Here comes Round 13 with less action than initially planned because of COVID-19. Three games (Hamburg Towers vs. Lietkabelis Panevezys, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar vs. Slask Wroclaw, and Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Gran Canaria) have been suspended due to either local legislation imposing quarantine measures on the team or one of the squads not having the minimum eight players on the Authorization List fit to play. Remember, if a game is postponed, it still counts for the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge. All players and head coaches get their average scores even if they are injured. 

Fantasy tips: Good choices all around 

That leaves us with some opportunities in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge market, as all managers can know what score certain players will get. For instance, you can bring back Johnathan Motley of Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar, who has been sidelined for several weeks, spend 15.2 credits and get 25.8 fantasy points. Looks like a wise move indeed. It is just an example of the opportunities you can get if you decide to play it safe. Strategy is and has always been important in fantasy games and EuroCup Fantasy Challenge is no exception.

We have decided to go all-in and recommend five players who should be on the court in Round 13. Here are our recommendations for Round 13: 

**Mathias Lessort, Partizan NIS Belgrade (12.5 credits) -** Lessort joined Partizan a month ago and is playing like he was born in Belgrade and grew up in the black-and-white courts at Kalemegdan. Over the last three games, Lessort has averaged 18.7 points on 20-of-28 two-point shooting (71.4% 2FG), 7.3 rebounds, 7.7 fouls drawn and a PIR of 26.7. Stellar numbers for a EuroCup champion. 

**Jaron Blossomgame, ratiopharm Ulm (13.4 credits) -** Arguably the man of the moment in the competition right now. Blossomgame is having a great season and has posted a PIR of 17 or higher in Ulm's last five games, during which he's averaged 15.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and a PIR of 21.4. His price may be a bit high, but his fantasy value is off-the-charts at this time of the season. 

**Yogi Ferrell, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (12.5 credits) -** Ferrell got off to a wild start (24 points, 11 assists, 38 PIR in his first game in Round 6), slowed down a little bit and is back to his best level. In the last couple of games, Ferrell has averaged 21.5 points on great shooting percentages (88.9% 2FG, 60.0% 3FG, 90.0% FT), 3.0 assists and a PIR of 26.0. Outstanding! 

**Derek Willis, Joventut Badalona (11.4 credits) -** Vladimir Brodziansky is out indefinitely and even though he is expected to be back, Willis should be Joventut's first option at power forward in the meantime. He is fast, athletic and doing very well lately, averaging 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and a PIR of 21.5 over the last two games. Joventut keeps using its bench depth to the fullest. 

**Dimitris Agravanis, Promitheas Patras (8.4 credits) -** A cheaper option that you can use as an early starter, as Promitheas plays on Tuesday. Agravanis has been playing well lately; he had 22 points and a PIR of 24 in Round 8 against Valencia and collected 17 points, 8 rebounds and a PIR of 24 against Bourg in Round 10. Right now, he is playing a leading role.

Derek Willis - Joventut Badalona - (photo David Grau - Joventut) EC21

### Valencia's frontcourt can be critical 

Valencia Basket arrives at this game with a full roster for the first time this season with Victor Claver now back in action. Valencia should use its frontcourt power to stop Mam Jaiteh, as Coach Joan Peñarroya has a lot of options at center: Mike Tobey, Bojan Dubljevic and Jasiel Rivero. Valencia ranks second in two-point shooting (57.7% 2FG) but has struggled from downtown, ranking 14th at 35.5% despite taking many three-point attempts (28.9, 2nd overall). Finding good looks for three-point specialists Klemen Prepelic and Xabi Lopez-Arostegui should improve those numbers. 

Keys to victory: Valencia vs. Virtus 

Valencia Basket v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2022-02-09T19:45:00.000Z)

### Turk Telekom: No place like home

Turk Telekom Ankara is undefeated at home (5-0) in the EuroCup this season. It is averaging 75.0 points on strong shooting percentages (54.0% 2FG, 36.9% 3FG) and 17.7 assists, but those numbers go up to 80.0 points (56.7% 2FG, 43.2% 3FG) and 18.6 assists in front of its fans. It allows 79.6 points on average, but just 70.8 in Ankara. Stopping Ante Tomic should be a big key and Turk Telekom relies on center Octavius Ellis against him. If Aaron Harrison remains sidelined, Anthony Clemmons and Aubrey Dawkins must be ready to lead the hosts' backcourt. 

### Joventut looks for full control on offense

Joventut Badalona relies on its very experienced backcourt, led by Pau Ribas, Brandon Paul and Ferran Bassas, to make the difference at Ankara Spor Salonu. Vladimir Brodziansky is sidelined, so Derek Willis and Joel Parra should see more playing time at power forward with the tough mission of guarding JaJuan Johnson, Turk Telekom's most experienced player. Joventut is shooting the ball well this season (57.5% 2FG, 37.5% 3FG) and dishing 21.1 assists on average. As always, getting Tomic involved on offense should be important, as his unique passing skills and basketball IQ can make the difference in any game.

