Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips ahead of Round 24 in the EuroLeague.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips, Round 24: Riding the wave!

Round 24 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is around the corner, which means there is another opportunity to win in the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/). 

It is a very ordinary week, with just one game per EuroLeague team and four trades per fantasy squad. A lot of players stood out lately and should keep riding their personal momentum. These are my recommendations for this week's games.

Marko Guduric, Sylvain Francisco, Tamit Blatt, Chima Moneke and Wenyen Gabriel are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Round 24

### Wenyen Gabriel, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (10.5 credits)

It looked like an obvious choice for most fantasy managers, and [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/) definitely delivered. Without injured centers Mathias Lessort and Omer Yurtseven, Gabriel saw extended playing time and made certainly took advantage by posting 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and a PIR of 28 in almost 34 minutes. He's arguably the biggest bargain in the game right now!

### Sylvain Francisco, Zalgiris Kaunas (12.0 credits)

I picked two players going against their former team this week. [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) is one of them, but there is much more than sporting revenge. He has been playing really well lately, getting a PIR of 21 or higher in five of his last nine games. Francisco had 20 points and a PIR of 16 against Bayern in Munich when they played back in Round 8. He should lead Zalgiris in Round 24.

### Chima Moneke, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (17.3 credits)

Simply put, [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) is my superstar of choice in Round 24, the player that has the best chance to get the highest PIR. He had a PIR of -5 at halftime of a Spanish League this past weekend and finished it with a PIR of 26. In the last two EuroLeague games, Moneke has averaged 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and a PIR of 28.5. It is Chima time in the game!

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBMP7XVIyzj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Chima Moneke (@chimdoggg)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### Tamir Blatt, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (9.7 credits)

[Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) played for ALBA in the past and should be extra motivated against his former team. Even though all of Maccabi's guards are back in action, Blatt saw a lot of playing time last week, getting 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and a PIR of 23 in a winning effort against Zvezda. This should be a really high-scoring game and Blatt could be a big steal.

### Marko Guduric, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (11.1 credits)

Fenerbahce is the only undefeated team in January and Marko Guduric is leading his team in PIR this month. His team keeps winning despite all of its backcourt injuries, and Guduric is a big reason why. In the last two games, Guduric has averaged 21.5 points on 6-of-6 two-pointers, 5-of-7 three-pointers and 14-of-15 free throws, as well as a PIR of 24.5. Wow! 

Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips ahead of Round 24

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-01-31T17:30:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v FC Barcelona (2025-01-30T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-01-30T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v ALBA Berlin (2025-01-30T19:05:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v FC Bayern Munich (2025-01-30T18:00:00.000Z)

Round 24 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague offers a thrilling set of games, culminating with one of the world’s most passionate derbies on Friday night. This is what we can look forward to...

Round 24 at a glance: Into the final third of the season!

Round 24 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague offers a thrilling set of games, culminating with one of the world’s most passionate derbies on Friday night. This is what we can look forward to...

## Thursday, January 30, 2025

### Zalgiris Kaunas vs. FC Bayern Munich (19:00 CET)

Inconsistent Zalgiris (11-12) will look to revive its playoff hopes by prevailing in a visit from a Bayern team (13-10) aiming to collect back-to-back road wins following its [Round 23 success at ALBA](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/edwards-obst-combine-for-55-in-bayerns-84-99-win-at-alba/). After failing to score a single field goal in the fourth quarter of last week’s capitulation to Panathinaikos, the home team will look to quickly regain confidence by making a strong start. Bayern’s attack will be spearheaded by [Round 23 MVP](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/round-23-mvp-carsen-edwards-fc-bayern-munich/) [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/), who faces an intriguing backcourt tussle with his former Bayern teammate [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/). Edwards won the scoring duel between the pair 24-20 in Round 8, helping his team edge [a 77-74 decision](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bayern-holds-off-zalgiris-77-74-to-climb-atop-the-table/), so Zalgiris will be targeting a winning margin of at least 4 points to claim the head-to-head advantage.

