At a glance: The Greek derby headlines an exciting Round 8

There are several mouth-watering games this week

Round 8 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is headlined by a must-watch Greek derby, while the surprise early-season league leader will look for a sixth straight win. Here’s your guide to all the action.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. ALBA Berlin

Two teams on a four-game losing streak go head to head as Zvezda (3-4) hosts last-placed ALBA (1-6). Long-range accuracy could be crucial: Zvezda has the league’s best three-point shooting percentage (42.4%), led by Nikola Kalinic (11.1 points per game) sinking 56% of his attempts and making multiple triples in four straight games. Isaiah Canaan is also a threat, making 6 of his 7 deep strikes in last week’s loss to Panathinaikos. ALBA, conversely, ranks last in that category with only 27.7% of three-pointers made, despite Martin Hermannsson shooting at 50% from beyond the arc (15.7 points per game on 11-of-22 three-pointers). So the German team needs others to step up from deep, while also needing players like ever-present Louis Olinde to defend diligently on the perimeter.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Real Madrid

Real (3-4) is aiming for its first road win as it travels to a Milan team (2-5) hoping to use last week's Italian derby triumph as a springboard to start climbing the standings. Fabien Causeur excelled in the win over Virtus with 18 points and 6 boards and will now look to punish his former team, but Milan will have to cope without injured-again big man Josh Nebo. Real also has more injury problems with Dzanan Musa absent, so will need fellow forward Mario Hezonja to maintain his hot streak after scoring 15 and 18 points in the last two games. Real will hope Edy Tavares (10.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game) can dominate the paint, but he will be tested by the dynamic energy of Zach LeDay (13.3 ppg).

Paris Basketball vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Partizan (2-5) will look to end a three-game losing slide with a trip to face a Paris team (4-3) which has shown it can win in different ways. The French club edged a defensive battle with Baskonia last week despite nobody scoring more than Nadir Hifi’s 9 points, but it is still the league’s fifth most potent offense with 84.0 points per game. Partizan needs to improve its perimeter defense after allowing 19 three-pointers at Fenerbahce last time out, and that frailty will be tested by Paris forward Tyson Ward, who has made at least three triples in four straight games. Offensively, the Serbian team will hope for more leadership from Frank Ntilikina, whose aggressive attacks to the basket saw him score 14 points in Istanbul last week.

FC Bayern Munich vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:45 CET)

After moving clear at the top of the standings by grinding out two narrow home wins last week, Zalgiris (6-1) will aim to keep on rolling with a tough trip to Bayern (5-2), which has won four in a row and remains perfect in Munich. The Lithuanian team's outstanding defense will be tested by Shabazz Napier, who has scored at least 10 points in five straight games, while Johannes Voigtmann rediscovered his shot with 3-of-4 triples in last week’s win at ASVEL. Zalgiris’s team ethic was illustrated by Arnas Butkevicius top scoring in the Round 6 thrilling triumph over Monaco with his first double-digit performance of the season (13 points), and the ability of former Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri’s team to negotiate tight finishes could be crucial.

Friday, November 8

Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. AS Monaco (18:00 CET)

Two teams currently tied for sixth place meet in Istanbul with Efes (4-3) hosting Monaco (4-3). Veteran shooter Rodrigue Beaubois is in fine form for Efes with 8 three-pointers in his last three games, and Darius Thompson has compensated for the loss of injured star Shane Larkin by averaging 14 points and 7 assists over the last three games. Monaco has struggled for consistency, alternating wins and losses over the last five games, and needs to improve its three-point shooting after only making 2 triples on 19 attempts in last week’s loss at Zalgiris. That game featured a breakout performance from the previously struggling from Jordan Loyd, who will look to stay hot after scoring 18 points in Kaunas.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20:00 CET)

ASVEL (2-5) will attempt to end a three-game losing run with a visit from high-flying Fenerbahce (5-2). ASVEL playmaker Nando De Colo warmed up for his reunion with his former club by recording 19 points and 7 assists in last week’s loss against Bayern, while another ex-Fener star, big man Joffrey Lauvergne, should be fit for action after missing the last three games. The Turkish team will hope that Nigel Hayes-Davis continues his strong form after netting 20 and 24 points in last week's two victories, and Tarik Biberovic is in great form from long range with an average of 3.8 triples per game across his last four appearances. ASVEL must focus on improving its defense, after allowing at least 84 points in each of the last three.

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:15 CET)

The latest chapter of one of sport's most passionate derbies will see Panathinaikos (5-2) host Olympiacos (4-3). Both teams are confident after gaining a pair of triumphs in the double-round week, with the Reds seeing off both Real Madrid and Barcelona behind a strong pair of performances by Sasha Vezenkov (23 and 18 points). Round 7 saw the Greens show great character to launch a fourth-quarter comeback at Zvezda partly thanks to a pair of clutch triples from former Red Kostas Sloukas, with the strong form of Juancho Hernangomez – 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds this season – adding to the weapons at Ergin Ataman’s disposal. Olympiacos has won the last six EuroLeague meetings between the teams, so the reigning champ will believe it’s high time to end that streak.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (20:30 CET)

Virtus (1-6) will make its latest attempt for a first home win with a visit from a Maccabi team (3-4) lifted by last week’s win over Real Madrid. The leadership of Rokas Jokubaitis was crucial to that success with 17 points and 7 assists. Virtus can also offer plenty of backcourt threat with the directness of Isaia Cordinier (14.1 points per game) and the sharp shooting of Marco Belinelli, who emerged from a slump in form to fire 21 points on 5-of-8 from deep in last week’s loss at Milan. Toko Shengelia will attempt to impose himself in the paint for the host after scoring 21 and 25 points in the last two games, but he’ll be confronted by Will Rayman, who grabbed 14 boards in the win over Real.

FC Barcelona vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (20:30 CET)

To conclude Round 8, Barcelona (5-2), one of the four teams currently tied for second place, will seek a return to winning ways with a visit from Spanish rival Baskonia (4-3). The hosts were thrashed by Olympiacos in Round 7 and needs to improve its long-range shooting after only making 4-of-17 three-pointers in Piraeus. Chimezie Metu is in good touch, scoring 21 and 12 points with 5-of-8 triples over last week’s two games. Baskonia has not yet won on the road because of offensive problems, averaging only 68.3 points on its travels. Changing that stat will need a good night from the dangerous but erratic Markus Howard, who averages 13.0 points this season but made just 1 of his 11 three-point attempts in last week’s loss at Paris.