This weekend, the second round of the season will start as the 12th game-day is scheduled in the men`s Total League. However, some teams have only played 9 games so far. With the start of the second half of the regular season, the direct comparisons become a (big) factor.
For example, the game Arantia – Musel Pikes will be very interesting to watch. In their first meeting, the Musel Pikes lost 64:75 against Arantia, it was the first game-day of the season. Now, this result will play a big role on Saturday-evening in their second meeting as the Musel Pikes will try not only to win the game but push until the end to get a 12-point-lead while Arantia will of course look to win the game but if they lose, they will try to reduce the deficit to under 11 points at the final buzzer to win the direct comparison. This situation gives the coaches another challenge to think about the score of the game at any moment, even if the game seems to be decided. As the last season has shown, the direct comparisons could become the decisive factor for teams to make or miss the play-offs or to get a higher seed in the standings.
Leader Résidence will host Contern in a game between two teams that are currently playing very well and this should be a thrilling game to watch. T71 lost the lead in the standings during the week and they want to show a reaction in their home-game against Heffingen, a team that desperately needs wins to stay in the play-off-race. Over the next 11 game-days, there are several teams that will try to grab one of the top 2 seats in the standings. Places 1 and 2 in the standings immediately qualify for the semi-finals and have home-court-advantage, a huge bonus later in the season. Etzella is clearly another team that is looking to finish the regular season on the first two spots. On Sunday, they will host Sparta, clearly a must-win for the team from Ettelbruck. After a slow restart, Racing needs to show a reaction and start a winning streak, the game in Hesperange could be the start of a turnaround for the team from the capital. After a Covid-19-related break, Basket Esch is back in action with a road-game in Steinsel, the guests are the favorites entering the game but Steinsel can play the rest of the season without any pressure.
JICL MVP race in the men`s Total League presented by QUBE –> JICL MVP race presented by QUBE (second edition)
The direct comparisons play the same important role in the women`s Total League. Most people can certainly remember the calculations that were needed last season to determine the play-off-participants. This weekend, the winless team Sparta will try to keep the difference in points as low as possible against Gréngewald. Amicale and T71 will meet for a duell between the 2nd and 4th seeded teams in the standings. Résidence will have a chance to take a 3-point-lead over opponent Etzella with a win while the Musel Pikes are the favorite in the game against Contern.
In the women`s Total League, T71 and the Musel Pikes have the best chances to finish on the top 2 spots at the end of the regular season. T71 (8:1) and the Pikes (8:2) have the best records, only Résidence can become dangerous (7:3) at the moment.
JICL MVP race in the women`s Total League presented by Lalux –> Women’s JICL MVP race presented by LALUX
Watch all games live in the RTL LIVE ARENA –> RTL LIVE ARENA