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. ALBA Berlin (20:05 CET)

Maccabi (6-17) will look to win two consecutive games for the first time all season with a visit from rock-bottom but still competitive ALBA (3-20). The Israeli champion boosted its confidence with a solid [success over Zvezda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/sharpshooting-maccabi-rolls-over-crvena-zvezda-85-73/) last week and will hope that veteran leader [John DiBartolomeo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-dibartolomeo/007990/) can deliver another big night after netting 15 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting in that game. Maccabi can certainly count on creativity from its backcourt, with league-leading assister [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) (7.4 assists per game) and [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/) (12.2 points and 5.3 assists per night) both in good form. ALBA also possesses plenty of backcourt talent, with [Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matteo-spagnolo/008173/) (10.4 ppg.), [Gabriele Procida](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/gabriele-procida/008384/) (10.4) and [Martin Hermannsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/martin-hermannsson/008780/) (10.7) all averaging in double digits scoring, so it should be a fast-moving and entertaining spectacle.

### Paris Basketball vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:30 CET)

The French derby will see two ambitious teams meet for a crucial showdown when Paris (13-9) welcomes ASVEL (11-12). The visiting team will draw plenty of confidence from last week’s [solid victory over Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/theo-maledon-leads-the-way-as-asvel-downs-barcelona-100-94/), which saw [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) (22.8 average PIR, third best in the league) again excel with 18 points and 9 assists. The hosts will counter him with its own MVP candidate, [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/), who has maintained his consistency despite his team’s recent troubles and ranks just behind Maledon with an average PIR of 22.4. ASVEL also has the incentive of trying to lock down the head-to-head advantage after triumphing [98-93 in the Round 15](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/asvel-ends-paris-unbeaten-run-in-all-french-rivalry-series-thriller-98-93/) meeting between the teams, partly thanks to [Neal Sako](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/neal-sako/010545/)’s dominance of the paint, netting 14 points without a miss from the field plus 7 rebounds.

Round 24 Head-to-Head: Hifi vs. Maledon

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CET)

Injury-hit Milan (12-11) will hope to welcome back reinforcements for a testing visit from reigning champ Panathinaikos (14-9), which needs a win to maintain its position in the top four. The Greens will hope for more inside dominance from [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/) after his [breakout performance](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/wenyen-gabriel-rose-to-atamans-challenge-with-devastating-second-half/) in last week’s sensational [comeback triumph over Zalgiris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-stuns-zalgiris-with-huge-comeback-win-89-76/), pairing 15 points with 8 blocks, and Milan needs center [Freddy Gillespie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/freddie-gillespie/011941/) to add more scoring after only managing 2 points along with 10 rebounds in last week’s [heavy loss at Efes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/coach-banchi-celebrates-first-win-as-efes-thrashes-milan-110-66/). Shooting star [Neno Dimitrijevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/neno-dimitrijevic/006085/) also needs to emerge from a slump after only averaging 4.7 points over the last three games, especially with Greens’ guard [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) fully recovered from his own dip in form after [scoring 26](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/kendrick-nunns-momentum-changer-sparked-historic-comeback-for-panathinaikos/) [against Zalgiris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-stuns-zalgiris-with-huge-comeback-win-89-76/) last time out.

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

Expect maximum intensity from an all-Spanish showdown as Baskonia (9-14) looks to boost its fading playoff ambitions against an equally hungry Barcelona (13-10). The visiting team – led by former Baskonia coach Joan Penarroya – needs to bounce back from [last week’s loss at ASVEL](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/theo-maledon-leads-the-way-as-asvel-downs-barcelona-100-94/), where the Blaugrana’s occasional tendency to lapse into leaky defense again resurfaced with 100 points conceded. A key battle will take place at power forward between [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) and [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/): the Baskonia star continued his great season with a double-double of 14 points and 10 boards in last week’s heartbreaking [last-second loss at Real](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/hezonjas-three-leads-real-past-baskonia-90-89/), while Parker again demonstrated his shooting power with 18 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting in the loss at ASVEL. Barca also needs to contain [Nikos Rogkavopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikolaos-rogkavopoulos/011085/), who has two double-doubles in his last four games.

Round 24 Head-to-Head: Moneke vs. Parker

## Friday, January 31, 2025

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (18:30 CET)

Fenerbahce (15-7) will hunt a sixth straight victory with a visit from a Virtus team (7-16) whose playoff chances are looking increasingly slender. The Italian team couldn’t withstand [a late push from Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monaco-rallies-from-21-points-down-defeats-virtus-80-86/) at home last week, conceding 30 fourth-quarter points, and will need to compete for the full 40 minutes against a Fener team coming off [a strong road win at Olympiacos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-stands-strong-to-down-olympiacos-77-87/). Virtus will offer a long-range scoring threat through [Alessandro Pajola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alessandro-pajola/006739/), who has struck from long-range in 10 consecutive games. The hosts will hope that recent signing [Errick McCollom](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/) will continue to settle well into the backcourt, after offering a solid 12 points in Piraeus, while the return to fitness of [Arturs Zagars](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/arturs-zagars/008104/) has also added depth to Saras Jasikevicius’s previous threadbare guard options.

### AS Monaco vs. Real Madrid (19:00 CET)

After ending a three-game losing run by making an [impressive comeback against Virtus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monaco-rallies-from-21-points-down-defeats-virtus-80-86/) last week, Monaco (14-9) will look to protect its position in the top four with a visit from direct rival Real (13-10). An undoubted highlight will be a personal battle between two of the league’s most talented guards, with [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) and [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) both heading into the showdown in strong form. James netted 24 points – his highest total of the season – to inspire the turnaround at Virtus, while Campazzo combined 22 points with 6 assists to lead his team to a [victory over Baskonia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/hezonjas-three-leads-real-past-baskonia-90-89/) that was secured by [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/)’s dramatic [buzzer-beating game-winner](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/mario-hezonja-decided-an-instant-classic/). Real coach Chus Mateo could bolster his roster by giving debuts to new signings [Bruno Fernando](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bruno-fernando-signs-for-real-madrid-baloncesto/) and [Dennis Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-baloncesto-signs-ex-nba-guard-dennis-smith-jr/).

Round 24 Head-to-Head: Blossomgame vs. Hezonja

### Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:15 CET)

After having a seven-game winning run snapped by [last week’s home loss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-stands-strong-to-down-olympiacos-77-87/) to Fenerbahce, league leader Olympiacos (16-7) will look to start another streak with a visit from Efes (11-12). The Turkish team arrives with confidence renewed after ending its own losing run by [thrashing Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/coach-banchi-celebrates-first-win-as-efes-thrashes-milan-110-66/) and will hope that sharpshooter [Rodrigue Beaubois](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rodrigue-beaubois/006590/) can stay hot after pouring in 18 points, his best tally in 11 games. Another plus was a return to form by power forward [Rolands Smits](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rolands-smits/007109/) with his best PIR of the season (17), and this week he faces the biggest possible test with a matchup against [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/). Reds coach Georgios Bartzokas will want his team to recover its defensive toughness, after struggling to stop Fener’s rhythm last week in the absence of [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/).

Round 24 Head-to-Head: Williams-Goss vs. Larkin

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)

With both Partizan (12-11) and Zvezda (13-10) determined to boost their push for the playoffs and currently separated by just one win, the latest edition of the Belgrade derby promises to be more exciting and tense than ever. Partizan arrives in better form with three straight victories, while Zvezda has slipped down the standings with two losses out of three. Zeljko Obradovic’s men took [a 77-89 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/partizan-outshines-zvezda-77-89-in-belgrade-derby/) when the teams met in Round 11 behind 21 points from [Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/). He faces an exciting backcourt matchup with fit-again Zvezda veteran [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/), who announced his full recovery from injury with 15 points and 5 assists in [last week’s loss to Maccabi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/sharpshooting-maccabi-rolls-over-crvena-zvezda-85-73/). Partizan will look to limit Zvezda’s shooters like [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) (10.4 points per game) through its excellent perimeter defense, having allowed opponents to convert just 32.7% of three-pointers so far – second-best in the league.

Round 24 Head-to-Head: Jones vs. Bolomboy

The race for the postseason is heating up with each passing week

Paris Basketball v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2025-01-30T19:30:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2025-01-31T19:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-01-31T19:15:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Real Madrid (2025-01-31T18:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid currently has the largest differential in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague between the number of points it has scored at the rim and the number they have allowed — including free throws — defensively and is one of only a few teams building a meaningful advantage in that fashion.

Stats review: How owning the interior has led Real Madrid's recent rise

Don’t look now, but [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) has climbed into the top six for the first time this season as *Los Blancos* have made real headway in their efforts to extend their streak of consecutive Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship game appearances to four.  After a sluggish 6-9 start, the perennial power has won seven of its last eight games to build some momentum heading into the final third of the season.

While [a narrow home win over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/hezonjas-three-leads-real-past-baskonia-90-89/) was not exactly a prime example, Real has set its baseline this season in the same place it has throughout its recent multi-season run of success: at the rim.

As the table above suggests, Real currently has the largest differential in the EuroLeague between the number of points they have scored at the rim and the number they have allowed — including free throws — defensively and is one of only a few teams building a meaningful advantage in that fashion. Not only that, but even after a lackluster start in the standings, that represents the largest mark the team has posted in a season in its recent run of championship game appearances.

With a total point differential of 64 for the season but 146 at the rim — including 125 with [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) on the floor — Real’s edge inside has been its cornerstone this year, often compensating for its shortcomings elsewhere. Even in a game where Tavares dealt with some foul trouble and the team conceded 21 offensive rebounds, Real still outscored Baskonia by 5 points at the basket. There’s no discounting the way Real’s interior play raises its floor in a season where only two wins separate third and 11th place in the standings.

While the Spanish club sits in a tier by itself, [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) has been very imposing inside in its own right and [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) has built a meaningful advantage in close as well.  Partizan has shot a third-ranked 68% around the rim offensively.  Though its big men have been very effective inside, it has been the consistency of its guards that has bolstered the team's shooting and productivity around the rim.  Defensively, it has been the rotations to prevent shots at the rim entirely that have helped Partizan limit opponents’ points in the interior more than how it contests the shots that it does face in close.

The opposite is true of Efes, which leads the EuroLeague in blocks by a considerable margin. [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) spearheads those efforts to put a lid on the rim, but a variety of players contribute, including several perimeter players.  Efes's big men have been driving the team's success inside, with Poirier and [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/) combining to shoot 76% at the rim.

With nine teams checking in this season with a differential inside of plus-or-minus 2 points per game around the rim, it remains very difficult for teams to find a way to build a significant competitive advantage in the EuroLeague. That puts what Real has done in perspective and adds a degree of intrigue to what it accomplishes from here on out as the team continues to distance itself from early losses.

No team has been more effective – offensively or defensively – at the rim this season than Los Blancos

Dreamland Gran Canaria announced on Sunday that it has acquired playmaker Ziga Samar from ALBA Berlin for the remainder of the season

Gran Canaria loans Ziga Samar from ALBA Berlin

Dreamland Gran Canaria announced on Sunday that it has acquired playmaker [Ziga Samar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ziga-samar/profile/007550/) for the remainder of the season. Samar (1.97 meters, 24 years old) arrives on loan from ALBA Berlin for which he averaged 4.1 points and 2.9 assists over 14 appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season. He is 10th in the EuroLeague this season in per-minute assists with a prorated average of 8.4 over 40 minutes. Gran Canaria made the move following the news that [Carlos Alocen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-alocen-out-for-the-season/) was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

Samar returns to Spain, where he has spent most of his professional career. The tall point guard began his career with the Olimpija Ljubljana youth system in his native Slovenia and was just 16 years when he signed with Real Madrid. Samar also played professionally for Baloncesto Zambrano and Fuenlabrada, He joined ALBA in 2022 on a long-term deal and was loaned to Veolia Towers Hamburg in that first season, during which he also played in the EuroCup. Samar is also a member of the Slovenian national team.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🖊 Žiga Samar refuerza al Dreamland Gran Canaria hasta final de temporada.<br><br>▪ El base esloveno, formado en el Real Madrid, llega en calidad de cedido por el Alba Berlín hasta el término del presente curso.<br><br>➡  <a href="https://t.co/K2TKJrCmEA">https://t.co/K2TKJrCmEA</a> <a href="https://t.co/bBsIhYkj3T">pic.twitter.com/bBsIhYkj3T</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1883583491797102968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The playmaker will reinforce the Granca backcourt for the remainder of the season

We always knew that Friday’s meeting between Olympiacos BC and Fenerbahce Beko – first against second – would be something special, and it was Fenerbahce that came out on top to move within a win of first-placed Olympiacos.

Defensive discipline and ball movement helped Fenerbahce stay red hot

We always knew that Friday’s meeting between [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) and [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) – first against second – would be something special, particularly as both teams headed into the game in great form: Olympiacos on the back of seven straight wins, and Fenerbahce looking to make it five consecutive victories.

