EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips for the week ahead

EuroLeague Fantasy Tips for Rounds 16-17: A pivotal moment

Here comes another double-round week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. At the end of it, we will have reached the regular season's halfway mark. It is an important moment for the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, as everybody will have played every opponent. There are plenty of good opportunities for fantasy managers out there and as always, I have some ideas for Rounds 16 and 17. Here are my recommendations for this double-round week.

[Will Clyburn, Virtus Segafredo Bologna (14.9 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/)

Clyburn is clearly on the rise and has quickly adjusted to Coach Ivanovic's demands, winning the game in Vitoria-Gasteiz with a wild four-point play. Over the last four games, Clyburn has been at his best level, averaging 22.5 points and 6.5 rebounds for a PIR of 26.5. Simply unstoppable!

[Tyrique Jones, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (12.7 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/)

Partizan fans love Tyrique Jones due to his high intensity, outstanding numbers and great connection with Carlik Jones. Over the last three games, Jones has averaged 15.7 points on 16-of-20 two-point shooting and 8.7 rebounds for a PIR of 24.0. Partizan plays at home and Jones feeds off the crowd's energy!

Mbaye Ndiaye, Tyrique Jones, Tamir Blatt, TJ Shorts and Will Clyburn are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Rounds 16-17

[Mbaye Ndiaye, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (7.7 credits) ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mbaye-ndiaye/012731/)

ASVEL needed a X-factor to beat Paris and Ndiaye had an incredible performance, getting 19 points and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 25. He has been playing well all season but has had a PIR of 15 or higher in three of his last five games. At just 7.7 credits, Ndiaye could be the surprise player you need in your fantasy team.

[Tamir Blatt, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (9.2 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/)

Blatt has left his injury behind and is playing at a high level, passing the ball like never before. In Round 15, Blatt had 10 assists and 2 turnovers. He leads the EuroLeague in assists (8.8 apg.) and has averaged a PIR of 18.5 in the last two games. Blatt is a great option for less than 10 credits. 

[TJ Shorts, Paris Basketball (18.2 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/)

Shorts has been unstoppable all season and plays two games at home this week. He is the ultimate competitor and surely wants to play well against Real and Fenerbahce, two of the biggest names in the competition. Shorts rarely has bad games, which gives him a great fantasy value. My superstar of choice!

The final double round week of 2024 tips off on Tuesday, with Round 16 delivering another thrilling set of games, including an iconic coach returning to face his former club. Here’s your full guide to the action.

At a glance: Saras returns to Barcelona and a red-hot Milan takes on the champ

The final double round week of 2024 tips off on Tuesday, with Round 16 delivering another thrilling set of games, including an iconic coach returning to face his former club. Here’s your full guide to the action.

## Tuesday, December 17

### AS Monaco vs. FC Bayern Munich (19:00 CET)

A pair of high-fliers full of confidence and currently tied for second place go head to head as Monaco (10-5) hosts Bayern (10-5). An exciting duel between two of the competition’s hottest guards will see [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) (13.8 points and 5.8 assists per game) take on [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) (20.7 points per night, first in the league), both of whom played vital roles in their teams’ respective wins last week over Fenerbahce and Maccabi. Another key figure in the backcourt is Bayern’s [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/), who leads the league in steals (1.6 per game, including 4 last week against Maccabi) and will try to disrupt the home team’s rhythm. In the paint, [Devin Booker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devin-booker/007056/) will power Bayern (16.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game), but Monaco is bolstered by the return of [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mam-jaiteh/002581/) from injury.

Round 16 Head-to-Head: James vs. Edwards

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (20:05 CET)

Two struggling teams looking to get back on track will collide, with Maccabi (4-11) welcoming Baskonia (6-9). The hosts, on a three-game losing streak, have EuroLeague rookie [Jaylen Hoard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaylen-hoard/006835/) in great form with an average of 19.2 points over the last six games, but they need to fix a leaky defense which has allowed 88.1 points per game – second-most in the competition. Baskonia has dropped two straight and needs to recover mentally from the blow of last week’s last-second home loss to Virtus. A bright spot from that game was 19 points from Greek sharpshooter [Niko Rogkavopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikolaos-rogkavopoulos/011085/), who is shooting at 45.1% from three-point range this season and has multiple triples in the last four games.

