NNJ Summer 2026 Week 5 Predictions

So many great matchups this week. Check out some of the key factors that will swing these games.

Lahore vs Damascus

Despite the narrow shot distribution, Damascus was moving and sharing the ball pretty well. However, without Corey, only Singer was able to threaten the defense. Uncharacteristic game from Ahmad Saleh as well. Lahore will continue to play lots of zone so if Damascus is not hitting, the spacing will feel very tight.

After saying Lahore has been strong in the paint last week, they struggled to score near the basket. They will still look attack as their best players are slashers like Julian and Aadil and a post player in Adham. No one on Damascus appears to be an anchor around the rim but they have a collection of players with size and strength in Corey, Qasem and Obada that they’ll look to utilize.

I think Lahore has an easier time playing their game this week, which gives them the edge in a defensive game.

Lahore by 3

Dhaka vs Tripoli

Despite struggling in the paint, Tripoli still pulled out a huge win, showing they can win in different ways. AK has been perfect for Tripoli, and his 3pt shooting was the difference. For Dhaka, they still have to focus on stopping Mana first. With Nabil as their big, they may need a lot from their help defense and hope Tripoli isn’t shooting well.

Another week without Ty and Ian playing together. Dhaka is a better shooting team than 0-12 from three so they can expect to have better offensive games moving forward. Tripoli has good perimeter defenders like Elias and Moad to comfortably match up with Dhaka and they’ll have strong paint help behind them.

Tripoli is rolling and Dhaka is slipping, so this doesn’t feel like a close one.

Tripoli by 10

Amman vs Istanbul

Amman plays a good amount of minutes with Sal on the bench, which means Nick and Muhanad will have their share of chances to score down low. Despite the inefficiency, Istanbul did a great job of creating second chances on the glass to give themselves the best chance to win. Amman, especially Jay, will look to apply perimeter pressure to disrupt Istanbul’s ability to get it to the bigs.

The athleticism of Amman, especially Mahdy and Adeeb, sticks out as a bit of a mismatch for Istanbul if they don’t get multiple bodies ahead of the ball quickly in transition. The lack of wing types for Istanbul means they’ll either have to give up speed or size in their matchups. I think Nick will have to guard Mahdy but if Mahdy gets hot from 3, it could get ugly.

Amman is not the team to play for an Istanbul squad that hasn’t been great defensively.

Amman by 8

GAME OF THE WEEK: Beirut vs Islamabad

Against a team like Islamabad, Beirut can’t expect to completely shut them down but they’ll look to slow them down for stretches. Towfeek and Jojo will likely split the Shahzaib and Amir assignments. I think the defensive plan has to be centered around making sure those two are able to guard the 3 point line without leaving them on an island to get blown by.

Khalid made his season debut, which is good news for Beirut. Islamabad doesn’t have a great individual answer for Khalid, so if Beirut plays through him, they should be able to create space for others. Islamabad will look to Adam as the first line of defense, but the help has to be careful of Shafic, whose shooting has been a huge boost to Beirut’s offense this season.

Islamabad has been too good to pick against them, but if they don’t play up to standard, Beirut will be ready to keep rolling.

Islamabad by 3

Jerusalem vs Granada

Granada will present a new challenge for Jerusalem, who haven’t thought twice about the paint with Fares down low. Even in a zone, any post entry to Zain will break it down from the inside. Omar Sehwail will be able to find those passes and once it collapses, debutant Joey Capone will make them pay from three. Jerusalem has to deny the post at all costs.

The formula against Jerusalem seems to be to limit Mike’s attempts inside the arc, which means living with his 3s but also takes away the easier shots he generates for players like Fares, Afay and Mo Masri. Contrary to popular opinion, I think Omar Sehwail should take the matchup with Zain helping behind, which will really discourage Mike from attacking the paint.

Granada’s frontcourt duo of Zain and Omar will win the paint battle and have an effect on all areas of the game.

Granada by 4

Kabul vs Gaza

Despite Kabul’s size, they don’t have someone stay in front and contest Omar on his own. The extra help should open up some space for players like Fursan and Moatze to chip in. The focus will still start with playing Omar up close and Kabul will likely look to Saad to take on that role. Depending on who else is hitting, Kabul can use Raied or Marwan on the secondary threats.

Kabul understandably struggled to score efficiently in their first game together. However, they had good ball and player movement and were able to create good looks for Hassan Farhat that he can usually hit. With a lot of players for Kabul attacking the basket, Gaza will feel comfortable knowing Brandon is there to protect the rim.

Gaza's defense takes away exactly what Kabul wants to do and the shooting to punish them isn't there yet.

Gaza by 6

Cairo vs Mombasa

Mombasa continues to roll and against Will, Ali Hassan, Dean and Sal, teams that don’t have a plan are signing up to give up 70. The only way to counteract their perimeter dominance is to regain numbers in the paint. Trey has a monster frame and Cairo needs to utilize it around the basket so they can give help to their defenders on the perimeter.

Cairo likely won’t work through the post, which means Mombasa will feel comfortable with their matchups and continuing to mix in both zone and man to man defense. Will and Elias for Mombasa can guard Jay and Trey if needed, but I think their zone will be the better option here against a Cairo team that won’t be quick with the ball movement.

Cairo’s strengths overlap with Mombasa and Mombasa have been executing at a higher level so far this season.

Mombasa by 6