Playoff predictions. Real Madrid vs. Baskonia

### Real will return to dominant form

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

It has been a long month for Real Madrid since clinching first place in the EuroLeague Regular Season. Los Blancos have been waiting for this moment for a long time and even when Baskonia has beaten Real at WiZink Center lately, Coach Ivanovic and his team should expect a different animal this time. During the season, Real showed it can play better than anybody team, and now is time again for it to fully focus and make things happen. Real has a size advantage in the paint with Walter Tavares and Vincent Poirier; it has more experienced guards in Facu Campazzo, Sergio Rodriguez and Sergio Llull; and the fact that star forward Chima Moneke is injured makes things worse for Baskonia. Real is the heavy favorite and should prove it. **My prediction: Real Madrid 3-0.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Real Madrid-Baskonia: arranca el playoff de la Euroliga.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1782718560311316528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Real's depth with decide this one

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

This series will be flavored by the absence, at least for the first game or two, of the most productive player this season on either team, Baskonia forward Chima Moneke. With him trolling along the baseline and uncatchable Markus Howard sniping outside, Baskonia had the chance to push the defending champs to five games, in my opinion. Without Moneke, Real's depth and experience will be too much to overcome. Real just has too many threats for Baskonia to handle or counter-balance. With 11 players averaging between 15 and 25 minutes per game, give or take a few seconds, Real's stars will keep coming at Baskonia with fresh legs all series long, and that would be too much for almost any team to resist. I respect Baskonia's famed character enough to think they'll pull of one win, but no more. **My prediction: Real Madrid 3-1.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">READY FOR THE FIRST BATTLE! ✊🏼🏟️<br><br>21:00h 🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OurWay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OurWay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> 🔵🔴 <a href="https://t.co/seaWpCnVZC">pic.twitter.com/seaWpCnVZC</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1782746792783655123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Real Madrid has too much for Baskonia

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

As much as I am convinced that Markus Howard can become the hero for Baskonia once again, perhaps even pulling out a road win at Real Madrid in either Game 1 or Game 2, I think Los Blancos' quality will shine through. Baskonia will be without Chima Moneke for Game 1 and potentially Game 2 as well, leaving Dusko Ivanovic a player short, while Real Madrid has a stacked roster that will be determined to defend their title. Real Madrid has made it to five of the last six Final Fours and it boasts a roster full of champions, most of whom lifted the EuroLeague title last season. Baskonia actually leads its series with Real Madrid this century, going 10-8 in EuroLeague play, but it's hard for me to look past Chus Mateo's men in this one. **My pick: Real Madrid 3-1.**

### Real will defend its crown in Berlin

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

The two Spanish sides know each other oh-so-well, and have split road wins during the regular season, including Baskonia's 91-95 win in the Spanish capital less than two weeks ago. Baskonia has been (mostly) flying high since that victory, apart from getting thrashed by Maccabi in the first play-in round. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has been in search of its form from the first part of the season, and has been far from impressive in recent weeks. However, it's playoff time and I fully believe Los Blancos are not just ready, but much more rested than Baskonia, which has played five games in 10 days, including three on the road. I see the defending champs dominate in Game 1, take 2-0 advantage to Vitoria-Gasteiz, where they will eventually close out the series. **My pick: Real Madrid 3-1.**

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Real Madrid (2024-05-03T18:30:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Real Madrid (2024-05-01T18:30:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-04-25T19:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-04-23T19:00:00.000Z)

Playoff predictions: Panathinaikos vs. Maccabi

### This one will go the distance

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

Two proud, long-starved and entertaining teams full of players chomping for their Final Four opportunity – only Kostas Sloukas and Ioannis Papapetrou have made it that far before – make this as compelling a series as any. Maccabi's two victories this season over Panathinaikos, which holds home-court advantage, make it unpredictable, too. Matchup edges are hard to pinpoint and solid pros in their primes dot the landscape. This will be very much a question of who is ready to seize the moment. I expect close outcomes that could go either way, but in all likelihood, it will take five games to solve. We know that home teams are 18-0 all-time in Game 5s, so much as I like Maccabi's team and its chances, with a full OAKA, I'd have to see the first do-or-die road win in a Game 5 to believe it. **My prediction: Panathinaikos 3-2.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">☘ GAME DAY <br>🏀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaccabiTLVBC</a> <br>🏆 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> | PlayOffs - G1<br>🕔 20:30 🇬🇷 <br>📍 OAKA<br>📺 Novasports Prime<br>❕SOLD OUT<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToBerlin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToBerlin</a> <a href="https://t.co/RulX1IM7vY">pic.twitter.com/RulX1IM7vY</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1782664112691929403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### PAO to prevail over Maccabi in five

