Here are some questions ahead of Panathinaikos BC vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv BC, which could tell us how this series will end up.  

5 key questions: Panathinaikos vs. Maccabi

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv are historic rivals who have met in past championship games and in dramatic playoff series. After a quiet stretch, the rivalry will be rekindled as [they square off with both teams eager to end a Final Four drought with a ticket to Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/313/). Here are some questions whose answers could tell us how this series will end up.  

#### Which Lorenzo Brown will we see?

What a week it’s been for [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/). After a rough patch, he went off on Tuesday in setting Maccabi postseason records for points scored and three-pointers made in defeating Baskonia Vitoria-Gastiez in the Play-In Showdown. Then he returned to Tel Aviv and was with his fiancé as she gave birth to their son. Will the Lorenzo Brown who faces Panathinaikos be the All-EuroLeague First team star of last season? After the Baskonia game, Brown spoke about feeling pain-free for the first time in a while. If he has his full range of mobility back after the injuries that slowed him down earlier, he makes all those around him better. There is no brilliant analysis to be had about this matter. If Brown is at his best physically, he and Maccabi are more dangerous.

#### Will the Nunn-Baldwin matchup provide fireworks? 

Many journalists around Europe were secretly rooting for this matchup. Aside from the fact that these are two of the most dynamic scorers in the competition, their words have been pitted against one another over the past month. It started with [Nunn telling reporters he thought he was the best offensive player in the EuroLeague](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1648893/kendrick-nunn-panathinaikos-euroleague-barcelona-round-31/). [Baldwin telling the official EuroLeague website that the numbers say otherwise](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1653985/wade-baldwin-iv-kendrick-nunn-maccabi-tel-aviv-panathinaikos-euroleague/). And Nunn firing back about Baldwin’s NBA stats. Bottom line: they lead their respective teams in scoring with Baldwin’s 18.0 points per game ranking third in the league and Nunn’s 15.4 placing him eighth. And it should be an exciting matchup to follow. 

The top plays of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv's Wade Baldwin and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens's Kendrick Nunn in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Baldwin vs. Nunn: Their best plays this season

#### Is the Lessort-Nebo matchup the one we should be watching?

While the Nunn-Baldwin matchup may provide more headlines, is the battle in the paint between the Greens’ [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) and his Maccabi counterpart [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) the one we should be watching? These two are the poster boys for modern, athletic bigs. They have similar numbers with Nebo standing out as the better rebounder (7.3 rpg. to 6.0) and Lessort as the better scorer (13.6 ppg. to 10.9). Nebo outperformed Lessort in their two meetings this season, averaging 13 points and 10 boards to Lessort’s 8 points and 5 rebounds per game. Can Nebo continue his strong production against Panathinaikos and Lessort in this series? The answer to that question may be critical to the series outcome. 

Keep an eye on the Lessort-Nebo matchup

#### How important is controlling the pace?

It could be very important. These teams play at much different paces. Maccabi leads the league by a wide margin at 73.7 possessions on average over 40 minutes. The difference between it and second-placed ALBA Berlin is 1.6. Panathinaikos is way back in 13th place at 69.6. Panathinaikos is the second-most efficient team in the league, outscoring its opponents by 6.4 points per 100 possessions. Maccabi is seventh at 2.4. While those numbers tell a story of how the teams have played over the course of the season, what they do not share is how each team will function at the other’s preferred pace. If Maccabi pushes the pace, will Panathinaikos and its shorter rotation be as efficient? If Panathinaikos grinds the game to a halt, can Maccabi score? It may very well be that the team which controls the pace has a massive advantage.

#### What role will experience play?

There is no shortage of experience on these two teams’ rosters. On the one hand, the case for Panathinaikos is easy. Head coach Ergin Ataman is a two-time champ, point guard [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) has three rings with two different teams and [Ioannis Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ioannis-papapetrou/005161/) has played in the championship game twice. Meanwhile, the only members of the Maccabi delegation to have Final Four playing experience are head coach Oded Kattash and assistant coach Guy Pnini. On the other hand, Kattash guided eight of his current charges into a grueling five-game playoff loss to AS Monaco last season. The Greens’ squad has little shared playoff history. How much will Maccabi’s shared experience help it? What impact will Ataman and Sloukas have on the Panathinaikos players stepping into the playoff waters for the first time? We will know the answers to all these questions soon enough!