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (20:15 CET)

Reigning champ Panathinaikos (8-7) needs to bounce back from last week’s 26-point thrashing at Efes with a visit from the hottest team in the competition, Milan (9-6). The Greens have lost four of the last five, but will be pleased to welcome back leading scorer [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) after a one-game ban. Milan has won six games in a row, most recently underlining its title credentials by cruising past Barcelona on the road behind 33 points from last week’s MVP, [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/). Panathinaikos needs a big improvement defensively after allowing at least 89 points in the last four games, while the Italian team is firing on all cylinders offensively with 90+ points in five consecutive games. The question of whether Ergin Ataman’s defense can slow down Ettore Messina’s smoothly functioning machine could well decide the outcome.

Round 16 Head-to-Head: Grant vs. Causeur

### FC Barcelona vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20:30 CET)

Two powerhouses who are struggling for form go head to head as Barcelona (8-7) welcome former coach Sarunas Jasikevicius and his Fenerbahce (10-5) side. Barca has lost five of the last six due to a dodgy defense which has allowed at least 90 points in each of those losses, while the Turkish team has dropped three of the last four with an injury-plagued backcourt failing to fuel offensive efficiency. Fener can at least rely upon former Barca star [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/), who scored 28 points in last week’s embarrassing mauling by Monaco but only converted 1-of-9 three-point attempts. The home team will try to answer his threat through [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/), who is also looking for a return to form from deep after only making 4 of his last 24 attempts from three-point range.

Round 16 Head-to-Head: Satoransky-Baldwin

### Paris Basketball vs. Real Madrid (20:30 CET)

After seeing its 10-game winning run ended by the French derby loss at ASVEL, league leader Paris (11-4) will aim to start another run against a Real (6-9) way below its best form. The Spanish giant has lost three straight with an uncharacteristically inconsistent offense, partly due to a league-low 9.1 offensive rebounds per night. Two undersized but explosive guards will deliver a spectacle, with [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) (19.3 points and 7.9 assists per game, both second in the league) confronting [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (12.9 points and 7.7 assists, third in the league). Real will look to league-leading rebounder (8.1 rpg) and shot-blocker [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) (1.5 bpg) to control the paint, but [Kevarrius Hayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevarrius-hayes/010390/) (7.1 points and 4.7 boards per night) is among a group of Paris big men fighting hard for another home win.

Round 16 Head-to-Head: Shorts-Campazzo

### ALBA Berlin vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:45 CET)

Playoff-chasing Zalgiris (9-6) will look to make it three wins straight with a trip to lowly ALBA (3-12). It’s a meeting between the league worst and best defense, with ALBA allowing 91.9 points per game while the visitor has restricted opponents to just 75.4 points. Zalgiris will attempt to exploit that home weakness by delivering the same kind of offensive fluidity seen in last week’s big win in Madrid, and the red-hot [Lonnie Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lonnie-walker-iv/013403/) (16.9 points per game) will look to remain the competition’s most prolific three-point shooter (2.8 per night). Last week saw ALBA’s recent signing [David McCormack](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/david-mccormack/013386/) continue a strong start to his EuroLeague career with 16 points in the narrow defeat against Partizan. This week he needs to contain [Alen Smailagic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alen-smailagic/011051/), who has grabbed 7 offensive boards in the last two games.

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:45 CET)

Two ambitious teams high in confidence meet in Belgrade with Partizan (7-8) welcoming ASVEL (6-9). The Serbian team is looking for a sixth straight win, and has [Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sterling-brown/012720/) in strong form with 15.3 points over the last three games. ASVEL has won three of the last four, but all of those successes came at home so now Pierric Poupet’s men need to build on last week’s thrilling victory over Paris by gaining its first road win of the season. To achieve that, big man [Neal Sako](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/neal-sako/010545/) (6.1 rebounds per game) will look to win his personal battle with [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) (6.2 rpg), while the explosive [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) (18.7 points per night) faces a mouthwatering matchup with another red-hot guard, [Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) (14.5 points and 4.9 assists per game).

## Wednesday, December 18

### Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (18:30 CET)

Two of last week’s most impressive winners go head-to-head, with Efes (8-7) welcoming Zvezda (8-7) to break their tie for eighth place. The return of [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) helped propel Efes to a remarkable 26-point triumph over Panathinaikos, as [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) delivered a backcourt clinic with 7 points, 9 assists and 3 steals. He faces a good battle with [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/), who helped Zvezda – which has won three out of four – deliver an equally strong Round 15 performance with 12 points and 9 assists in the win over Olympiacos. Efes converted a remarkable 70.7% of its two-point shots in the win over Panathinaikos, including [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/) making all 6 of his shots, so Zvezda will need strong interior defense from the likes of [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/), who made 7 of his 8 field-goal attempts last week.