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Ergin Ataman told Panathinaikos fans months ago that they should buy tickets to Berlin for the Final Four – and I think he'll be proven right after his team's series with Maccabi. The Greens last made it to the Final Four in 2012, but it really feels like they are primed to return to European basketball's showpiece event. With Kostas Sloukas pulling the strings, Kendrick Nunn and Marius Grigonis making big shots, Jerian Grant playing lockdown defense, and Dinos Mitoglou and Mathias Lessort playing at an All-EuroLeague level, Panathinaikos certainly has what it takes. It won't be easy against the likes of Wade Baldwin, Lorenzo Brown and Josh Nebo, but I believe Panathinaikos will make the most of its home-court advantage and win the series in five. **My pick: Panathinaikos 3-2.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final preparations 💪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreMaccabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreMaccabi</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/KS7j4x7wFc">pic.twitter.com/KS7j4x7wFc</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1782734073607176403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Panathinaikos's Final Four return

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv have been away from the Final Four for a very long time, considering both teams' winning tradition. I believe Panathinaikos has an edge in this series for two reasons. First, both teams have strong starting lineups but Panathinaikos has a deeper, more experienced second unit and that should pay off in what is expected to be a very physical series. Second, Panathinaikos has a difference-maker like Kostas Sloukas, looking for his fourth EuroLeague title and to reach the Final Four with a third different team. Sloukas arrives to this game in great momentum and should make things happen. OAKA Altion will be a tough place to play, too. **My prediction: Panathinaikos 3-1.**

### It will be Maccabi returning to the Final Four

#### *By Igor Petrinovic*

Panathinaikos and Maccabi are two of the hottest teams in the competition, each holding an 8-1 record in their last nine games, and it's been more than four months, since December 7, that the Greens have lost at home. Maccabi has actually swept the regular season series against Panathinaikos, but the first game was in Round 4 when Panathinaikos was still looking for chemistry, and in the second game the Greek side was without Kostas Sloukas and Luca Vildoza, while Kendrick Nunn was benched by Coach Ataman midway through the third quarter. Nunn has shined ever since, and Sloukas has been a true leader for Panathinaikos. But Maccabi has some major weapons in Wade Baldwin, Lorenzo Brown and Josh Nebo, and has learned many lessons in last year's playoffs. Also, I think those two regular season wins are an indication that Maccabi just might have the Greens' number. Call it an upset! **My pick: Maccabi 3-1.**

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-05-02T18:45:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-04-30T17:00:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-04-25T18:15:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-04-23T17:30:00.000Z)

As announced by the club on Tuesday afternoon, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul big man Johnathan Motley will be travelling with the team to Monaco injured for the first two games of the best-of-five playoff series against Monaco starting on Wednesday.

Motley will be a game-time decision for Fenerbahce

As announced by the club on Tuesday afternoon, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul big man [Johnathan Motle](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/)y will be traveling with the team to Monaco despite a leg injury for the first two games of the best-of-five playoff series against Monaco starting on Wednesday.

Motley suffered the injury prior to the start of the series and he will be a game-time decision. Motley is one of the key pieces for Fenerbahce as this season he averages 11.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

Johnathan Motley of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul had season-highs of 25 points and 31 PIR in Round 10 against Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Virtus beat Fenerbahce 87-79.

Motley had season-high game against Virtus

AS Monaco v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-04-26T17:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-04-24T17:00:00.000Z)

Players on all eight playoff teams have dominated in certain statistical categories and hope to continue doing so in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

The playoff players' strengths, by the numbers

### Sizzling shooters

The playoffs will have an abundance of game-changing marksmen from long range. Of course, it all starts with [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/), the league-leading scorer (19.5 ppg.) who shattered the EuroLeague single-season record by sinking [137 three-point shots](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=FieldGoalsMade3&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=) this season, a league-leading 3.8 per game on 40.2% accuracy.

Of the 14 players averaging 2.0 triples made this season, Baskonia is the sole playoff team with two. [Vanja Marinkovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vanja-marinkovic/004761/) (2.1) and Howard have downed more three-pointers than twos this season, as have three other playoff participants. Fenerbahce's [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) (3.0) became just the third EuroLeague player ever to make triple digit three-pointers (102), after Howard's 137 and Alexey Shved's 107 in the 2017-18 season. [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) (2.5) of Olympiacos and [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) (2.5) of Barcelona have made 84 and 69 triples, respectively.