In an exclusive interview, Panathinaikos guard Kostas Sloukas talks about his summer move from archrival Olympiacos and his quest to add to his three EuroLeague titles.

Kostas Sloukas, Panathinaikos: 'People say I look good in green'

Tuesday night will see the 2-7 playoff matchup begin in Athens

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)

After finishing the regular season with nine consecutive home wins, Panathinaikos BC will look to stay strong in Athens with a visit on Tuesday from dangerous Maccabi Tel Aviv BC, which cruised through its play-in test by crushing Baskonia 113-85.

Preview: Panathinaikos BC vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv BC

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/313/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-game-facts-pan-tel/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-game-notes-pan-tel/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-prequotes-pan-tel/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-37/)

Maccabi is one of only three visiting teams to win in Athens this season, triumphing 81-86 after overtime in October behind 21 points from [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/), who faces a great matchup with [Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/).

In the paint, two of the league's best big men will battle for supremacy. [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) averages 13.6 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Greens, while [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) leads the league with 7.3 rebounds per game and has posted double-digit PIRs in 13 consecutive games.

[Panathinaikos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/statistics/pan/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Kendrick Nunn vs. Wade Baldwin: Two of the best scorers in the EuroLeague will go head to head as they look to lead their teams to a Game 1 victory.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv ground out a hard-fought overtime road win over Panathinaikos Athens, 81-86, at OAKA on Friday night. 

Panathinaikos Athens-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 4 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The Greens are in great form with eight wins out of the last nine and appear well on course to conclude the regular season in the top-six. They journey to a stuttering Maccabi outfit seeking defensive improvement after losing three of their previous four, having shipped 88 points in each of those defeats.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | Round 23 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

After finishing the regular season with nine consecutive home wins, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens will look to stay strong in the Greek capital with a visit on Tuesday from dangerous Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, which cruised through its play-in test by crushing Baskonia 113-85.

Panathinaikos, Maccabi get the EuroLeague Playoffs started in style!

Reigning champ and regular season standings leader Real Madrid will aim to strike first at home on Tuesday against Baskonia, which qualified for the playoffs by surging past Virtus Bologna in Friday's play-in decider.

Preview: Real Madrid vs. Baskonia

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/310/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-game-facts-mad-bas/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-game-notes-mad-bas/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-prequotes-mad-bas/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-37/)

The visiting team will take confidence from a thrilling 91-95 victory at the WiZink Center in the penultimate round of the regular season. [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) was the chief architect of that victory with 35 points, and he will clearly be a focus for the home team's defense after also netting 28 in the win over Virtus.

Real will look to dominate physically through its fearsome big man duo of [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/), who rank first and second, respectively, in blocks with 1.5 and 1.4 per game. Baskonia will desperately hope that [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) will recover from injury soon to play at 100%, while [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-costello/010444/) has fond memories of Madrid after scoring 19 crucial points in the Round 33 victory.

[Madrid Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Baskonia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/statistics/bas/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Facundo Campazzo vs. Codi Miller-McIntyre: Which of these two elite playmakers will end up having the biggest impact in Game 1?

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz-Real Madrid | Round 1 | Highlights

Los Blancos has already set a record for the most regular season victories and they aim for a fifth after Dzanan Musa inspired a triumph versus Zvezda, whereas Baskonia have stumbled via three straight losses and bid to avenge an opening night loss to Real after Markus Howard missed on the buzzer.

Real Madrid-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 33 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Reigning champ and regular season standings leader Real Madrid will aim to strike first at home on Tuesday against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, which qualified for the playoffs by surging past Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Friday's play-in decider.

Reigning champ Real Madrid takes on plucky Baskonia in Game 1

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

The Fenerbahce play-caller dishes on his favorite plays when the game is on the line

Sarunas Jasikevicus: 'Most important is to not speak, but to actually do it'

Euroleague Masterminds, presented by Motorola, spoke to five Turkish Airlines EuroLeague head coaches about their philosophy and tactics.