Round 16 Head-to-Head: Poirier vs. Petrusev

### Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (20:15 CET)

Olympiacos (9-6) will attempt to emerge from a surprising two-game losing slump by overcoming a Virtus team (3-12) hoping to get on a roll after last week’s improbable win at Baskonia. The author of that triumph was [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/), whose four-point game winner at the final buzzer continued a hot streak which has seen him record a PIR of 20+ in four consecutive games. A key battle will be Clyburn’s matchup with former EuroLeague MVP [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/), whose 19 points and 10 rebounds were a rare bright spot in last week’s loss at Zvezda. That game saw Olympiacos convert just 6 three-pointers, so the Greek team will need the likes of [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) to find his usual range after missing all 7 deep strikes last time out.

This is the final double-round week before the holidays 

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-12-17T19:45:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-12-18T19:15:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-12-18T17:30:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-12-17T19:45:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v Real Madrid (2024-12-17T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-12-17T19:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-12-17T19:15:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-12-17T19:05:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v FC Bayern Munich (2024-12-17T18:00:00.000Z)

A trend to keep an eye on moving forward is the value of home-court advantage

Stats review: Road teams winning like never before

Round 15 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague saw several big shifts in the standings, five teams securing coveted road wins and the end of Paris Basketball’s winning streak at 10 games.  With another double-round week around the corner, the season is barreling towards its mid-point while second and 11th place are still separated by only two games. 

One trend to keep an eye on moving forward is the value of home-court advantage.  While it remains very difficult to win on the road in the EuroLeague, which features some of the best home atmospheres in the sport, like so many other things this season, the current level of parity across the league has trimmed the margins. 

The table above lists the wins, losses, and winning percentages for road teams since the EuroLeague moved to its modern regular season format for the 2016-17 season.  As the table suggests, outside of the 2020-21 season when nine teams essentially played in empty arenas and the capacity of all teams was limited by COVID regulations, away teams have never fared better than they have this year.  In most recent years, the team slotted fourth in the standings has been the last team to break even on the road.  While there have been several exceptions, most of the teams in the middle of the standings have won as much as they have lost away from home this season.

With efficiency creeping up around all-time highs due to the culmination of little things across the league as a whole, offense has been traveling better than it has in recent seasons and that has brought a level of unpredictability to away games that the league has never seen before under normal circumstances. As AS Monaco, Zalgiris Kaunas, and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan showed in Round 15 in comfortable wins playing at quality opponents, the margin for error continues to shrink across the league as the parity is truly palpable. 

Only one team remains unbeaten at home to this point: FC Bayern Munich, which sits only 3 wins shy of matching their total from last season with 19 games to play.  The reason for their success is not hard to figure out on paper—they have been devastatingly effective from the field at SAP Garden.  The 1.14 points per possession they have scored in their new arena ranks among the top home marks in recent history as, at the moment, it is taking that level of excellence for a team to avoid a misstep on their home floor.

Home-court advantage is still a very real thing, but the exceptionally high caliber of play offensively and the competitiveness across the league are going to keep fans on the edge of their seats more than ever.

Protecting home court could be the difference between the contenders and the pretenders this season

LDLC ASVEL won on its home floor for the fourth consecutive game in Round 15 by beating Paris Basketball in the latest Rivalry Series game, and it is a result that can allow Pierric Poupet's men to dream.

ASVEL established its playoff credentials by overcoming league leader Paris

It’s fair to suggest that, when the season began, very few people would have predicted that Friday’s French derby between [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) and [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/) would exert a significant impact at both ends of the race for the playoffs.

After all, Paris is a newcomer to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. And however impressive last season’s triumph in the BKT EuroCup might have been, the prospects of first-year head coach [Tiago Splitter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/splitter-tiago/) guiding his inexperienced team to the summit of the world’s most competitive basketball league seemed remote to say the least.

ASVEL, on the other hand, has struggled to establish itself among the elite during its previous EuroLeague campaigns, finishing at least six wins short of the playoff positions in the last four seasons.

Yet the Round 15 meeting came around with Paris aiming to take its 11th consecutive victory and move into an improbable two-game lead at the top of the standings. And after shrugging off a slow start to the season, ASVEL had the ambition of winning its fourth straight at home to stay in touch with the all-important top ten, level with the mighty [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) and just two wins behind reigning champ [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/).

So there was plenty at stake as the latest installment of the Rivalry Series was staged at the highly atmospheric Astroballe, and an opening 15 minutes which contained 13 lead changes and saw neither team lead by more than 6 points offered few clues about which team would end up celebrating.

But then ASVEL started to take control, with the scoring of [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) at one end matched by intense defense at the other, forcing the visiting team into 4 consecutive turnovers and allowing just one field goal in nearly five minutes. That allowed the home team to take a 47-36 into the halftime interval, giving Paris one of its biggest tests of the season so far.

And although the league leader fought hard to maintain its long unbeaten run, ASVEL played with enough quality, consistency and control throughout the second half to [eke out a 98-93 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/asvel-ends-paris-unbeaten-run-in-all-french-rivalry-series-thriller-98-93/) which was celebrated like a title win inside the Astroballe.

The importance of the victory was not lost on the MVP of the game, young star [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/). The guard continued his stellar season by contributing 22 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, and he admitted it was a highly significant success as he told [EuroLeague.TV](http://EuroLeague.TV): “It means a lot. A great win, everybody stepped up, and I couldn’t be any prouder of the team.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. <br><br>22 PTS | 5 REB | 7 AST | 30 PIR <a href="https://t.co/yr0IXJOWr9">pic.twitter.com/yr0IXJOWr9</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1867711082875478363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Demonstrating the belief that is starting to spread throughout the ASVEL roster after a home winning streak which has conquered heavyweights [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/asvel-rallies-to-blow-past-efes-97-82/), [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/asvel-stuns-real-in-breathtaking-rollercoaster-80-78/) and now the league leader Paris, Maledon said the key for his team was “not being scared of them. We trust ourselves; we’re not going to back down from anyone, and we’re going to fight.”

Coach Pierric Poupet also regards Friday’s triumph as a statement-making success, noting: “The goal was to stay solid for 40 minutes and I thought we did it. We have to stay humble. It’s good to know that we can do good things. It’s a good way to prove ourselves that we can compete in this EuroLeague.”

However, there’s certainly lots of room for improvement with ASVEL needing plenty more wins before it can climb into the top ten, and one obvious need is to improve on the road. ASVEL boasts a 6-2 record in Villeurbanne but has lost every game on its travels, so the upcoming double-round week trips to in-form [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) and [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) represent a major challenge.

“Now we have to get wins on the road,” admitted Poupet. “That’s going to be the next step for us to improve.”

If ASVEL can back up its French derby triumph by taking at least one more win from next week’s double header, belief in this team will start to spread far beyond France and across the continent.

Game News

Friday’s French derby saw the home team confirm it is capable of competing with anyone

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Paris Basketball (2024-12-13T20:00:00.000Z)

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Look back at all the action from Round 15 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

Top 10 photos of the week: Round 15

A career-high effort in a prestigious road victory allowed Zach LeDay of Olimpia Milano to earn Round 15 MVP honors with a PIR of 37, the highest of any winning player in this round.

Round 15 MVP: Zach LeDay, Olimpia Milano

A career-high effort in a prestigious road victory allowed [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/) of [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/) to earn Round 15 MVP honors with a PIR of 37, the highest of any winning player in this round.

LeDay led Milan to [an 81-94 road victory over FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/milan-surprises-barcelona-at-palau-blaugrana-81-94/) with a career-high 33 points, which is the joint second-highest total of any player this season, after hitting 6-of-10 two-pointers, 4-of-4 three-pointers and 9-of-9 free throws. He added 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 8 fouls drawn for a PIR of 37, the second-highest index rating of his career. LeDay has earned MVP of the Round honors for the third time in his 177-game career, having previously secured this accolade in Round 10 of the 2018-19 season and Round 7 of this current campaign.

[TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) of Paris Basketball amassed the highest PIR in this round, 41, but it came in a 98-93 losing effort against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Shorts had 29 points on 11-of-14 two-pointers, 1-of-2 three-pointers and 4-of-6 free throws, as well as 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 10 fouls drawn for a PIR of 41. His 41 PIR is a new season high, beating the 39 PIR Real Madrid’s [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) set against FC Barcelona in Round 12. 

[Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade amassed a PIR of 33 in his team's 90-91 road win over ALBA Berlin. Jones posted 24 points, which included the game-winning basket, while he also had 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 7 fouls drawn. 

[Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) of ASVEL and [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, each with a PIR of 30, complete the top individual performances in Round 15. Maledon recorded 22 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 8 fouls drawn, while Hayes-Davis amassed 28 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 10 fouls drawn.

### Individual highs: Zach LeDay, Milan, 33 points

Zach LeDay of Milan led all scorers in Round 15 with 33 points. [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) of FC Bayern Munich is the competition's top scorer with 20.7 points per game.

[Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/) of AS Monaco pulled down a round-high 11 rebounds this week. Walter Tavares of Real Madrid ranks first with 8.1 boards per night.

[Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv was the only player to reach double digits in assists, dishing 10. Blatt also ranks first overall with 8.8 assists per contest.

[Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) of Bayern collected 4 steals, more than anyone else in Round 15. Weiler-Babb and AS Monaco’s [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) are tied atop the overall standings with 1.6 steals per game.

Six players had 2 blocks apiece in Round 15: Tavares, [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, his teammate [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/), [Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donta-hall/011196/) of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/) of Zalgiris Kaunas, and [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) of Olympiacos Piraeus. Tavares and Poirier are level atop the standings with 1.5 blocks per game.

Blatt (13 points, 10 assists), Olympiacos’s [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Virtus Segafredo Bologna’s [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) (16 points, 10 rebounds) were the only players to record a double-double in Round 15.

Round 15 MVP: Zach LeDay, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 15th winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! Manuel Reiter beat everyone else in Round 15 with their team 'Fumbananana', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 250.50.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 15 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 15th winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Manuel Reiter beat everyone else in Round 15 with their team 'Fumbananana', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 250.50.

Manuel had the following starting lineup: Carlik Jones of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade as team captain, then LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne's Theo Maledon, FC Bayern Munich's Andreas Obst, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's Zach LeDay, and ALBA Berlin's David McCormack. His sixth man was Paris Basketball's TJ Shorts. On the bench, Manuel had Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade's Dejan Davidovac, FC Barcelona's Justin Anderson, Anadolu Efes Istanbul's Ercan Osmani, and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz's Donta Hall. His team's head coach was Bayern play-caller Gordie Herbert.

The prize for finishing first in Round 15 is a free VIP Euroleague TV subscription for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Manuel!

Marko Dukic and his team 'Kughat' remains the leader of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/) overall standings with 2,577.20 points.

Trades are now open for Round 16. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round. You can either trade up to four players, or a head coach and three players.

The first game in Round 16 tips off on Tuesday, December 17, as AS Monaco hosts FC Bayern Munich at 19:00 CET. That game marks the next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner!

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager. 

KK Crvena zvezda made it back-to-back wins in the EuroLeague by downing Olympiacos BC in Round 15, with Georgios Bartzokas having some strong words for his team afterward.

Crvena Zvezda took advantage of Olympiacos's ‘softer than butter’ performance

The [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) players are likely to face some scathing criticism from their head coach Georgios Bartzokas after the Greek side [went down tamely at Crvena Zvezda Meridiabet Belgrade, 87-73,](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/shorthanded-crvena-zvezda-blows-away-olympiacos-87-73/) having trailed all night in the cauldron of Belgrade Arena.

The visitors were given a red-carpet reception by Zvezda fans, with the two clubs nurturing brethren relations thanks to their identical red-and-white team colors, but the home team pulled it from under their feet in a lop-sided contest.

“It was our worst performance of the season. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror and realize that we have to do whatever it takes to win games,” a grim-faced Bartzokas said during the post-game press conference. “We had 17 turnovers, we shot about 20% on three-pointers… defensively, we were softer than butter.

“It’s no excuse that \[big men\] [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) and [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) were out; if you’re a solid team, you go out and play as a team. Today we were really bad and tried to win the game individually, as we didn’t execute the game plan and got beaten on every play which involved contact. We deserved to lose.”

In stark contrast, the home team’s forward [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) was elated after Zvezda produced arguably its most mature performance of the season, having also missed the sidelined trio of [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/), [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) and [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/).

With Bolomboy and Teodosic sidelined by injuries, the in-form Petrusev sat this one out as he was ineligible to play due to a clause in his loan contract from Olympiacos, having been shipped back to his former club earlier this season.