Though neither plays shooting guard and both score more two-pointers, Monaco's [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) (2.3) enters the playoffs with 79 made threes while [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) (2.2) is Real Madrid's leader with 72, ranking seventh and ninth, respectively, in total shots made from the arc. Hezonja enters the playoffs hotter than any other long-distance sniper, having shot 17-for-26, or 65.4%, over the last four regular-season rounds.

Meanwhile, Panathinaikos guard [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), after some three-point woes earlier in the season, has made multiple three-point shots in eight straight games, making 23 triples on 51.1% over that span.

If a playoff game comes down to the final shot, expect the aforementioned specialists to have the ball in their hands.

### Inside scorers

Nunn's improved three-point shooting comes in addition to his ability to finish closer to the basket. Whether driving to the hoop or rising for mid-range jumpers, Nunn takes [a larger share of his team's two-pointers (23.7%)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=scoring&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=fieldGoalsAttempted2Share) than any other Euroleague player. To make things even more interesting, his Panathinaikos teammate, center [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) (21.6%), ranks second on that list.

It is quite unique to have teammates rank first and second in this two-point share, especially one being a guard and the other a center. Of all two-point shots taken by Panathinaikos this season, nearly half have come from Lessort and Nunn.

Kendrick Nunn has the largest share of his team's two-point shot attempts than any other player this season (23.7%), and is his Panathinaikos teammate, center Mathias Lessort (21.6%), is second on that list.

Nunn and Lessort do the scoring work inside

Lessort [converted 24.7% of his team's attempts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=scoring&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=fieldGoalsMade2Share) inside the arc, the league's highest share this season. Just six players reached 20.0% in that category, including fellow playoff participants Fenerbahce center [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) (23.2%), ranked second, and Barcelona center [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) (22.7%), fourth. Expect these three teams to keep depending on their big man inside for high-percentage two-pointers.

### Playmaking trios

There are 13 players who have averaged [more than 4.5 assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=Assistances&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=perGame&phase=) per game this season, and three of them wear a Maccabi uniform. [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) is the team leader, and third in the league, in that department with 6.1 per game. He is followed by [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), who ranks 11th averaging 4.9 assists, and [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) who has been dishing 4.7 per contest, ranking 13th. Their combined average of 15.7 assists was better than what two entire teams – Zalgiris Kaunas and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade – have averaged.

Barcelona has three players posting 4.0 assists or better. Nicolas Laprovittola ranks ninth with 5.0 per game, leading the team, while Tomas Satoransky posts 4.1 per game. Meanwhile, Ricky Rubio averages 4.0 assists, albeit in only eight appearances.

Barcelona's playmaking trio

Another playoff team not lacking playmaking options is Barcelona, which has three players posting 4.0 assists or better. Laprovittola ranks ninth with 5.0 per game, leading the team while [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) posts 4.1 per game. Meanwhile, [Ricky Rubio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ricky-rubio/lfw/) averages 4.0 assists, albeit in only eight appearances. The only other playoff team with multiple players averaging more than 4.0 assist is Real Madrid, which has [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (6.5) and the three-time EuroLeague champ [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) (4.1).

### The Reds' silent threats

Olympiacos enters the playoffs with the league best defense, allowing a league-low 75.0 points to its opponents, but is the only playoff team scoring fewer than 80 points (79.0) per game. Nonetheless, the Reds have a very offensively efficient front line.

For instance, [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) ranks second [in true shooting percentage (74.6%)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=advanced&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=trueShootingPercentage), and [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) is seventh (70.1%). [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/), who has come back from a foot injury after having missed 13 games, is 20th with 67.9%, but [ranks first in offensive rebounding percentage (17.8%)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=advanced&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=offensiveReboundPercentage), the same category in which [Luke Sikma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luke-sikma/006589/) (15.0%) is fourth.

None of those players rank in the top 10 in rebounds, but three of them Milutinov (5.6 rpg.), Peters (4.8) and Fall (4.6.) make the Reds only one of two teams with a trio of players accumulating that many rebounds. The other is Real Madrid, which leads the league with 36.8 boards per game, with [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) (6.3), [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) (5.4) and [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/) (5.0) leading the way. It is unusual that 15th-ranked Olympiacos (32.3 rpg.) would have three such rebounders, however.

### Monaco's major ball hawks

Monaco enters the playoffs tied with Panathinaikos for the most forced turnovers, 13.53 per game, and ranks fourth among playoff teams in steals (7.0). James leads Roca Team with 41 steals, which speaks volumes of how valuable he is to Monaco on both ends of the floor. James [ranks eighth](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=Steals&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=) among all EuroLeague players in steals, while two other Monaco players – [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) and [John Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-brown/010588/) – each have 39 steals. Their combined 119 total steals are the most by any three teammates this season and amount to just over 50.0% of team's total of 236.