The fifth and final installment of this series features Sarunas Jasikevicus, a four-time champion as a player who has guided two teams to Final Fours as a head coach. Saras shares his outlook on coaching, especially when the game is on the line. 

"You have to play good defense, you have to not give cheap points," Jasikevicus explains. "In European basketball, the teams are so similar to one another. So every cheap point, every transition point, offensive rebound, 50-50 balls; these balls really determine at the end of the game for 5, 6, 7 points difference. And usually the games are decided in that point range."

Jasikevicius was the last among the five coaching greats to share some of the tricks of the trade on Euroleague Masterminds, presented by Motorola. Previous episodes saw [Zeljko Obradovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-masterminds-what-coaching-greats-know/) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, [Ioannis Sfairopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/ioannis-sfairopoulos-work-hard-improve-yourself-be-patient/) of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, [Ettore Messina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/ettore-messina-i-try-to-learn-every-day-from-my-players/) of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and [Pablo Laso](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/pablo-laso-explains-his-transition-offense/) of FC Bayern Munich take us inside the mind of an elite head coach.

The third- and sixth-place teams from the regular season will lock horns as AS Monaco Basket hosts Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul in the principality on Wednesday. 

Preview: AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/312/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-game-facts-mco-ulk/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-game-notes-mco-ulk/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-prequotes-mco-ulk/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-37/)

Fenerbahce has the worst road record out of all playoff teams, with just 5 wins in 17 regular-season attempts, while Monaco has won nine of its last ten at home.

Monaco, as always, will run its offense through the competition's all-time leading scorer [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), who averaged 18.7 points and 5.1 assists during the regular season and reached double-digit scoring in every single game. He has plenty of support from the likes of all-action forward [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) and smooth shooting big man [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/).

Fenerbahce will run its offense through the experience of [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) (4.9 assists per game) and the three-point shooting of [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) (3.0 triples per night), while the Turkish team's all-around threat, [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/), faces a great matchup against defensive ace [John Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-brown/010588/).

[Monaco Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/statistics/mco/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Fenerbahce Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/statistics/ulk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Mike James vs. Scottie Wilbekin: The opposition defenses are going to have their hands full when it comes to trying to contain these two.

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

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

The third- and sixth-place teams from the regular season will lock horns as Monaco hosts Fenerbahce in the principality on Wednesday. 

Monaco, Fenerbahce ready to lock horns in a Game 1 showdown

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

Heavyweights collide at Palau Blaugrana as Barça Basket welcomes Olympiacos BC, boosted by the knowledge of already having beaten the Greek team twice this season: 86-78 at home and 68-77 in Piraeus.

Preview: Barça Basket vs. Olympiacos BC

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/311/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-game-facts-bar-oly/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-game-notes-bar-oly/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-po-g1-prequotes-bar-oly/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-37/)

The Reds made the stronger finish to the regular season, winning 10 of their last 11 games, and head coach Georgios Bartzokas has been further strengthened by the return of towering center [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) after nearly three months out injured. His physical presence will be important against the outstanding Barca big-man duo of [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/), who combined for an average of 24 points and 9.3 rebounds during the regular season.

Two stellar defensive guards will look to control the tempo as [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) faces [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/), while long-range shooting prowess is provided by [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) (12.8 ppg., 40.4% 3PT) and [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) (12.0 ppg., 44.7% 3PT).

[Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Olympiacos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/statistics/oly/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Jabari Parker vs. Alec Peters: There will be quite the battle between the two do-it-all power forwards when they face off in Game 1.

FC Barcelona ground out a well-deserved 68-77 win at Olympiacos Piraeus in the second round of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season. The visitors overwhelmed the home side in the last few minutes of an enthralling rollercoaster, having thrown away a 15-point second-quarter lead in a vibrant atmosphere.

Olympiacos Piraeus-FC Barcelona | Round 2 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Jan Vesely was seemingly unstoppable in Barcelona's big wins against Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Baskonia, netting 27 and 23 points, respectively. His battle with Moustapha Fall could be one to watch as fast-rising Olympiaocs strive to manage tempo via the leadership skills of Thomas Walkup.