“A huge victory for us, it’s good to be back on a winning streak,” Kalinic said to EuroLeague TV in a courtside interview. “Tonight we played very well throughout the 40 minutes and we are very happy with our focus, physicality and intensity. We were amazing tonight as everyone who stepped out gave us energy.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ru" dir="ltr">Калинааааа ❤️👏🏻<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/NsuI3LdHIp">pic.twitter.com/NsuI3LdHIp</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1867717366869868825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Zvezda’s head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos won a personal battle against his Greek compatriot Bartzokas, as the Serbian side took care of the ball superbly and hit clutch three-pointers to keep Olympiacos at bay.

Zvezda dished out more assists (25-18) and committed much fewer turnovers (8-17), while hitting 10 of 23 from downtown and restricting Olympiacos to 6 of 23 from beyond the three-point arc. 

“We controlled the game throughout and played very good defense, especially in the second half,” said Sfairopoulos. “We found better solutions on offense in the second half and got the lead; we deserved to win and congratulations to the players. It’s a very important win for us and I also want to thank the fans for the incredible atmosphere they created this evening.”

In Round 16, Zvezda visits Anadolu Efes Istanbul while Olympiacos is at home to Virtus Segafredo Bologna, with both games scheduled for Wednesday. They will be in action again on Friday as part of the double-round week, with Olympiacos at home to ALBA Berlin while Zvezda hosts Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.  

Coach Bartzokas lambasted his team following a tepid display in Belgrade

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-12-13T19:30:00.000Z)

Olimpia Milano beat FC Barcelona 81-94 on an emotional night that saw Nikola Mirotic and Zach LeDay, with the Italian using a historical run to break the game open. 


Milan set a stunning record on an emotional night in Barcelona 

Friday night was a special occasion for [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/) star forward [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), who received a standing ovation before and after the game as hundreds of [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) fans remain in their seats to chant his name way after the final buzzer sounded. 

Mirotic's special homecoming was the perfect ending to a truly unusual game, with [Milan downing Barca 81-94](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/) and some hard-to-beat records being made here and there.

[Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/) stole the show with an outstanding individual performance, hitting 6-of-10 two-pointers, 4-of-4 three-pointers and 9-of-9 free throws for a career-high 33 points, 23 of those coming in the second half. He had previously reached 29 points with Olympiacos Piraeus against Buducnost VOLI Pogdorica on November 30, 2018. 

Zach Leday stole the show with an outstanding individual performance, hitting 6 of 10 two-pointers, 4 of 4 three-pointers and 9 of 9 free throws for a career-high 33 points, 23 of those in the second half. He led EA7 Emporio Armani Milan to an 81-94 road win over FC Barcelona.

Zach Leday had career night against Barcelona

His 33 points are also the fourth-best scoring mark for a Milan player in competition history. [Samardo Samuels](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/samardo-samuels/005269/) holds Milan's scoring record with 36 points in a 76-85 road win against Nizhny Novgorod on February 26, 2015. [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) (35 points) and [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) (34) are also ahead of him.

After the game, LeDay revealed a special motivation for this particular game.

"My dad was just with me tonight. The last time I was in this arena. I had to leave and go bury, so my dad was with me tonight," LeDay told EuroLeague TV afterward. "It was just a crazy game, I am just glad we were able to get the win. I was able to help my teammates, and my teammates helped me.

"Like I said, this is my dad was with me tonight, just going out there hooping, just playing, being a dog on both ends, just bringing everything to help my team. My teammates help me. I'm just grateful for the win, grateful I was able to help the team."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHICH IS THE HOTTEST TEAM IN EUROPE?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/KzGnSArtRD">pic.twitter.com/KzGnSArtRD</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1867695278557737394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Of course, Mirotic delivered in his first game at Palau Blaugrana since leaving the club two seasons ago. He had 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 fouls drawn for a PIR of 26. At the end of the game, Mirotic thanked Barca's fans for showing that much appreciation before and after the game.

"No doubt, it was a very, very emotional game for me. As you know, coming here after almost two years meant a lot, to be honest," Mirotic said. 

"And especially seeing these people in the crowd cheering my name at the end and before the game. It means a lot to me that the four years I was here, I did something important for them and that they are happy about it. So for me, this is very special."

There is more, however. Milan cemented its win with a 0-20 run at the end of the third quarter. LeDay, [Neno Dimitrijevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/neno-dimitrijevic/006085/) and [Leo Bolmaro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/leandro-bolmaro/008985/) combined for 16 points that gave Milan the lead for good, 60-76. Until that moment, the game had been a back-and-forth battle.