A combined number of 119 steals from Mike James, John Brown and Alpha Diallo is the most by any three teammates this season, which amount for just over 50.0% of team's total of 236 steals this campaign.

Monaco's ball hawks

Interestingly, Monaco's playoff opponent Fenerbahce has several ball hawks, too. Fenerbahce claimed just 196 this season, 5.8 per game, [second-fewest in the regular season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-teams/?size=1000&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=Steals&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=RS) in front only Baskonia (5.5). But Fenerbahce is alone with four players collecting 27 or more steals. Wilbekin (36), [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) (31), [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) (30) and [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) (27) combined for 124 steals, 63.2% of the team's total.

FC Barcelona v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-04-26T19:00:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-04-24T19:00:00.000Z)

With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs beginning this week, there is no shortage of trends to keep an eye on.

Stats review: Trends to follow in the playoffs

### Real Madrid vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Defensive Identity. Real Madrid held Baskonia to 77 points in Round 1, bullying it to earn a road win in a game where it struggled to get much going offensively themselves. After allowing a dominant 0.88 points per possession over the first half of the season, Real has conceded 1.00 points per possession over the second half of the year. After looking like this season’s top defense by a wide margin for several months, Real performed at a league-average level for several more to close the year. This team is going to be very formidable regardless, but its efforts in transition and closing out shooters could be key to its ability to return to the form that made Los Blancos the very obvious favorite early on.

How hot is Howard? It is no secret that [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) is a flamethrower; every team in the EuroLeague knows that. That has not stopped him from scoring in bunches on many nights this season including the 35-point effort that saw him go 7-for-12 from beyond the arc to beat Real at the WiZink Center only a few weeks ago. On his best nights, he takes and makes tough shots on the move and off the dribble through tight windows from well beyond the three-point line. Shooting 43% from beyond the arc in wins and 34% in losses, that tends to be the X-factor for Baskonia as he’s nearly unguardable at times when he gets hot.

Panathinaikos was one of the most productive pick-and-roll offenses in the EuroLeague this season, even showed it in a home loss against Maccabi in Round 4.

The Greens' pick and roll offense vs. Maccabi

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Pace and possession. While Maccabi is the lower seed in this series, it defeated Panathinaikos twice during the regular season. Maccabi's ability to control the tempo of the game was significant in both victories, unsurprising considering it finished the regular season ranked first in the EuroLeague in pace and third in offensive rebounding rate. Panathinaikos more than held its own on the glass, but Maccabi outscored the Greens 33 to 17 in transition across their pair of wins. How well the two-seed shoots the three and takes care of the ball will likely play a key role in whether Maccabi can control the tempo of the game.

Scoring-passing balance. Panathinaikos was one of the most productive pick-and-roll offenses in the EuroLeague this season. [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/), [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/) and [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/) all found some success looking to score off the dribble, but one of the strengths of this offense was the stellar 41% shooting from beyond the arc that resulted from their passes out of pick-and-rolls. Maccabi did a very good job limiting their ball handlers in their regular season matchups, making them give up the ball, but benefited from more bounces on the open looks they subsequently allowed than they can reasonably expect to throughout a five-game series.

### AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Shot-making. No teams in the EuroLeague attempted more pull-up jump shots this season than AS Monaco. It scored 25 points with dribble jumpers in its win over Fenerbahce, but only 15 in its loss as they split their regular season series. Despite finishing last in spot-up scoring efficiency this season, this offense has been able to lean on [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/)’s ability to pick opposing defenses apart off the dribble and how Fenerbahce reckons with that will likely set the tone for this series.

Home sweet home. Fenerbahce surged offensively over the second half of the regular season, ultimately rising to lead the EuroLeague in overall offensive efficiency heading into the postseason. Its success on that end of the floor is firmly rooted in its performance at home. Averaging an absolutely devastating 1.19 points per possession in Istanbul and a slightly below-average 0.98 points per possession on the road where it won fewer games than any other quarterfinalist, Fenerbahce’s ability to find a rhythm and steal a game on the road could make this series very interesting.

In the two wins over its playoff adversary during the regular season, Barca shot the ball as well as it did against any other team, moving the ball at a very high level, playing through the post.

