Defensive momentum is like gold dust, especially in the postseason, and these teams are building theirs now.

Stats review: What defenses are tightening the screws

The postseason push is upon us as just five more rounds remain in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. At this stage of the season, teams have had their ups and downs, have made and faced adjustments, offensively and defensively, and are looking to build momentum and maximize their playoff prospects. Momentum is a difficult thing to achieve at this level, but several teams have been thriving over the second half of the season.

The table above looks at the teams that have been playing the best defense, in terms of points per possession, since the calendar turned to 2024. FC Barcelona and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens have held steady towards the top of the overall defensive leaderboards all season but have stepped up over the last two months to distance themselves from the rest of the teams near the top of the standings.

For Panathinaikos, the formula has changed in some subtle ways. The Greens have slowed down the pace of games and made some adjustments to how they defend off-the-ball in pick-and-rolls. The result has been more effective rim protection and limited spot-up opportunities for their opponents. 

FC Barcelona has stuck to their strengths, as well, allowing the fewest transition points in the EuroLeague and doing a tremendous job with their rotations off the ball and against quick hitters.

Among the top five teams in defensive efficiency from the first half of the season, Panathinaikos and Barcelona are the only two to have improved in the new year, although AS Monaco deserves credit for being consistent throughout. 

Steals and blocks in 2024 by Panathinaikos and Barcelona

Steals and blocks by Panathinaikos and Barcelona

The top two defensive teams from the beginning of the season, Real Madrid and Valencia, also appear on this list. But after averaging 0.88 and 0.93 points per possession, respectively, at the end of 2023, Real Madrid and Valencia have fallen back to the 1.00-point-per-possession mark – which is the EuroLeague average. That has allowed Barcelona and Panathinaikos to close the gap on Real, which still leads the EuroLeague in defensive efficiency for the full season, but only by a slim margin that continues to shrink.  

While Madrid is a near-lock to finish first in the standings, whether its defense can get back on track is something to monitor, especially given how dominant Los Blancos were until the end of 2023. Since then, letting opponents run in transition has been the culprit behind Real's defensive inconsistency. Over the regular season's final month, the defending champs have no opponents currently ranked higher than eighth in the standings, so whether they can revert to their earlier defensive dominance in time for the postseason will be an interesting theme to watch.

Barcelona's defense will take on a fascinating test during the double-round week when they visit Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, among the EuroLeague's most efficient offensive teams in 2024, before heading to Athens to take on Panathinaikos.

Ahead of the final two-round week of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, The EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is here to break down the moves you should consider – and to warn against some you should not. This time, co-hosts Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs are joined by beIN SPORTS broadcaster and basketball journalist extraordinaire Ismail Senol from Turkey.

Fantasy Challenge Podcast: Ismail Senol returns!

Ahead of the final two-round week of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, The EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is here to break down the moves you should consider – and to warn against some you should not. This time, co-hosts Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs are joined by beIN SPORTS broadcaster and basketball journalist extraordinaire Ismail Senol from Turkey.

Among the topics they discussed were which of the elite guards should you pass on, whether now is Markus Howard’s time, how to navigate the Valencia big man situation, when you should pick up Tibor Pleiss, whether the Gancedo jinx will sink Alexa Avramovic and much, much more. Tune in now to hear their takes on all those topics and more. Join the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) community and get the best advice on the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast.

Red-hot Olympiacos Piraeus (18-11) will look to make it seven straight wins with a trip to Anadolu Efes Istanbul (12-17), which is battling for a place in the top 10.

Efes needs to put the brakes on red-hot Olympiacos

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/263/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-facts-ist-oly/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-notes-ist-oly/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-prequotes-ist-oly/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-30/)

Lucky charm [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) has won all six of his games for the Reds, netting a team-high 19 points on perfect two-point shooting in last week’s derby win over Panathinaikos, and the task of slowing him down falls to Efes big man [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/), who has double-digit scoring in three of the last four games. Olympiacos relied on stingy defense to claim a comfortable win, 75-57, when the teams met in October, with dependable veteran [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) providing 14 points and 7 rebounds. This matchup has been remarkably close over the years, with 24 wins apiece in their 48 meetings this century, but the Reds haven't won in Istanbul since 2017.

[Efes Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/statistics/ist/?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)

Will Clyburn vs. Alec Peters: These former teammates and ex-champions will have a lot to say about which team wins on Tuesday.

