Cluj/Napoca vs Hapoel Jerusalem: Analysis and Prediction – In Round 14 of the EuroCup, Cluj/Napoca will host Hapoel Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Cluj/Napoca vs Hapoel Jerusalem Odds
Cluj/Napoca Team News
In the previous round of the EuroCup, Cluj-Napoca convincingly defeated Hamburg at home with a score of 104-83. This was Cluj-Napoca’s seventh win in thirteen EuroCup games, which currently places them in fifth position in the group. When considering all competitions they participate in, the team has recorded five wins in their last seven games.
The Romanian club has been making significant progress over the years, demonstrating strong ambition. The arrival of Dusko Vujosevic a few years ago as an advisor to the coaching staff showed that the club knows what it’s doing. Several years later, they now have an exceptionally experienced and talented team, highly competitive in Europe’s second-tier competition. What distinguishes the current Cluj-Napoca squad is the fact that they play at the highest possession pace in the EuroCup. This is reflected in the fact that they score the third-highest average points per game (89.3) in the competition. They are the third-best team in defense, and the fourth-best in offensive rebounds, highlighting the players’ determination and aggressiveness. The diminutive Zavier Simpson leads the team in points (16.8) and assists (7.2) per game. He is followed by Adam Mokoka with 13 points and a 39% three-point shooting percentage. Karel Guzman also contributes to the backcourt, while veterans Sasu Salin and D.J. Seeley round out the experienced lineup. Gediminas Orelik recently joined the team and made a strong impression against Hamburg with 18 points. In the frontcourt positions, Cluj-Napoca has Zach Hankins, who interestingly played for Hapoel Jerusalem in the last two seasons. He is the primary contributor among the team’s centers, while 35-year-old Deshawn Stephens, a former Igokea player, also adds value. Cluj-Napoca ranks in the middle of the pack in EuroCup three-point shooting percentage but is the second-worst team in two-point shooting efficiency.
One area where Cluj-Napoca can build optimism for this game is their home-court performances. In seven home games in the EuroCup, they have a 5-2 record, making them the second-best team in the group. They will surely insist on fast-paced play, which is their trademark, and attempts to resolve possessions early, ideally through fast breaks. They will also have strong support from their fans, who are passionate about basketball and their team.
Hapoel Jerusalem Team News
After a three-game losing streak, two of which were in the EuroCup, Hapoel Jerusalem has now won three consecutive games. In this winning streak, they demolished Maccabi Tel Aviv 101-84 in the domestic league. In the previous round of the EuroCup, they defeated Aris 90-85. They are currently in second place in Group B, with an 8-5 record.
Hapoel Jerusalem’s fantastic results in the EuroCup this season are primarily built on the foundation of excellent defense. They currently have the second-best defense in the competition, with a defensive rating of 104.0. Therefore, it is no surprise that they allow the third-fewest points per game (79.7), even though they play at a relatively fast pace. They play the fourth-fastest tempo and are fifth in the number of possessions per game. Offensively, they are an average team, with an offensive rating of 111.2. However, their outstanding defensive performance has led them to the fourth position in NET rating, which is the most relevant indicator of how good a team truly is. They are led by two excellent players in the backcourt. Jared Harper, who many consider to be a EuroLeague-level player, averages 23.3 points and 5.5 assists per EuroCup game. On top of that, he shoots over 47% from three-point range, which speaks to the incredible season the former Valencia player is having. Khadeem Carrington follows him with 14.6 points, but he has struggled with his three-point shooting. Hapoel Jerusalem lacked some depth in their backcourt rotation, so they decided to sign experienced Tarik Phillip. After four EuroCup games, he is averaging 8.5 points. Hapoel Jerusalem has made significant changes to their roster since the start of the season, as have all Israeli teams for well-known reasons. Considering all of this, they are playing excellent basketball and achieving great results. At this level, it is very important to have a player who makes a drastic difference, like Jared Harper.
In this game, Hapoel Jerusalem must do everything they can to slow down the game. If they can limit the host to an acceptable number of points in transition, their chances of avenging the loss in the first part of the competition will increase. They also need to make sure they battle hard on the boards to prevent Cluj-Napoca from gaining a significant advantage in possessions.
Every day, “Basketball Sphere” provides all its readers with the best predictions for today’s games.
If you are reading our analysis for the first time, then it is important to mention that every day we also offer to our readers a “Acca of the Day” completely free.
Cluj/Napoca vs Hapoel Jerusalem H2H
In the only previous matchup between these teams, in the first part of the competition, Cluj-Napoca defeated Hapoel Jerusalem as the visiting team with a score of 81-73.
Absences and Injuries
Cluj/Napoca vs Hapoel Jerusalem Prediction
Cluj/Napoca is achieving outstanding results and performances on their home court. They have an exceptionally skilled and experienced roster, with players who have played countless high-stakes games, including this one. We believe that the home court will be of great importance to the Romanian team and that they will secure a victory in this match.
Tip-off Time: Wednesday, 08.01.2025, 18:00 CET
Prediction: Cluj/Napoca to win
Odds: 1.79
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
We found the best odds for this game at the popular 22Bet sportsbook. You will get an attractive Welcome Bonus for all newly registered customers if you register today.
Top Betting Offers 2025: