Taking care of business in close games is a big part of EuroLeague success.

Stats review: Team efficiency leaders

The drama of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season remains with the final round of the season on the horizon. While all six playoff berths have been claimed, the order of the teams behind first-place Real Madrid remains undetermined. There's still some sorting to be done among the teams in line to qualify for the Play-In Showdown, as well, with three teams still vying for the fourth and final spot in that group. With a dozen teams involved in the postseason picture until the 34th and final round – and the rest in prime position to play spoiler, as LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne did last week – it can be said that the new postseason format has successfully leveraged the parity that has defined the EuroLeague in recent seasons.

For most of the teams in position to claim the second seed in both the overall standings and the Play-In Showdown, the task in Round 34 is simple: win and see what happens from there. For Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, the stakes are a bit more dire as both teams will need some help to sneak into the 10th and final postseason slot. Regardless of where a team falls in the standings, clutch time has arrived.

The table above looks at this season's most successful teams in clutch situations – that is, any possession in the final 5 minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the margin on the scoreboard is 5 points or less Unsurprisingly, this list features many of this season's top overall teams. Nonetheless, a few surprises in the rankings and gaps in performance among the top teams are intriguing.

No team has performed better in the clutch this season than FC Barcelona. Some of that can be traced to the relatively low number of clutch minutes they have played compared to their peers, but Barca is far from an outlier and the gap they enjoy over the rest of the field is hard to ignore. Barcelona's defense has been stellar late in close games, holding opponents to just 29% field goal shooting in clutch situations – 10% lower than any other team.

Real Madrid and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens hold first and second place, respectively, in the standings, and their consistency in the clutch is a big reason why. While Madrid is just 10-6 in the new year – after having finished the first half of the season 16-1 – their clutch performance has not been the issue. Los Blancos have been just as effective late in games over the second half of the season as during the first half. 

Anadolu Efes Istanbul's placement on this list is particularly notable. Despite having a 9-15 record at one point, Efes finds itself in a win-and-in situation going into Round 34 in part because its best clutch moments have come over the last several weeks. During its current 7-2 run, Efes has won two of the last three games by a combined total of three points. 

Whether the teams pushing for playoff position find themselves in games that go down to the wire next week remains to be seen, but there's a lot on the line in Round 34 and how teams have executed under pressure looms as large now as at any point in the season. 

Anadolu Efes has gone 7-2 since Tomislav Mijatovic was promoted to the role of head coach, which has the team on the verge of making the EuroLeague's Play-In Showdown.

Newly found mentality has Anadolu Efes thriving once again

The turnaround cannot be considered complete yet, but when it comes to qualifying for the Play-In Showdown, Anadolu Efes Istanbul has everything in its hands ahead of the final week of the regular season.

To be able to say that, Efes had to pull out [a dramatic 80-82 win in a high-stakes Istanbul derby](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-vs-anadolu-efes-sk/) against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Their Round 33 throw-down had a do-or-die air to it because the winner – Efes – can finish as high as ninth still despite having been 9-15 earlier this season, while the playoff-bound loser – Fenerbahce – is now without any chance of earning home-court advantage in the playoffs.

### Written off not long ago

"Everybody knew what we are fighting for," Efes forward [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) said after shining with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists at Ulker Sports And Event Hall on Friday. "Obviously, we are trying to get into the play-in, and the guys brought their best today."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">📢 <a href="https://twitter.com/Migros_Turkiye?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Migros_Turkiye</a> ile Fenerbahçe Beko karşılaşmamızın <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MVP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MVP</a>’si Will Clyburn!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClyburnSize%C4%B0yiGelecek?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClyburnSizeİyiGelecek</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/QLF2DEUK0W">pic.twitter.com/QLF2DEUK0W</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1776341005974880628?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Head coach Tomislav Mijatovic had nothing but praise for his team after the game.

"These guys are amazing," he commented. "I am super proud of them."

Team captain [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) tried to put the team's effort into words.

"We came here as an underdog," Larkin said. "We really fought as a team, showed our character, showed our intensity, our fight, and our will to win. And we walked out of here as a winner."