Keys to victory: Turk Telekom vs. Joventut 

Turk Telekom Ankara v Joventut Badalona (2022-02-09T17:00:00.000Z)

Taking care of the ball is certain to be a priority for these teams and with good reason. Ulm has committed the second-fewest turnovers in the EuroCup this season with 15.6 per game. The only team with more turnovers is Cedevita (16.4 per game). Each turnover has the potential to be a triple whammy as it not only means the end of a possession and sometimes an easy basket at the other end, but they can also affect momentum. Ulm has three players in the top 10 in turnovers; Sindarius Thornwell leads the competition with 3.1, Semaj Christon is tied for second with 3.0 and Cristiano Felicio is sixth with 2.8. Cedevita’s biggest offender is Jaka Blazic with 2.5 per game, though Zoran Dragic (4.3) and Yogi Ferrell (3.0) would also appear among the leaders if they had played enough games.

Cedevita is a team with several no-nonsense rebounders, including Alen Omic, Melvin Ejim, Zach Auguste and Edo Muric, however, it has only outrebounded opponents by 0.9 boards per game this season. That has changed with Omic in the lineup; Cedevita has won the battle of the boards in four of its last five games and has outrebounded opponents by 7.8 per game over that stretch. Ulm has outrebounded opponents by 4.6 per game this season thanks to Felicio, Jaron Blossomgame and Thornwell, the first two of whom are third and fourth in the EuroCup with 7.8 and 7.7 rebounds per game, respectively. The battle of the boards will be one of the keys to this game.

ratiopharm Ulm had won back-to-back games before falling in Venice last week and now will try to get back on track at home against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, which comes off a big win over Frutti Extra Bursaspor. When these teams met in Round 4, Ulm outlasted Cedevita 96-101 after two overtimes. 

Keys to victory: Ulm vs. Valencia

ratiopharm Ulm v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2022-02-09T18:30:00.000Z)

Melvin Ejim - Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - EC21

Buducnost’s ballhandlers have excelled this season at taking care of the basketball. The Montenegrin champs have committed the third-fewest turnovers in the competition (11.9 per game). This week they will be challenged by an aggressive Reyer backcourt featuring Julyan Stone, Jordan Theodore and Michele Vitali, all of whom average at least 1 steal per game. Reyer is third in the EuroCup in steals (8.5 apg.) and third in forced turnovers (15.3 per game). How well Justin Cobbs, DJ Seeley and recent addition Kendrick Perry can handle the pressure and even raise the number of assists – Buducnost is 19th in the EuroCup with just 15.8 assists per game, the hosts will be in a favorable position.

Reyer has been outrebounded this season by an average of 4.5 rebounds per game. It has only taken 8.6 offensive boards per game, which is among the lowest in the competition. Buducnost, in contrast, has outrebounded opponents by 1.4 rebounds per game. Reyer has moved to improve in that aspect by signing Jordan Morgan, who has not played for the club yet. If he debuts this week, Morgan bolsters a frontline led by Mitchell Watt and Martynas Echodas and if they can control the glass, it will be a boon for Reyer.

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica and Umana Reyer Venice meet on Wednesday with each team trying to turn an important Round 12 victory into a winning streak. When they met earlier this season, Reyer bested Buducnost 72-67 behind 25 points from Mitchell Watt.

Keys to victory: Buducnost vs. Reyer

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Umana Reyer Venice (2022-02-09T18:00:00.000Z)

Bursaspor lost its top scorer when Allerik Freeman joined CSKA Moscow last week and the team may need to focus more on the defensive end to get back on the winning track. So far this season, Bursaspor’s defense has allowed opponents to make a league-high 39.1% of their three-pointers plus 56.7% of two-pointers, which is third-highest. The team may still be shorthanded, but there are still several excellent defenders on the roster. Bringing the aforementioned numbers down is certainly one of the keys for Bursaspor this week at home, where the team is 2-2 this season.

While Bursaspor has struggled to stop other teams’ shooters, Promitheas is among the worst teams in the league at making baskets. It ranks 18th of the 20 EuroCup teams in both two-point (49.6%) and three-point (31.3%) shooting accuracy. Even when these teams met in November and Promitheas won 83-80 in overtime, it made just 16 of 44 two-pointers (36.4%). However, three-point shooting has been a mark of Promitheas success; the team has made 30 of 67 threes (44.5%) in its three wins. A great shooting night from Kendrick Ray and Nikos Rogkavopoulos could make all the difference for the visitors this week.