That is the biggest run by any team on the road against Barca. Virtus Roma and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz were tied for the previous record, each with a 0-18 run in 2008 and 2014, respectively. Moreover, Milan had never gone on a 0-20 run on the road in EuroLeague history. Its biggest run was 0-17 in an 85-86 road win against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on November 26, 2020.

"We are growing. Today, I think we faced a major challenge against a team who was very good. But in this EuroLeague, every game is a huge challenge, so we celebrate today and then we try to keep working" Milan head coach Ettore Messina said. 

"The good thing, as you say, is that we are growing and every day we make a little step forward in terms of understanding the game, reading the game. The defense was much better in the second half, so I am really happy for my players."

Ettore Messina's men used a historical run to break the game open


FC Barcelona v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-12-13T19:30:00.000Z)

Even if Theo Maledon once again grabbed the headlines in LDLC ASVEL's win over Paris Basketball, Mbaye Ndiaye showed that he is here to stay as a key contributor.

Mbaye Ndiaye steadily joining ASVEL’s cast of stars

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) has enjoyed some spectacular individual performances in the opening half of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Guard [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) and big man [Neal Sako](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/neal-sako/010545/) have established themselves as two of the most exciting new talents in the competition, while veterans [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/), [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/) and [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) have sent regular reminders of their quality.

In Friday’s thrilling [Rivalry Series win over French rival and league leader Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/asvel-ends-paris-unbeaten-run-in-all-french-rivalry-series-thriller-98-93/), however, a different star shone brightest as Senegalese big man [Mbaye Ndiaye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mbaye-ndiaye/012731/) delivered incredible levels of energy and effectiveness to record 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 blocked shot for a PIR of 25.

It was a career high in points and PIR for the big man who is spending his second season in the competition, and he also produced arguably the most spectacular highlight-reel play of the game as he received a long outlet pass from Maledon before rising for a sensational slam in transition.

Theo Maledon sends a long pass and Mbaye Ndiaye takes off for a showtime slam!

Ndiaye takes off! Motorola Magic Moment

Ndiaye did not miss a shot from two-point range all night, making all 5 attempts, and showed his shooting range by netting a couple of three-pointers on 5 tries. The 25-year-old also did his job from the free-throw line, making 3 of his 4 foul shots.

Perhaps the most telling statistic in Ndiaye’s performance was the fact that he spent more than 27 minutes on the floor, the second most of all ASVEL players behind superstar Maledon. And having set a career high in playing time in ASVEL’s previous game, seeing 28 minutes of action against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, it’s clear that the big man has really earned the trust of coach Pierric Poupet.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">STREAK-BREAKERS 🙅‍♂️ <a href="https://t.co/YiCIh5U2ip">pic.twitter.com/YiCIh5U2ip</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1867704299532251502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After the game Ndiaye made it clear that showing energy and commitment is his main task for the team, telling [EuroLeague.TV](http://EuroLeague.TV): “We put a lot of intensity on the court. We played together, with energy. I like the atmosphere in the team, we put a lot of intensity and played together.

“The coach trusted me and put me on the court. I have to put intensity, that’s my idea. I take my shots with confidence and that’s it, that’s my job.”

Ndiaye has now recorded double digits in both scoring and PIR in four of the last seven games, and his continuing emergence is another reason to believe that ASVEL can keep on fighting for a place in the postseason.

The Senegalese big man delivered a breakout performance to help down league leader Paris Basketball

LDLC ASVEL brought Paris Basketball's 10-game winning run in the EuroLeague to an end by coming out on top 98-93 in Round 15's Rivalry Series game.

ASVEL ends Paris unbeaten run in all-French Rivalry Series thriller, 98-93

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne ended the 10-game winning run of league leader Paris Basketball, taking a thrilling French derby 98-93 in Round 15’s Rivalry Series game at the Astroballe. ASVEL is now 6-9 and has won four straight at home, while Paris remains top of the standings at 11-4.

A first half featuring 13 lead changes ended with ASVEL surging into a 49-40 lead. Paris fought back after the break, and it was close until the home team pulled away in the latter stages. Theo Maledon paced ASVEL with 22 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. Mbaye Ndiaye added 19 points, Neal Sako scored 14 and Nando De Colo had 12. TJ Shorts was again superb, pairing 29 points with 8 assists, while Nadir Hifi netted 20.