Larkin stressed his pride in how the team has been playing and approaching games: 

"A lot of people wrote us off a couple of months ago. We weren't playing our best, we had a lot of injuries, and I guess people just kind of shut the door on our season. But we kept believing in each other."

### Coach Mijatovic not taking credit

Indeed, few expected Efes to be playing meaningful games in April, especially after a seven-game losing streak between December and January, and a 26-point Round 24 loss in Kaunas in Round 24 that dropped the team's record to 9-15.

A day later, Efes parted way with Erdem Can and promoted long-time assistant Mijatovic as head coach until the end of the season.

Efes is 7-2 since then, losing only to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on the road. Now, Efes is sure to finish ninth in the standings, and host the first Play-In Showdown game, if it wins its regular-season finale next week at home to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

Coach Mijatovic waves off any credit for his team's turnaround.

"I am a small part of this," Mijatovic stated after Friday's emotional derby win.

"I am happy, and honored and very privileged to work with these guys for all these years. I feel this obligation to Efes that we have to give everything we can. Hopefully, we can continue to do that."

Tomica Mijatovic spoke to the TV cameras after Anadolu Efes Istanbul beat Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on the road in Round 33 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Coach Mijatovic speaks post-Fenerbahce win

### Be a harder-playing team

Whether or not he takes credit, the recent two-time champions – now in the role of underdog – have shown a new mentality under Mijatovic.

"It took us a while to find this mentality," Larkin explained. "We needed to have this from the beginning of the season, but a lot of things didn't go our way. We faced some adversity, but we didn't give up.

"It doesn't matter what is in front of us, it doesn't matter who it is, what team, what defense, what offense, we've got to go out there do our best, play our hearts out and be the harder-playing team for 40 minutes. That's what we've been preaching for the last few months and I think we've been doing that."

One might think that the final step in this turnaround comes next week against Crvena Zvezda, but with several players and a head coach who have thrived in recent postseasons, Efes can think bigger than only reaching the Play-In Showdown.

Mijatovic refuses to look past the next game – "Step by step" has been his mantra – but one has to wonder if any other EuroLeague playoff team would be happy to face Efes going forward.

Game News

Tomica Mijatovic on the sidelines during Anadolu Efes Istanbul's win at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 33 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The two-time EuroLeague champion has been transformed since Tomica Mijatovic became head coach.

New-found mentality has Efes thriving again

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-04-05T17:45:00.000Z)

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Dinos Mitoglou of Panathinaikos collects the ball in front of Bayern's Serge Ibaka

Balsa Koprivoca of Partizan rises to block a shot by ALBA's Johannes Thiemann

Will Clyburn of Efes grabs the ball in front of Fenerbahce's Scottie Wilbekin

Chima Moneke of Baskonia challenges Real Madrid's Walter Tavares at the rim

James Nunnally of Partizan hangs on the rim after dunking in Berlin

Nemanja Nedovic of Crvena Zvezda tries to split the defense of Olympiacos's Nigel Williams-Goss and Moses Wright

Devon Hall of Milan hangs on the rim after dunking against Virtus

Elie Okobo of Monaco drives into the heart of the Zalgiris defense

Adam Hanga of Crvena Zvezda dunks in front of Olympiacos's Moustapha Fall

Edwin Jackson of ASVEL dribbles despite the defense of Valencia's Xabi Lopez-Arostegui

Look back at all the action from Round 33 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

The Top 10 photos of the week, Rounds 33

See EuroLeague action from the inside thanks to the MindFly bodycams worn by the players!

See Bayern vs. Panathinaikos from inside two players' jerseys!

Have you ever wanted to know what it feels like to really be part of the action of a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game?

Well, feast your eyes and ears on what a revolutionary MindFly AI ultralight-powered bodycam embedded in the jerseys of two players can show you!

FC Bayern Munich forwards [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) and [Niels Giffey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/niels-giffey/001557/) wore MindFly's POV Cam during their team's final home game of the EuroLeague season against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens on Friday as part of Round 33.

Now, you can not only watch the game action from closer than ever through the cameras in their jerseys but also hear them speaking throughout the game. It's a fascinating look at the players who are at the heart of the EuroLeague game experience.