Barca shot the ball well vs. Olympiacos

### FC Barcelona vs. Oiympiacos Piraeus

Inside-out. Barcelona has not matched up with Olympiacos since January, but in the two wins over its playoff adversary during the regular season, Barca shot the ball as well as it did against any other team. Making 50% of its catch-and-shoot threes, Barcelona moved the ball at a very high level, playing through the post and how Olympiacos deals with the passing ability of the Barca big men is something to monitor early on.

Seeking balance. Olympiacos has some things to address defensively against Barcelona, but found some positive things to take away from their regular season encounters on the offensive end. [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) and [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/) found quite a bit of success creating out of pick-and-rolls, but Barcelona’s shooting stifled Olympiacos’s ability to get out in the open floor and create quality looks out of the secondary break.

Since the modern playoffs system was established in 2005, the top Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players and teams have amassed some amazing numbers. Check out the single-game, single-season and all-time playoff records below in 13 different statistical categories.

EuroLeague Playoff records: Points 

**SEE ALSO**: [PIR ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-pir)| [PTS](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-points) | [2FG](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-two-pointers-made) | [3FG](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-three-pointers-made) | [FT](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-free-throws-made) | [2FG%](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-two-point) | 
[3FG%](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-three-point) | [FT%](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-free-throw) | [TR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-rebounds) | [OR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-offensive-rebounds) | [AS](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-assists) | [ST](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-steals) | [BL](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-playoff-records-blocks)

TOTAL POINTS: Vassilis Spanoulis 

SCORING AVERAGE: Sergio Llull

POINTS PER 40 MINUTES: Sergio Rodriguez

POINTS, ALL-TIME, PLAYERS

MOST TOTAL POINTS: FC Barcelona 

HIGHEST SCORING AVERAGE: CSKA Moscow 

POINTS PER 40 MINUTES: CSKA Moscow 

POINTS, ALL-TIME, TEAMS

EuroLeague Playoff records: Points

They may know each other exceedingly well, but this is the first time Real Madrid and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz face off in the EuroLeague Playoffs.

 5 key questions: Real Madrid vs. Baskonia 

### What poison does Baskonia's defense pick?

One reason that Real ruled from the get-go this season is the team's incredible combination of talent, size and experience. It's a pick-your-poison proposition for Baskonia, and the choices are many. Six Real players average PIRs of 13.6 PIR or higher per game; double the number of any other team. Those six – [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) (29.3 PIR per 40 minutes), [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) (28.1), [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) (25.8), [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (25.5), [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/) (24.8) and [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) (24.3) – all rank in [the top 26 PIRs this season on a per-minute basis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=200&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perMinute&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=valuation); only Olympiacos, with three such players, comes close. Notice, that sextet is perfectly balanced around the court, with the reinforced center position ensuring that one top-15 player in per-minute performance is patrolling the paint at all times. They are an ever-changing combination of shooters, dunkers, floor-runners, bruisers, above-the-rim crashers, mid-range smoothies and specialists at drawing fouls. Now, who do you try to stop? Better not to ask. Baskonia will be playing Whac-A-Mole without a moment's relaxation as long as this series lasts.

Real Madrid's big six vs. Baskonia this season

### Will Real protect its home floor?

By seeding alone, this series is held up to be the most lopsided of the playoffs. Real finished the regular season with the most win (27) and the widest first-place margin of victories (4) under the eight-year-old round-robin format. Baskonia eked into eighth place. As such, Real has the all-important home-court advantage. Nonetheless, Real's three home losses this season came in the last eight games against three playoff teams, including the final one against Baskonia – which, admittedly, had much more to play for that night. But Real also trailed already-eliminated Crvena Zvezda 89-93 at home with 2 minutes left before finishing with a 12-1 run. Otherwise, it would have gone 0-for-4 at home since February 1. And remember that [Real coughed up its first two home games in the last season's playoff against Partizan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/?round=39&season=E2022). Baskonia will not forget any of that, of course. What's more, the challengers come with a shootout mentality and nothing to lose while Real is under pressure to win its first back-to-back titles since the 1960s. Need we repeat that [no regular-season winner has lifted the EuroLeague trophy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-aims-to-break-the-top-seed-curse/) under the new format? Danger has lurked somewhere for all recent defending champs.