Game Videos

Sako scored three baskets in the opening 90 seconds to send ASVEL ahead. David Lighty added a jumper before Yakuba Ouattara replied from deep and Mikael Jantunen powered a fast-break layup to make it 8-7. Maledon and Shorts netted their first buckets, before Nadir Hifi gave Paris its first lead. Shaq Harrison, Maodo Lo and De Colo all drained triples, then Ndiaye and Lo finished well inside to keep it close at 20-19. Jantunen’s reverse layup and Shorts’s triple gave ASVEL a small lead, 22-24, at the end of the first.

Points flowed early in the second as Leo Cavaliere, Sako and Shorts scored close to the rim, while Lighty hit a triple. Sako and Shorts were again on target inside, before Bandja Sy and Maledon added three-pointers to keep it tied at 33-33. Ndiaye and Collin Malcolm also struck from deep, then De Colo followed a tough layup with a jumper and Melvin Ajinca struck from deep to make it 45-36. Shorts reignited Paris but Maledon scored 4 in a row, making it 49-40 at the break.

Kevarrius Hayes scored the first two field goals of the second half, and Tyson Ward added a put-back to make it 50-46. Hayes scored again and Shorts netted twice in a row to tie it up, 52-52. Harrison’s slam and Maledon’s flashy layup lifted ASVEL, before Hifi and Ndiaye traded mid-range buckets to make it 61-54. Hifi added a threeball but Andre Roberson answered with a dunk and Ndiaye scored again to keep the hosts moving. Another Hifi triple was met by Sako from close range. Ward scored consecutive baskets, but Roberson hit from deep to keep ASVEL ahead, 72-71, with 10 minutes left.

Ajinca opened the final period with a buzzer-beating three, but Shorts scored twice in a row to tie it up, 77-77. Joffrey Lauvergne and Ndiaye dunked but Sy hit from deep and Cavaliere’s free throws sent Paris ahead, 81-82. Ndiaye immediately answered from long range, and it was 86-82 with 3 minutes remaining. Maledon and Hifi traded triples, before De Colo also struck from deep to make it 92-85. Shorts netted twice in a hurry to make it 93-89 in the last minute. Hifi and Sy also scored inside, but ASVEL did enough from the foul line to hold on.

Friday’s French derby saw Pierric Poupet’s men outgun Tiago Splitter’s squad to stay strong at home

As the EuroLeague continues the 25th anniversary celebrations, fans have the exciting opportunity to honor the greatest players in league history. The public voting for the All-25 EuroLeague Team, presented by Turkish Airlines, is now open, marking a major milestone in this anniversary celebration.

Vote Now for the All-25 EuroLeague Team, presented by Turkish Airlines!

- Vote [HERE](https://all25voting.euroleague.net) until January 8, 2025!

As the EuroLeague continues the 25th anniversary celebrations, fans have the exciting opportunity to honor the greatest players in league history. The public voting for the [All-25 EuroLeague Team, presented by Turkish Airlines](https://all25voting.euroleague.net), is now open, marking a major milestone in this anniversary celebration.

Building on the tradition of past All-Decade Team selections, this initiative aims to identify the 25 players who have left an indelible mark on the EuroLeague. Fans can choose from a pool of 100 legendary stars, each recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the league over the past quarter-century. The All-25 EuroLeague Team voting is also a fascinating journey through the history of the EuroLeague. In addition to voting, fans will have the opportunity to relive some of the competition's greatest moments through iconic player photos and video capsules showcasing their most memorable performances. Fans will have the chance to win big through a social media raffle! Five exclusive jerseys will be up for grabs, rewarding lucky fans who take part in the voting process.

### How to Vote

The voting platform introduces an innovative swipe-based voting system, allowing fans to engage daily by swiping right to select their favorite players or left to skip them. Fans can cast their votes every 24 hours and share their selections on social media, sparking conversations with fellow basketball fans.

### Selection Process

Fan votes will account for 10% of the final results. The remaining 90% will be determined by:

- Season MVPs and members of the 2000–2010 and 2010–2020 All-Decade Teams (40%)
- EuroLeague Championship-winning head coaches (40%)
- Members of the media (10%)

The top 25 vote-getters, after combining all ballots, will be named to the [All-25 EuroLeague Team](https://all25voting.euroleague.net).

Fans have until **12:00 CET (noon) on January 8, 2025**, to participate in shaping the All-25 EuroLeague Team. This celebration recognizes the iconic performances of players who have provided countless thrilling moments, solidifying the EuroLeague as one of basketball’s greatest stages.

Don’t miss this chance to commemorate 25 years of EuroLeague excellence. [Vote now](https://all25voting.euroleague.net)!

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