Euroleague Basketball and MindFly started their collaboration during the last Final Four held in Kaunas, where all fans had the possibility to re-live some of the best moments of the EuroLeague's final phase as if they were inside the court. This season's debut of the same technology let fans experience *El Clásico* between [Real Madrid and FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/experience-el-clasico-like-never-before/) and since then a true winning streak of derby rivalries: [AS Monaco and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/go-right-on-court-with-monaco-and-asvel/) in France, [Virtus Segafredo Bologna and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/join-virtus-bologna-olimpia-milano-on-the-floor-euroleague-derby-ditalia/) in Italy, [Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce Beko](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/mindfly-referee-cams-went-inside-the-istanbul-derby/) in Turkey, [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/go-inside-the-belgrade-derby-with-mindflys-referee-cams/) in Serbia, and [Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Panathinaikos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/the-greek-derby-like-youve-never-seen-it-before/) in Greece.

In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague roll call, we take a look at five players that had a big impact on their respective games in Round 33: Juancho Hernangomez, Stefano Tonut, Matt Costello, Moses Wright, Joffrey Lauvergne.

Round 33 roll call: Big performances in big wins

### Lauvergne embodied ASVEL's pride

Next-to-last place LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne had nothing to play for but pride in its visit to Valencia Basket on Thursday, and who better to embody that pride than [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/). The veteran center was everywhere as the visitors rocked Valencia, [69-98](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/293/), for ASVEL's second-biggest road win in 116 EuroLeague games this century. Lauvergne led the winners with 21 points and a 27 PIR, his second-best numbers in both categories this season. He made 8 of 10 two-point shots while adding 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, amounting to an inspired performance for him and his team, based purely on pride.

Joffrey Lauvergne was everywhere as ASVEL rocked Valencia, 69-98, for its second-biggest road win in 116 EuroLeague games this century. Lauvergne led the winners with 21 points and a 27 PIR, his second-best numbers in both categories this season.

Joffrey Lauvergne's highlights vs. Valencia Basket

### Wright to the rescue for Olympiacos

Olympiacos Piraeus had plenty to gain but also plenty to handle from already-eliminated Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in the latter's final game on its home floor on Thursday night. With one center, Nikola Milutinov, still sidelined with a long-term injury, and another, Moustapha Fall, held to 4 points, [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) stepped into the void and made every one of his game-high 20 points count in a nail-biting [86-89](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/291/) victory that guaranteed the Reds a playoff spot. Wright scored 16 of those points in a second half that saw Zvezda nipping at the heels of Olympiacos all the way to the finish. His poised three-pointer to break an 84-84 tie with 24 seconds left proved the deciding play as the Reds put one goal behind them and turned their attention to trying to secure home-court advantage in the final round of the regular season.

Moses Wright scored a game-high 20 points as Olympiacos Piraeus beat Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in Round 33 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Moses Wright's highlights vs. Crvena Zvezda

### Hernangomez's big night in Munich

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens remained on fire and got closer to clinching home-court advantage in the playoffs. Above all, Panathinaikos keeps winning games and adding pieces to head coach Ergin Ataman's winning puzzle. In a [75-82](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/295/) win against FC Bayern Munich, [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) came off the bench and had a near-perfect performance. He finished the game with 14 points by making 3 of 3 two-point shots, 2 of 3 three-pointers and 2 of 2 free throws. He added 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal for a PIR of 16. It was his first double-digit game in scoring since Round 24. With the game tied at 70-70, he capped a 0-8 run with a three-pointer, and the Greens never looked back after that moment.

He finished the game with 14 points on 3 of 3 two-pointers, 2 of 3 three-pointers and 2 of 2 free throws. He added 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal for a PIR of 16. It was his first double-digit game in scoring since Round 24.

Hernangomez leads Panathinaikos's bench in Round 33

### Tonut excels in Italian derby win

After three consecutive losses in the competition, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan beat Virtus Segafredo Bologna [90-75](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/294/), using a great team effort to get a big lead and sealing the outcome long before the final buzzer. [Stefano Tonut](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/stefano-tonut/006509/) took it as a personal challenge, arguably playing his best game in this EuroLeague campaign. Tonut had a season-high 15 points while downing 3 of 5 two-point shots, 2 of 3 three-pointers and 3 of 4 free throws. He added 4 rebounds, an assist, a couple of steals and drew 4 fouls. All that allowed Tonut to amass a PIR of 17, his highest mark of the season. Most importantly, Tonut help Milan to stay in the play-in race until the very end of the regular season!

