially defense

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This is a clash of two teams on the same record (5-6), who are in good shape, and who are arriving after wins recorded after great comebacks.

Markovic refreshed Trabzon, they are playing a lot better, they're disciplined and their defense is better. They've shown character against Istanbul on Saturday, as well as in Austria against Gussing when they scored 30-11 in the last quarter. In Istanbul they turned with 61-54 at the end of the third quarter, and won the last one with 24-8. It was their seventh win in a row, fourth in the Beko League. Considering they have Kolejliler at home and Usak away, Trabzon hope to extend the series and to enter the play-offs.

With Istanbul a lot of players failed, which gives this win additional value. Marshall was convincingly the best in the last week, but on Saturday he stayed without points and 0/3. Play Bost scored only seven points and two assists, but they still had five players with 10 or more points. Bringing Altintig from Fenerbache as a loan was a good move. He scored 13 points with seven rebounds. Hardy took the lead with 16, and Velickovic was behind him with 14 points and seven rebounds.

For today's match Marshall's shape is paramount because he's probably up for a clash with Clay Tucker. Markovic can also use Altintig, and their chances will grow with the duo being good in the defense. Short Green is in top shape, and Bost will have to be very careful. The game will be much harder and more demanding than Istanbul, and we will see how Markovic's players will react.

Ankaran's are currently playing one of the most attractive games in the league. They're arriving to Trabzon after three matches in which they've scored 133 (overtime), 89 and 83 points. Two they've won, and with a 5-6 record they're one of the direct competitors for the play-offs. The season may be in its early phase, but we can already see through some things. They've played well both against Besiktas and Fenerbahce, and they had the winning shot against Efes. They're arriving after an incredible game...

- This will surely be one of the highlights of the season - says coach Burak Goren.

They were losing most of the time against Gaziantep; 80-72 in the fourth, but they managed to turn it around, but with Higgin's three-pointer they went into overtime. Gaziantep had 112-104, and for a moment the winner was clear.

- We may have thought it was lost, but we won in an incredible way.

Tucker had 2/16 against Efes and missed the winning three-pointer. This time he redeemed himself. First he scored for 110-12, then for 113-110. TED's last three rounds were three-pointers, they scored 10 of them, which is, next to 61% of shots for two, enough for a win. It wasn't only important for the points, but these are the wins which effect the whole team. Tucker may have been a hero, he scored 24 points, but the real hero was the small Marques Green who's having an excellent season. He scored 34 points (10/18, 4/8 for three-pointers) and he had 12 assists. His throws were 10/10, he played 41 minutes, and Tucker 44.

Trabzon will prove to be another serious opponent, but TED are not far behind. It's important for Pittman and Aminu to do their job against Stipanovic and Velickovic, and in case Green and Tucker get into the mood, don't be surprised if they take points.