There will be two games each night from Tuesday through Friday
This week at a glance: The playoffs are here!
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The playoffs are here! The eight quarterfinalists will be in action on Tuesday and Wednesday as we tip off the best-of-five series with a bang, and here’s everything you need to know.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Paris Basketball
After continuing a memorable debut EuroLeague season by defeating Real Madrid in last week's play-in, Paris Basketball will attempt to steal homecourt away from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.
The Turkish team finished second in the regular season standings and will take confidence from already beating Paris twice this season, most recently last month when All-EuroLeague First Team selection Nigel Hayes-Davis drained a stunning game-winning triple for a thrilling 101-100 triumph.
If that meeting is any guide, we are all set for a spectacular series, and sensational Paris playmaker TJ Shorts – another all-EuroLeague pick – is undoubtedly ready to take a central role after recording a double-double of 19 points and 10 assists in that recent encounter.
Fenerbahce must pay extra attention to its perimeter defense to subdue the scoring threat of Nadir Hifi (2.5 three-pointers per game) and all-action forward Mikael Jantunen, who has made multiple triples in seven straight games.
At the other end, the leadership of veteran Marko Guduric will be important for Fenerbahce to control the tempo, while the physicality of Khem Birch, Bonzie Colson and Nicolo Melli will also be important in grabbing extra possessions against a Paris team which has allowed more offensive rebounds (12 per game) than any other team in the competition. Similarly, Paris big man Kevarrius Hayes can help his team by crashing the boards after averaging 1.8 offensive rebounds per night.
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul
Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman will continue his quest to win consecutive titles against the very team where he achieved that feat, Efes.
The Greek team’s boss has been critical of his team’s recent defensive efforts, allowing 101 and 96 points respectively against Paris and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, and Luca Banchi’s men are well placed to exploit any weakness in the home team after roaring into the playoffs with a run of eight straight victories.
In fact, Efes’s last defeat came at Tuesday’s venue with a 104-89 loss to Panathinaikos in February, when usual suspect Kendrick Nunn performed predictable heroics by netting 36 points. But the Greens also showed they are far more than a one-man team, with Juancho Hernangomez (14 points and 8 rebounds), Kostas Sloukas (13 points and 9 assists) and former Efes forward Cedi Osman (20 points) also shining in that triumph.
Arguably the most important head-to-head battle will take place in the backcourt as Efes leader Shane Larkin – who missed that February defeat through injury – attempts to avoid the attention of Panathinaikos defensive ace Jerian Grant. Similarly, PJ Dozier will look to stick like glue to Nunn, while the versatility of Elijah Bryant can help Efes in many ways at both ends of the floor.
In the paint, Vincent Poirier will be vital for Efes to win the rebounding battle – a key component of a game featuring so many prolific scorers at both ends.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
AS Monaco vs. FC Barcelona
After securing a fourth-placed regular season finish, AS Monaco will attempt to defend its homecourt with a visit from increasingly dangerous FC Barcelona.
The Spanish team roared into fifth place by winning six of the last seven games, and will believe it has nothing to fear after comfortably beating the Roca Team twice during the regular season – 86-71 at home in October, and 84-98 on the road in Round 20.
The sharpshooting of Dario Brizuela was key to that most recent triumph with 27 points on 6-of-8 three-point shooting, and the shooting guard has become a real offensive leader for a Barca team which will also lean heavily on the scoring skills of Kevin Punter and Jabari Parker.
Visiting coach Joan Penarroya has also been boosted by the return to fitness of Jan Vesely, and the Czech veteran faces an intriguing matchup in the paint against Monaco big man Daniel Theis, who has averaged 13.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game since his mid-season arrival.
Vassilis Spanoulis’s team will look for the energy and defensive excellence of Alpha Diallo, who has just signed a new three-year contract, to unsettle the visiting team. In turn, that could allow playmakers Nick Calathes and Mike James to control the rhythm and create scoring opportunities for dangerous duo Jordan Loyd and Elie Okobo, who is an injury doubt for Tuesday’s series opener.
Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Real Madrid
A rematch of the 2023 title game will see Olympiacos Piraeus host Real Madrid for the start of a series that promises to offer a full-blooded battle between two true continental giants.
Real unleashed its full potential by thrashing FC Bayern Munich 93-71 in Friday’s decisive play-in, and has gathered plenty of momentum by winning seven of its last eight games. Olympiacos has struggled with injuries in recent weeks but rallied to win its last two regular season games, sending a reminder of its offensive talent by netting 99 and 100 points in those triumphs.
For Real, finding a way to minimize the impact of Sasha Vezenkov (20.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game) is vital. One key figure in that quest could be Gaby Deck, who is getting back to his best after an injury layoff and averaged 8 points in last week’s play-in games.
On the wings, a pair of three-point shooting specialists will attempt to outscore each other as Evan Fournier (2.6 triples per game) takes on Mario Hezonja (1.9), with the likes of Alec Peters and Dzanan Musa also capable of lighting it up from long-range.
Olympiacos appears to have more backcourt options following the return to fitness of Keenan Evans and the signing of Saben Lee, who could become X-factors in a series opener that will see Facundo Campazzo carry a heavy load in directing the Real offense.