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan Stefano Tonut had a season-high 15 points on 3 of 5 two-pointers, 2 of 3 three-pointers and 3 of 4 free throws against Virtus Segafredo Bologna. He added 4 rebounds, an assist, a couple of steals and drew 4 fouls.

Tonut has season-high 15 points in Italian derby

### Costello did it again

Most centers find it hard to play against Real Madrid big men Walter Tavares and Vincent Poirier, who lead the competition in blocked shots. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz big man [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-costello/010444/) is definitely not one of them. Last season, Costello had 20 points against Real, leading Baskonia to an 81-85 win with a spectacular four-point play almost at the buzzer. This season, Baskonia beat Real at WiZink Center, [91-95](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/297/), and Costello shined again, using his deep range to get Tavares and Poirier out of the paint and his speed to attack the rim. Costello had a season-high 19 points on 6-for-7 two-point shooting, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, a block and a PIR of 17.

Matt Costello had a season-high 19 points on 6 of 7 two-pointers, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, a block and a PIR of 17 to lead Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz to a 91-95 road win against Real Madrid.

Costello leads Baskonia past Real

In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague roll call, we take a look at five players that had a big impact on their respective games in Round 33.

Check out the top performers statistically from Round 33 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Round 33, individual highs: Markus Howard, Baskonia, 35 points

[Points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score)

[Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz led Round 33 in scoring with 35 points. Howard now leads the scorers' table with 19.0 points per game.

[Rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds)

[Tadas Sedekerkis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/), also of Baskonia, led all rebounders by pulling down 14. [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv is the competition's top rebounder with 7.2 boards per night.

[Assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances)

Another Baskonia player, [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/), was the only player in Round 33 to reach double digits in assists, dishing 12. He is also first overall with 7.2 assists per contest.

[Steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals)

In the same game, [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) of Real Madrid collected 5 steals, more than anybody in Round 33. [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne leads the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season in steals with 1.7 per game.  

[Blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour)

[Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/), also of Real Madrid, had 3 blocks in this round. His teammate, [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/), is first overall with 1.5 rejection per game.

[Double-doubles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=miscellaneous&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=doubleDoubles)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade's [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) (19 points, 12 rebounds), EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) (20 points, 11 rebounds) and ALBA Berlin's [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/) (18 points, 11 rebounds) each recorded a double-double in Round 33.

A stellar individual performance in a crucial road victory allowed Will Clyburn of Anadolu Efes Istanbul to achieve Round 33 MVP honors with a PIR of 28.

Round 33 MVP: Will Clyburn, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

A stellar individual performance in a crucial road victory allowed [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul to achieve Round 33 MVP honors with a PIR of 28.

Clyburn helped Efes beat Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 80-83 in the Istanbul Derby, leading the way with 21 points on 5-of-7 two-pointers, 2-of-5 three-pointers and 5-of-6 free throws. He added 5 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and 6 fouls drawn for a PIR of 28, the highest of any winning player in Round 33. This is the sixth MVP of the Round award of Clyburn's career and the first this season.

Will Clyburn | Round 33 MVP | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

[Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) of Crvena Zvezda Merdianbet Belgrade had the highest PIR in this round, 32, but his team registered an 86-89 home loss against Olympiacos Piraeus. Bolomboy posted 19 points on 8-of-10 two-pointers and 3-of-3 free throws. He added 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks and 5 fouls drawn. [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/) of ALBA Berlin had a PIR of 28 in his team's 83-94 home defeat against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. Thiemann had 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 6 fouls drawn. [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/) of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, each with a PIR of 27, complete the top individual performances in Round 33.

Marko Cojanovic beat everyone else in Round 33 of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge with his team Mucacos, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 227.35.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 33 winner

Marko Cojanovic beat everyone else in Round 33 of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge with his team Mucacos, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 227.35.

Marko had the following lineup: team captain Will Clyburn of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's Kevin Punter, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's Nikola Mirotic, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade's Joel Bolomboy and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens's Kendrick Nunn as the other starters.