### Can Markus Howard blow it up again?

With a defense anchored by the EuroLeague's top two shot-blockers, Vincent Poirier (1.5 bpg.) and Walter Tavares (1.4), Real's defenders can risk sticking closer to opposing perimeter shooters, knowing if they get faked and beaten on the dribble, help is behind them. That's one reason that [Real leads the league in both two-point (50.7%) and three-point (33.3%) defense](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/310/#comparison). One player who upended that dynamic is scoring sensation [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/), who drilled 7 three-pointers among 35 points, tied for the second-most ever on Real's floor, as Baskonia won 91-94 at WiZink Center in Round 33. Howard will get a lot of Real's defensive attention, but he's used to that. Baskonia's ability to parlay all the attention on Howard into clean shots for his teammates will be essential to its chances of springing an upset, even if he doesn't score in bunches. Still, Howard's unique ability to strike from any distance will give Baskonia a puncher's chance in any game, as he can single-handedly erase deficits or supply sudden leads in what seems like a heartbeat.

Markus Howard's 35-point night at Real Madrid on April 5.n

Markus Howard's 35-point night at Real Madrid on April 5.

### How much does experience weigh?

We're about to find out. Real's roster has all the playoff pedigree possible, it seems. All told, its players combine for 193 games worth of EuroLeague Playoff experience. They are led by [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/), the EuroLeague record-holder with 46 playoff appearances, [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rudy-fernandez/bmt/) (39) and [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) (37). If "El Chacho" appears in three games of this series, all three will rank in the top five all-time. Meanwhile, for Baskonia, [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) played three games last season with AS Monaco, but he is injured and may not appear in this series. That leaves only [Dani Diez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-diez/003198/) whose four-game EuroLeague Playoffs experience dates to 2014 – when he was with Real. On the bright side for Baskonia, Coach Ivanovic has passed this way before 37 times and won 19 of those playoff games, while Real's Chus Mateo is 3-2 from last season, which is not to discount his many years as an assistant on the bench of the defending champs. We know that in a tight series, game-to-game adjustments matter, and Mateo aced that task after Real fell behind 0-2 to Partizan last season, never to lose another game. How much Ivanovic can transfer his experience in the cauldron of the playoffs to his players who have always wanted to be on this stage will be telling.

### Can Baskonia steal one in the capital?

That's the bottom line in any five-game playoff. An in-country series means less travel and more familiarity with the opponents, their arena and their fans. This may be their first EuroLeague Playoffs series, but Real and Baskonia are long-time Spanish League postseason rivals, steeped in each other's stories. Neither is intimidated playing on the other's floor. That has been especially true of Baskonia, which not only leads its head-to-head with Real in EuroLeague games this century by 8-10 – all of them since 2016 – but has come home victorious from three of its last four trips to WiZink Center. If there's one head coach who relishes starting a series like this on the road, it's Ivanovic, who holds a 7-6 record vs. Real in EuroLeague games. That includes a 3-0 sweep in his only EuroLeague Playoff series against Real, back in 2006 when he coached FC Barcelona. Baskonia will be undermanned to start the series with Moneke sidelined, but these underdogs will never feel like they cannot beat the odds. Real will have to prove its supremacy to this Baskonia team every step of the way.

5 key questions: Real Madrid vs. Baskonia

Real Madrid v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-05-07T22:00:00.000Z)

Barça Basket has made it to the last three EuroLeague Final Fours, compared to the last two for Olympiacos BC, but this time only one of them will punch their ticket to Berlin. So what are the main questions ahead of the series?

5 key questions: Barcelona vs. Olympiacos

FC Barcelona has made it to the last three Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Fours, compared to the last two for Olympiacos Piraeus, but this time only one of them will punch their ticket to Berlin. So what are the main questions ahead of the series?

#### Will home-court advantage be decisive?

Barca has been really solid at home this season, losing just twice in 17 regular-season games. If you look back in playoff history since best-of-five series were introduced in 2009, however, the *Blaugrana* have lost at least one playoff game at Palau Blaugrana against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2009), Real Madrid (2010), Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2011 and 2013), Olympiacos (2015), Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar (2016), Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2019), Zenit St Petersburg (2021) and FC Bayern Munich (2022). It lost the home-court advantage seven times, and was unable to finish the job at home twice. Since 2009, Olympiacos has won playoff road games against Real (2009), Asseco Prokom Gydnia (2010), Montepaschi Siena (2012), Barca (2015), Efes (2017), AS Monaco (2022) and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023). Will Barca make its home-court advantage count or will it come unstuck against a team that specializes in winning on the road?

With the series equal after Fenerbahçe's impressive road win in Piraeus, the Turkish titans aim to utilise home-court advantage against an Olympiacos team bidding to bounce back and unleash the supreme talents of the season's leading scorer, Sasha Vezenkov.

Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul vs Olympiacos Piraeus - Playoffs Game 3 - Highlights

#### Can Barca stay red-hot from downtown?

Barca beat Olympiacos in both of their meetings this season. Sharing the ball well and finding good options for its three-point shooters allowed Barca to get those wins, which eventually led to the home-court advantage in this series. In those two games, Barca combined for 26-of-51 three-pointers (51.0% 3FG), forcing Olympiacos to hit just 15-of-47 shots from beyond the arc (31.9%). This season, Roger Grimau's squad ranks 15th in three-point shooting in road games (34.3% 3FG) but hit 15-of-26 attempts (57.7% 3FG) at Peace and Friendship Stadium. [Alex Abrines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alex-abrines/003478/) (45.2% 3FG), [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) (42.7%), [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) (40.4%) and [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/) (36.9%) are Barca's best three-point shooters this season, and they all did even better against the Reds (Abrines 71.4% 3FG, Laprovittola 60.0%, Parker 57.1%, Kalinic 55.6%). Will Olympiacos improve its three-point defense against Barca in the most crucial part of the season?

FC Barcelona players has combined for 26 three-pointers in two games against Olympiacos Piraeus in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Barcelona's three-pointers against Olympiacos

#### Can Canaan and Peters keep impressing?

Olympiacos started the season with some big shoes to fill and instead of looking for star players in the market, head coach Georgios Bartzokas opted to give bigger roles to a couple of players who had more limited playing time in the 2022-23 season. It has paid off really well, as [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) and [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) are posting career-best numbers. Canaan averaged 6.3 points on 38.2% three-point shooting and a PIR of 3.4 last season. In the 2023-24 campaign, Canaan has boosted those numbers to 12.0 points on 44.7% three-pointers and a PIR of 9.4. Peters had a smaller role off the bench last season, averaging 4.6 points on 41.1% three-pointers, 2.5 rebounds and a PIR of 4.5. This season, Peters is averaging 13.4 points on a league-leading 51.3% from downtown, 4.8 rebounds and a PIR of 14.7, while he's also started in all 33 games he took part in. Can they take those bigger numbers into high-pressure playoff games?

Alec Peters and Isaiah Canaan are seeing more playing time and posting better numbers in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Peters, Canaan with improved roles

#### Who will be the X-factor in this series?

As always, some players will raise their level in the playoffs and help their team get to the Final Four. Last season, Barca got an extra contribution from [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/), who averaged 5.0 points, 2.5 assists and a PIR of 6.3 in regular-season action but increased his numbers to 10.7 points, 3.3 assists and a PIR of 14.7 in his team's series against Zalgiris Kaunas. Last season, Olympiacos eliminated Fenerbahce in a five-game series. The Reds relied on [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) to make the difference in the paint, averaging 8.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 blocks and a PIR of 16.6, which were all greater than his regular-season numbers (7.2 ppg., 4.6 rpg., 2.0 apg., 0.8 bpg., 11.7 PIR). Of course, Barca's main candidate to be an X-factor is [Ricky Rubio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rubio-ricky/lfw/), who joined the team late and is ready to prove his value. The same can be said about [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) and [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/), who can add something different to the Reds' mix in a fascinating-looking series.

Ricky Rubio could be FC Barcelona's X-factor in the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoffs.

Rubio: only getting better and better

#### Which team will protect the paint better?

They say basketball is a game of small details, but that's even truer in the playoffs. This one is very simple: both teams have really effective centers, and the team that gets its big men involved and scoring should have an edge in this series. Barca center [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) leads the 2023-24 EuroLeague in two-pointers made per 40 minutes (10.0) followed by teammate [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) (9.4). That means one of them scores inside the arc once every 2 minutes and 37 seconds, combining for 301-of-486 attempts (61.9% 2FG). On the other side of the court, Fall is the most effective two-point shooter this season (79.7% 2FG), [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) leads the EuroLeague in offensive rebounds per 40 minutes (5.5) and in just 11 games, Moses Wright averages 9.3 points on 73.1% two-pointers and a PIR of 11.1 in less than 16 minutes on the floor. Who will find the best options for their highly efficient centers?

Nikola Milutinov, Moustapha Fall and Moses Wright have allowed Olympiacos Piraeus to return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoffs by being really reliable in the paint.

Olympiacos centers' great effectiveness

The two historic clubs will go to battle in the EuroLeague Playoffs in the 4-5 matchup

AS Monaco and Fenerbahçe Beko face off in the 3-6 matchup in the EuroLeague Playoffs, with Game 1 taking place on Wednesday night.