Frutti Extra Bursaspor will try to put a three-game losing streak behind when it hosts Promitheas Patras in Round 13’s first game.

Keys to victory: Bursaspor vs. Promitheas

Frutti Extra Bursaspor v Promitheas Patras (2022-02-08T17:00:00.000Z)

The troubles for Trento start and begin with its attack. Not only has it averaged the fewest points in the competition (72.0 ppg.), Trento is also ranked last in both two-point (45.2%) and three-point shooting (29.2%). The need to score is even greater against Metropolitans, which figures to have more opportunities to score. Coach Collet’s side has committed the fewest turnovers in the EuroCup (11.3 per game) and taken the furth-most offensive boards (11.4 per game). What’s more, Trento has collected the second-fewest steals (5.6 spg.) this season. The hosts’ best chance to win is to maximize its points per possession.

Metropolitans can maximize its chances to win by dominating the glass. Metropolitans has averaged 2.8 rebounds more per game than its opponents, while Trento has given up the most rebounds (40.8 rpg.) and been outrebounded by 5.0 per game. With Vince Hunter, Tomer Ginat and Miralem Halilovic, the visitors have the horses to control the rebounding battle, which could lead to lots of easier shots in transition. And if Metropolitans get running, they will be tough to stop.

Dolomiti Energia Trento hosts Boulogne Metropolitans 92 on Tuesday as it tries to put an end to a seven-game losing streak. Metropolitans have won three in a row.  

Keys to victory: Trento vs. Metropolitans

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Boulogne Metropolitans 92 (2022-02-08T19:00:00.000Z)

Keys to victory: Partizan vs. Andorra 

### Partizan: hustle is key 

Partizan NIS Belgrade has excelled in all hustle stats this season and needs to carry on doing that against a physical team in MoraBanc Andorra. Partizan leads the EuroCup in blocked shots (3.8 bpg.), is fourth in steals (8.3 spg.) and pulls down 11.2 offensive rebounds on average. Stopping former Partizan playmaker Codi Miller McIntyre should be one of the biggest keys to this game, as Andorra runs its offense through him. Partizan ranks fifth in scoring (84.6 ppg.) this season and should keep playing at a high rhythm to find open shots in transition.

### Andorra relies on Miller-McIntyre

Andorra comes off a home loss against Hamburg Towers in which not finding the right rhythm was key. Andorra only drew 16 fouls and went to the foul line 8 times. It needs to be more aggressive against Partizan in Belgrade. Miller-McIntyre should have extra motivation in his return to Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. Andorra relies on its physical frontcourt, led by Moussa Diagne and Babatunde Olumuyiwa, to stop Zach LeDay and Mathias Lessort around the basket. Avoiding turnovers (13.9 per game) should also give Andorra a better chance to win in the Serbian capital.

Partizan NIS Belgrade v MoraBanc Andorra (2022-02-09T19:30:00.000Z)

### Partizan NIS Belgrade head coach Zeljko Obradovic:

"Andorra is a team that has been playing very well lately, they are in exceptional shape. They won the last two games in the Spanish championship, Real in Madrid and Joventut a few days ago, where they dominated from start to finish and had a difference of 30 points at one point and ended up with 20. That should be an additional motivation for us to play against a team that is in exceptional shape.

"The importance of the game is, of course, as great as all the games we will play in the EuroCup until the end. We know that the competition system is such that we should have the advantage of the home court, but I think it is much more important in what form we will be at the moment when you either win or you finish the competition.

"Of course, in front of our fans, the desire and fighting spirit must always be at a very high level, and we hope to win and play the best we can against a very good opponent who is in great shape."

### Partizan NIS Belgrade player Mathias Lessort:

"It’s going to be a tough game; they are a good team. We lost our last two games in the EuroCup. Now, we are back home, so we must secure the victory. Andorra has a lot of good players, especially the point guards, but we are ready for a big fight all 40 minutes. Like I said, we lost our last two games in EuroCup away, so we have to make sure we don't stay on that losing streak. We have the chance to play at home in front of our fans, and we know how important it is for this club. So, we have to make sure we get that win at home."

### MoraBanc Andorra head coach David Eudal:

"They are a better team than us and there's nothing wrong in saying it, but we go there with the full intention of competing to the fullest. The victories of recent weeks help us continue believing in the work we do and in our confidence. It will be nice for the players to play in Pionir and have the experience of competing there."

### MoraBanc Andorra player Victor Arteaga:

"We are in a good moment and we want to continue like this despite knowing that Partizan is a very tough team. We improved our game in the last weeks, especially in the open court. We should be focused for 40 minutes to have options against Partizan."

Here are some insightful comments from the game protagonists themselves.

Pre-game quotes: Partizan vs. Andorra

David Eudal - MoraBanc Andorra (photo Trento) - EC21