Granada vs Gaza

Anas Najib and Derek could find it easier to beat their defenders off the dribble as teams struggle to put out enough perimeter defenders to contain them both and Shafic at once. Gaza has built their team around big man Nick Fajvan and they’ll need him to defend against this by contesting at the rim and disrupting passing lanes in the paint. Granada will look to Tamer to clean the defensive glass and limit extra chances. Gaza will need Splash to play good perimeter defense alongside Towfeek.

Nick has the tools to control the paint defensively, but for now the paint battle favors Granada.

Granada by 5

Cairo vs Jerusalem

Mahrooz should be able to score consistently for Cairo this season but the attention he attracts and space he creates will set the ceiling for the offense. Jerusalem needs someone with the size and footwork to make it hard to get downhill. They’ve invested a lot in Moayad and Deep, and one of them needs to take on the task. Cairo could use a big Mustafa Brown game containing Omar in space. For Jerusalem, Ahmad Sehwail can be a difference maker helping neutralize Mahrooz and Muhanad on the glass.

If Cairo controls the glass, there may be too many second opportunities for Jerusalem to defend.

Cairo by 6

Beirut vs Kabul

Mahdy will likely dominate ball handling but Beirut’s shot selection will be key. If they can catch teams slow footed, they can get Mahdy easy transition layups and all their shooters standstill 3s. Kabul needs to get back early and play physical. Elias and Hassan have the tools to slow the game down and protect the paint. Beirut may need Ahmad Saleh to emerge as a consistent scorer this season. If Kabul wants to win in the paint, they’ll need Jojo to be aggressive.

Against top talent, Kabul will need a gameplan which is asking a lot of this young team.

Beirut by 8

Istanbul vs Damascus - GAME OF THE WEEK

Against a good defensive team, Ali Hassan’s athleticism against increased on ball pressure will be under the spotlight for Istanbul. Defensively, Damascus needs to fight early in the play to protect themselves from Ali Suiafan in the short and midrange. Between Adeeb, Jay and Moatze, they will force turnovers against sloppy offense. Istanbul could use good 3pt shooting from Zubair to balance their bigger lineup. Damascus may need Nour to give better spacing if they need a scoring spark.

Damascus is well rounded but their scoring consistency is enough of a question to break a close tie.

Istanbul by 2