And when the scoring started with [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) draining a triple before [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) sank a mid-range strike at the other end, it looked like the stars were coming out to play for a scoring showdown.

However, that opening flurry from two of the league’s leading MVP candidates proved to be a false dawn, because this was a Rivalry Series battle played at a slow pace and dominated by defenses. And specifically, Fenerbahce’s.

The Turkish team powered its way to victory, becoming only the second visiting team to win in Piraeus this season, by smothering the Reds with a stifling blanket that held the hosts to their second-lowest points tally at home, and a scoring total more than 10 points below their season average.

Faced by Fenerbahce’s organization, discipline and hustle, the home team particularly struggled to attack the interior, making just 16 of its 38 attempts (42.1%) from inside the arc – well down on its season average of 56.3% from two-point range. Notably, the Reds converted far more free throws (30) than field goals (21), with Fenerbahce repeatedly refusing to allow the home team to find its offensive rhythm and instead forcing the Reds to the foul line.

Only two Olympiacos players could score in double digits, with [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) netting 21 points and Sasha Vezenkov 19, and even they had to make much of their contribution from the line, respectively scoring 7 and 8 free throws.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Ülkemizin ve camiamızın başı sağ olsun. <a href="https://t.co/WWjxRLJO1J">pic.twitter.com/WWjxRLJO1J</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1882866208841798051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Visiting guard [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) confirmed that was all part of the plan, explaining in his postgame interview with EuroLeague TV: “Our defense was about making them take tough shots. They missed some open ones, so we got lucky with that. It’s not an easy place to play, so it feels good to be able to come here and get a win.”

Fenerbahce also outmatched Olympiacos’s strong physicality by holding the home team to just 6 offensive boards, while grabbing 9 at the other end through six different players, and winning the overall rebounding battle 36 to 27.

And on the offensive, the Turkish team delivered consistent productivity to register solid shooting stats of 21 of 32 from two-point range (65.6%) and 11 of 32 from deep (34.4%). Coach [Saras Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/jasikevicius-saras/) was particularly pleased with the ball movement that led to 21 assists and made many of those conversions possible.

Game News

“It’s not easy to play over here,” he said. “Olympiacos doesn’t really let you play your own basketball, but I thought for some moments we were there.

“When we move the ball, when we don’t hold the ball, we are putting up good offensive numbers and creating shots. For these moments we were great. It’s not easy, they have great physicality, they’re ready defensively, so it’s a big win. We have to be proud and happy."

Proud, happy, and rising rapidly towards the top of the standings.

The Turkish team delivered a strong all-round game to down Olympiacos

Olympiacos Piraeus v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2025-01-24T19:15:00.000Z)

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Look back at all the action from Round 23 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

Top 10 photos of the week: Round 23

A stunning offensive performance in the German derby was enough for FC Bayern Munich’s Carsen Edwards to secure Round 23 MVP honors with a round-high 34 PIR.

Round 23 MVP: Carsen Edwards, FC Bayern Munich

A stunning offensive performance in the German derby was enough for FC Bayern Munich’s [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) to secure Round 23 MVP honors with a round-high 34 PIR.

 

Edwards scored a career-high 34 points in Bayern’s 84-99 win at ALBA Berlin, netting 6-of-9 two-pointers, 5-of-13 three-pointers and 7-of-8 free throws. He also posted 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 3 fouls drawn, giving him a career-best 34 PIR. This is the first time Edwards has been the MVP of the Round, while it is the second time this season a Bayern player has earned MVP of the Round honors – and 11th time all-time – following Shabazz Napier back in Round 6.

 

Real Madrid’s [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne’s [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) had the joint second-best PIR in Round 23 with 29. In Real Madrid’s dramatic 90-89 victory over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Argentine amassed 22 points, going 6 for 9 on two-pointers, 1 for 4 on threes and 7 for 7 on free throws, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 6 fouls drawn. ASVEL beat FC Barcelona 100-94, with Maledon recording 18 points on 2-of-6 two-pointers, 2-of-7 three-pointers and 8-of-8 free throws, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 9 fouls drawn. AS Monaco’s [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade’s [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) round out the list of top performers with a 28 PIR. James had 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 12 fouls drawn in Monaco’s 80-86 win at Virtus Segafredo Bologna, while Bonga finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 3 fouls drawn in Partizan’s 92-86 triumph over Paris Basketball.