FC Barcelona-Olympiacos Piraeus | Round 20 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Heavyweights collide at Palau Blaugrana as FC Barcelona welcomes Olympiacos Piraeus, boosted by the knowledge of already having beaten the Greek team twice this season: 86-78 at home and 68-77 in Greece.

Barcelona, Olympiacos eager to start off on the right foot in Game 1

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

It’s playoff time! And that, in itself, brings new obstacles to EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge managers. On the one hand, fewer players to choose from. On the other, no easy games; no easy points. Moreso than ever before, in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, every game matters! The co-hosts of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, Javier Gancedo, are here to help you navigate through these playoff predicaments.

Fantasy Challenge Podcast: ‘What time is it, Javi?’

It’s playoff time! And that, in itself, brings new obstacles to [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) managers. On the one hand, fewer players to choose from. On the other, no easy games; no easy points. Moreso than ever before, in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, every game matters! The co-hosts of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, Javier Gancedo, are here to help you navigate through these playoff predicaments.

The two jump from series to series, discussing the big names and the underpriced sleepers, to make sure you have thought through all the angles before finalizing your fantasy teams. Get ready for the playoffs with episode No. 32 of your favorite fantasy basketball podcast. 

Here are Javier Gancedo's recommendations for this week's games in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Bring on the playoffs!

It's playoff time in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague! The best eight teams in the competition are set to battle in best-of-five series with only one goal in mind: making it to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin, Germany. With 10 teams already eliminated, there are fewer options in the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) but don't worry, there are plenty of chances to put together a good team. Here are my recommendations before Game 1 of the playoffs: 

[Mike James, AS Monaco (17.9 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/)

James is my superstar of choice at the start of the playoffs. Monaco plays at home, so that is always a plus. Moreover, James has played well against Fenerbahce so far this season, getting 24 points and 5 rebounds for a PIR of 25 in Istanbul and 23 points and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 29 in Monaco. Honestly, what's not to like about him? 

[Matt Costello, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (10.2 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-costello/010444/)

Costello has been sensational lately, helping Baskonia punch its playoff ticket. Against Virtus last week, Costello had 6 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and a PIR of 18 in over 25 minutes. He followed that up with a PIR of 26 in his team's Spanish League game over the weekend. If Chima Moneke remains unavailable, Costello will play even more. 

Mike James, Lorenzo Brown, Matt Costello, Dzanan Musa and Nico Laprovittola are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Playoffs Games 1-2

[Nico Laprovittola, FC Barcelona (11.1 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/)

Barca managed to beat Olympiacos twice this season mainly because of its three-point shooting, which was excellent in Pireaus and pretty good at Palau Blaugrana, too. In his only game against Olympiacos this season, Laprovittola had 17 points and 7 assists for a PIR of 22, missing just a couple of shots. He is expected to play a leading role in this series.

[Dzanan Musa, Real Madrid (14.9 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/)

It's hard to pick just one Real player ahead of the playoffs. Musa has played well against Baskonia in both games this season and that leads me to recommend him. He had 13 points and 7 rebounds in Real's season opener in Vitoria-Gasteiz and had 16 points and 4 rebounds for a PIR of 17 when they met in the Spanish capital. Expect him to stay strong from now on. 

[Lorenzo Brown, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (11.9 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/)

The man of the moment! Brown took Maccabi to the playoffs with a stellar performance against Baskonia: 29 points on 7 of 8 three-pointers and 5 assists for a PIR of 35. Brown struggled a bit at times this season, but not against Panathinaikos, averaging 13.0 points, 9.5 assists and 3.0 steals for a PIR of 17.5 against the Greens. 

Expect maximum drama as the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs tip off with Game 1 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Here's your guide to the action.

Game 1: Playoffs drama arrives!

[Panathinaikos Aktor Athens vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/313/)

After finishing the regular season with nine consecutive home wins, Panathinaikos will look to stay strong in Athens with a visit on Tuesday from dangerous Maccabi, which cruised through its play-in test by crushing Baskonia 113-85.