5 key questions: AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul

One series that is likely to get a lot of attention is [AS Monaco’s matchup against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/312/) in the 3-6 matchup, with the two teams set to face off in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs for the first-ever time. Third-placed Monaco is in the postseason for the third year in its history, having only made its EuroLeague debut in the 2021-22 campaign, while this is sixth-placed Fenerbahce’s 10th trip to the playoffs. There are star matchups all over the court, but which five questions should be on people’s minds heading into this series?

#### Will Mike James wrap up the MVP?

The frontrunner to become the 2023-24 EuroLeague MVP is Monaco’s [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), who will all but certainly be handed the award with a strong showing against Fenerbahce and another trip to the Final Four. However, it won’t be easy. The playoffs are where a player can either confirm the voters that he is worthy of such an award, or it could open the door for a late surge by someone else. James will be certain to avoid any doubts by showing up against Fenerbahce, as he did during both regular-season games, recording 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in an 86-74 road loss before amassing 23 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals in a 76-69 win at home. Expect James to be front and center in this series.

The best plays of AS Monaco star Mike James in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Mike James's top plays in 2023-24

#### Can Fenerbahce address its slide?

Fenerbahce had been a team transformed since Saras Jasikevicius’s appointment as head coach ahead of Round 14, going 12-4 through his first 16 games to put the Turkish club in a great position to make the EuroLeague Playoffs. However, a 1-3 end to the regular season has put a dampener on things for Fenerbahce, which dropped to sixth position and fell out of contention for home-court advantage. The good news is that it has a stacked roster capable of beating any team in the EuroLeague – it beat all the playoff teams at least once during the regular season – so that should fill Jasikevicius’s men with confidence ahead of their showdown with Monaco.

Monaco search for a fourth consecutive win and are equipped with the clockwork consistency of Mike James, Round 24's MVP after powering his team over Partizan. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce enhanced its fragile road form with an impressive evening at ASVEL and have center Johnathan Motley thriving.

AS Monaco-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Round 25 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

#### How important will seeding be?

Curiously, Fenerbahce has only advanced once from five attempts when it has been the lower seed in a playoff series, doing so in 2016-17 when it swept Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens. The last two times it has been the lower seed, it was swept by CSKA Moscow (2020-21) and then lost in a five-game series to Olympiacos Piraeus (2022-23). Monaco, meanwhile, lost in Game 5 on the road at Olympiacos as the lower seed in 2021-22 but then beat Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on its home floor in Game 5 as the higher seed in the 4-5 matchup. Monaco is once again the higher seed this time around, so will that make the difference?

#### Will playoff experience prove to be key?

Fenerbahce enters the playoffs with a roster that is the second-most experienced in terms of playoff games played, with 143 combined playoff appearances among the squad. For Monaco, that number is 79, making it the sixth-most experienced team in the EuroLeague Playoffs. Then, in terms of average age, Monaco has the oldest average age at 29.8, compared to 27.9 for Fenerbahce, the fourth highest. While the majority of this Monaco side were part of the team that made it to last year’s Final Four, something Fenerbahce hasn’t achieved since 2018-19, it is advantage Fenerbahce when it comes to playing postseason basketball in the EuroLeague.

Fenerbahce continue to rely on the leadership of Nigel Hayes-Davis, as he remains the only player to have started every game of the campaign. Next for them are Monaco, who has won three of their last four, including a hard-fought road triumph at Zalgiris where Mike James again asserted his importance.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul-AS Monaco | Round 14 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

#### Which coach will make the difference?

Coach Obradovic and Coach Jasikevicius have faced off seven times as head coaches in the past, with the Lithuanian tactician enjoying a 5-2 record against his Serbian counterpart. In fact, Jasikevicius also has the advantage when it comes to postseason basketball, having gone 16-13 to date in the playoffs and Final Four. Obradovic, meanwhile, is 6-6, all of which have come with Monaco. In addition to the battles on the floor, seeing the two coaches trying to outwit one another should also make for fascinating viewing. Which players should be in the closing group? How will they react to a defeat? These are questions that Obradovic and Jasikevicius will be dealing with, and the coach who handles things the best is likely to be the one who ends up celebrating a spot in the Final Four.

The 3-6 matchup gets underway on Wednesday night

Playoff predictions. Real Madrid vs. Baskonia

Playoff predictions: Panathinaikos vs. Maccabi

Motley will be a game-time decision for Fenerbahce

The playoff players' strengths, by the numbers

Stats review: Trends to follow in the playoffs

EuroLeague Playoff records: Points

5 key questions: Real Madrid vs. Baskonia

5 key questions: Barcelona vs. Olympiacos

5 key questions: Monaco vs. Fenerbahce