 

### Individual highs: Carsen Edwards, Bayern, 34 points

 

Bayern’s Edwards scored 34 points in Round 23, the most of any player. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens’s [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) leads the league in scoring with 20.1 points per game.

 

Baskonia’s [Nikos Rogkavopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikolaos-rogkavopoulos/011085/) led all players in Round 23 by pulling down 11 rebounds. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade’s [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) has averaged a league-best 8.0 rebounds per contest this season.

 

ASVEL’s Theo Maledon and Anadolu Efes Istanbul’s [PJ Dozier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/perry-dozier-jr/012742/) both recorded a round-high 9 assists. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv’s [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) (7.41 apg.) is the leading assist provider in the league, narrowly ahead of Paris’s [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) (7.38 apg.).

 

Maccabi’s [Jaylen Hoard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaylen-hoard/006835/) made 4 steals in Round 23, more than anyone else. Bayern’s [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) tops the steals charts with 1.6 per night.

 

Three players – Panathinaikos’s [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/), Real Madrid’s [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/), and Monaco’s [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) – had a round-best 3 blocks. Papagiannis (1.35 bpg.) leads the EuroLeague in blocks, just ahead of Tavares (1.30 bpg.), Gabriel (1.27 bpg.), and Efes’s [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) (1.26 bpg.).

 

Baskonia duo Rogkavopoulos (22 points, 11 rebounds) and [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) (14 points, 10 rebounds) were the only players to record a double-double in Round 23.

The Bayern guard had a career-best scoring night in the German derby

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 23rd winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! Filip Matejevic beat everyone else in Round 23 with his team 'Nitogen BC', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 234.70.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 23 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 23rd winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Filip Matejevic beat everyone else in Round 23 with his team 'Nitogen BC', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 234.70.

Filip had the following starting lineup: Facundo Campazzo of Real Madrid as team captain, then LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne's Theo Maledon, Olympiacos Piraeus's Sasha Vezenkov, and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens duo Juancho Hernangomez and Wenyen Gabriel. His sixth man was FC Bayern Munich's Carsen Edwards. On the bench, Filip had Bayern's Niels Giffey, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's Sterling Brown, Paris Basketball's Enzo Shahrvin, and Real Madrid's Eli Ndiaye. His team's head coach was Bayern play-caller Gordie Herbert.

The prize for finishing first in Round 23 is a free VIP Euroleague TV subscription for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Filip!

Marko Dukic and his team 'Kughat' remains the leader of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/) overall standings with 3,935.84 points.

Trades are now open for Round 24.  Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season. You can either trade up to four players, or a head coach and three players.

The first game in Round 24 tips off on Thursday, January 30, as Zalgiris Kaunas 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. 

Real Madrid Baloncesto has completed the signing of Bruno Fernando, who joins the club after spending six years in the NBA.

Bruno Fernando signs for Real Madrid

[Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) has completed the signing of Bruno Fernando on a deal until the end of the 2025-26 season. He is *Los Blancos*' second addition in recent weeks, following [the arrival of Dennis Smith Jr.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-baloncesto-signs-ex-nba-guard-dennis-smith-jr/) on January 16. 

Fernando (2.06 meters, 26 years old) has spent his entire career in the NBA to date, most recently averaging 3.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game across 17 appearances this season for the Toronto Raptors.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">📸👕🏀 <br>👋 <a href="https://twitter.com/BrunoFernandoMV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrunoFernandoMV</a> <a href="https://t.co/K49WhsaEdn">pic.twitter.com/K49WhsaEdn</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1882907172503175671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Angolan big man, who posted 14.0 points, 5.3 boards and 1.5 assists in four games at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, has played for the Atlanta Hawks (2019-21), Boston Celtics (2021-22), Houston Rockets (2022-23), Atlanta Hawks (2023-24), and Toronto (2024-25) in his 226-game NBA career.

Fernando adds more depth at center for Real Madrid, which has three-time EuroLeague Best Defender [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) and 2019 NBA champion [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) among its options at the '5'.

More Real Madrid News

The six-year NBA center is coming to the EuroLeague for the first time