Maccabi is one of only three visiting teams to win in Athens this season, triumphing 81-86 after overtime in October behind 21 points from [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/), who faces a great matchup with [Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/).

In the paint, two of the league's best big men will battle for supremacy. [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) averages 13.6 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Greens, while [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) leads the league with 7.3 rebounds per game and has posted double-digit PIRs in 13 consecutive games.

The backcourt action will sizzle, too, as Greens' defensive ace [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/) attempts to subdue [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) and [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), who combined for 55 points in the play-in win. The hosts, meanwhile, will look for [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) to continue his hot streak after scoring at least 15 points in six straight games. The experienced leadership of [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) will also be crucial for Panathinaikos, while Maccabi offers serious long-range scoring threats from [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) and [John DiBartolomeo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-dibartolomeo/007990/).

[Real Madrid vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/310/)

Reigning champ and regular season standings leader Real will aim to strike first at home on Tuesday against Baskonia, which qualified for the playoffs by surging past Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Friday's play-in decider.

The visiting team will take confidence from a thrilling 91-95 victory at the WiZink Center in the penultimate round of the regular season. [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) was the chief architect of that victory with 35 points, and he will clearly be a focus for the home team's defense after also netting 28 in the win over Virtus.

Real will look to dominate physically through its fearsome big man duo of [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/), who rank first and second, respectively, in blocks with 1.5 and 1.4 per game. Baskonia will desperately hope that [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) will recover from injury soon to play at 100%, while [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-costello/010444/) has fond memories of Madrid after scoring 19 crucial points in the Round 33 victory.

The defending champ boasts unmatched depth, including the rebounding and scoring of [Gaby Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) and [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/), the veteran leadership of [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) and [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/), and the consistent scoring of [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) and [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/). So Baskonia will need the likes of rebounding ace [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) and long-range shooting threat [Vanja Marinkovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vanja-marinkovic/004761/) to find their best level in the hope of grabbing a priceless road win.

[AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/312/)

The third- and sixth-place teams from the regular season will lock horns as Monaco hosts Fenerbahce in the principality on Wednesday. Fenerbahce has the worst road record out of all playoff teams, with just 5 wins in 17 regular-season attempts, while Monaco has won nine of its last ten at home.

Monaco, as always, will run its offense through the competition's all-time leading scorer [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), who averaged 18.7 points and 5.1 assists during the regular season and reached double-digit scoring in every single game. He has plenty of support from the likes of all-action forward [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) and smooth shooting big man [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/).

Fenerbahce will run its offense through the experience of [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) (4.9 assists per game) and the three-point shooting of [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) (3.0 triples per night), while the Turkish team's all-around threat, [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/), faces a great matchup against defensive ace [John Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-brown/010588/).

A key aspect of the game will be control: Monaco has committed the fewest number of turnovers in the league (10.0 per game), contributing to a team-oriented defense that has allowed just 79.4 points per game – fourth-best in the competition. But Fenerbahce's efficiency offense ranks first in three-point shooting percentage (39.1%) and third in two-pointers (56.4%), so Monaco will aim to disrupt that level of execution as this series tips off.

[FC Barcelona vs. Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/311/)

Heavyweights collide at Palau Blaugrana as Barca welcomes Olympiacos, boosted by the knowledge of already having beaten the Greek team twice this season: 86-78 at home and 68-77 in Piraeus.

The Reds made the stronger finish to the regular season, winning 10 of their last 11 games, and head coach Georgios Bartzokas has been further strengthened by the return of towering center [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) after nearly three months out injured. His physical presence will be important against the outstanding Barca big-man duo of [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/), who combined for an average of 24 points and 9.3 rebounds during the regular season.

Two stellar defensive guards will look to control the tempo as [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) faces [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/), while long-range shooting prowess is provided by [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) (12.8 ppg., 40.4% 3PT) and [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) (12.0 ppg., 44.7% 3PT).

On the wings, two dangerous scorers go head to head as [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/) matches up with [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/), and there will be maximum intensity between two battle-hardened leaders, [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) and [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/), setting the tone for a perfectly poised series.

Game 1: Playoff drama arrives!

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

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

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