His sixth man was Nigel Williams-Goss of Olympiacos Piraeus. On the bench, he also had Adam Hanga of Zvezda, Noam Yaacov of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Jaron Blossomgame of AS Monaco and Kevarrius Hayes of Zalgiris Kaunas. His head coach was Partizan boss Zeljko Obradovic.

The prize for finishing first in Round 33 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2024-25 season, so congratulations, Marko!

Ilias Preveza stays as the leader of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge overall standings with 6,039.3 points.

Trades are now open for Round 34. We are back to three trades per round for the last time this season! Then it is unlimited trades until a champion is crowned at the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin, Germany!

The first games in Round 34 — Zalgiris vs. Real Madrid and Monaco vs. FC Bayern Munich — tip off on Thursday, April 11, at 19:00 CET. Those fixtures mark the deadline to get trades done, so don’t leave it too late.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge!

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 33rd winner in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge!

Olimpia Milano has a shot at making the postseason after downing Virtus Bologna 90-75 in Round 34 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Fully-focused Milano can head into regular-season finale with a chance

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan kept its play-in chances alive by [downing Virtus Segafredo Bologna 90-75](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-olimpia-milano-vs-virtus-bologna/), breaking the game open in the second half to get a comfortable victory, its 15th of the season. 

Milan looked for its go-to guys in the first half and raised its focus and effectiveness after the interval to keep a double-digit margin throughout the second half. [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) led a 13-0 run which allowed Milan to get its first double-digit margin, 20-9. When Virtus got closer, [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) scored 7 points in the final 70 seconds of the first half to boost Milan's margin to 46-34 at the break.

Despite getting a decent-sized big lead, Milan was struggling to score inside the arc, hitting just 7 of its 15 two-point shots in the first half (46.7% 2FG). Once Milan improved that numbers, getting fast-break layups off steals and sharing the ball at the same level as in the first half, which allowed the hosts to pull away. In the second half, Milan buried 15-of-19 two-point shots (78.9% 2FG).

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan forward Nikola Mirotic recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds in his team's 90-75 win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 33 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Mirotic had a double-double against Virtus

### An impressive night by Milan's stars

Mirotic finished the game with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Shields had nine of his 11 points before the break. Despite battling foul trouble, [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) needed just 16 minutes to get 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Above all, like Mirotic said after the game, it was a great team effort.

"We knew the importance of this game and I think we showed a lot of character throughout the whole game," Mirotic commented afterward. "We started very physical and knew it had to be a team work. We fought for 40 minutes and it was a great team win tonight. 

"We knew that this game is not just about the EuroLeague, it was about the Italian League, so this game was huge for us. There is always room to improve, individually and as a team, so we have to stay humble. We have one more game and have to prepare. Each game now is like a final."

Nikola Mirotic spoke to the TV cameras after EA7 Emporio Armani Milan beat Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 33 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Mirotic speaks post-Virtus win

Milan finished the game with 18 assists and just 10 turnovers. On the other hand, Virtus had fewer assists (16) and more turnovers (14), suffering its sixth consecutive loss. Virtus started the season with a 15-5 record and has gone 2-10 after that.

Milan head coach Ettore Messina shared his thoughts about his team's play-in chances. His team needs to win and get some results to go their way, but Milan will only worry about what it can control.

"It was, honestly, an encouraging game. We will see if this game is enough. Now we need to hope and try to play the best possible game in the next round," Coach Messina said.

"We still have a game. Let's see if we are good enough to win that game and more important, if we are fortunate with the results. We will see. It is very difficult but I think we have to honor the competition and play a good game in the last round."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Who will be in the Play-In Showdown?⏳ <a href="https://t.co/CvONBaoQIX">pic.twitter.com/CvONBaoQIX</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1776354871416950865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Milan visits Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Round 34. Maccabi is locked in to seventh place and is waiting to discover its first play-in opponent, which will be the winner of the game between Virtus and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz; they will face each other next week in a do-or-die battle for eighth place.

Nikola Mirotic raises his fist in delight during EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's win at home to Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 34 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Italian side has a shot at making the postseason in Round 34

Fully-focused Milan can head into regular-season finale with a chance

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-04-05T18:30:00.000Z)