Olympiacos Piraeus improved to a 3-2 record in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season after a comprehensive 75-57 drubbing of visiting Anadolu Efes Istanbul, which slipped to 2-3 after a tepid performance.

Olympiacos Piraeus-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | Round 5 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-03-19T17:30:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas (11-18) will attempt to boost its fading postseason hopes against a Virtus Segafredo Bologna team (17-12) that has similarly faded away from contention for the top four. 

Zalgiris, Virtus battle for a re-start victory

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/266/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-facts-zal-vir/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-notes-zal-vir/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-prequotes-zal-vir/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-30/)

Lucky charm [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) has won all six of his games for the Reds, netting a team-high 19 points on perfect two-point shooting in last week’s derby win over Panathinaikos, and the task of slowing him down falls to Efes big man [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/), who has double-digit scoring in three of the last four games. Olympiacos relied on stingy defense to claim a comfortable win, 75-57, when the teams met in October, with dependable veteran [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) providing 14 points and 7 rebounds. This matchup has been remarkably close over the years, with 24 wins apiece in their 48 meetings this century, but the Reds haven't won in Istanbul since 2017.

[Zalgiris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/statistics/zal/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Virtus Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/statistics/vir/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Rolands Smits vs. Tornike Shengelia: Two veteran forwards who never quit will go against each other on Tuesday.

Keenan Evans pulled off an extraordinary performance to inspire Zalgiris Kaunas to a 79-82 victory over Virtus Segafredo Bologna on the road at Paladozza on Thursday night. 

Virtus Segafredo Bologna-Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 1 | Highlights

Zalgiris Kaunas v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-03-19T18:00:00.000Z)

League leader Real Madrid (23-6) could clinch home-court advantage for the playoffs against rock-bottom ALBA Berlin, which only has pride at stake.

 Real aims for home-court advantage at rock-bottom ALBA

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-real-madrid/E2023/262/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-facts-ber-mad/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-notes-ber-mad/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-prequotes-ber-mad/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-30/)

The reigning champ will be keen to stay on the right track after ending a three-game losing streak by winning at Virtus last week and will look to dominate the frontcourt through [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/), who top scored with 15 points in that game, alongside [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) and the league leader in blocker shots, [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/). ALBA forward [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/) will try to counter them after returning from injury with 11 points and 7 rebounds in last week's narrow loss to Monaco. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/ was the star performer, pouring in 26 points on 10-of-13 field goal shooting, when Real cruised past ALBA, 99-75, earlier in the season.

[ALBA Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/statistics/ber/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Madrid Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Johannes Thiemann vs. Guerschon Yabusele: Two big-bodied talents will try to take their games inside and outside on Tuesday.

It's top taking on bottom as seemingly unstoppable league-leaders Los Blancos entertain rock-bottom ALBA. The troubled German side have not beaten the defending champs this century in almost 15 years' worth of trying, but could they do the unthinkable and cause a shockwave?

Real Madrid-ALBA Berlin | Round 10 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

ALBA Berlin v Real Madrid (2024-03-19T19:00:00.000Z)

In-form Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (16-13) will aim to strengthen its playoff push by overcoming an LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (7-12) squad that showed its spoiler capabilities by downing Efes last week. 

Streaking Maccabi welcomes spoiler-minded ASVEL

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/264/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-facts-tel-asv/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-notes-tel-asv/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-prequotes-tel-asv/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-30/)

Maccabi has won three straight to push closer to the top six, most recently showing great character to battle from behind against Zvezda behind 18 points and 13 rebounds from weekly MVP [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) plus the help of 23 points from [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/). A huge night from [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/), with 23 points and 9 rebounds, was not enough for ASVEL when the teams met in December, as [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) paired 21 points with 8 assists to secure a thrilling 91-94 road victory.

[Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [ASVEL Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/statistics/asv/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Lorenzo Brown vs. Nando De Colo: Superstar guards who bend the game to their tempo will square off on Tuesday.

A pair of stellar scorers go head-to-head. ASVEL’s Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot has scored 20 points in both his previous two, while Maccabi's Wade Baldwin continues his return to full fitness and game rhythm after netting 18 points in the important, yet impressive, triumph over ALBA Berlin.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 12 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-03-19T19:05:00.000Z)

A key battle in the playoff race will see Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (13-16) attempt to stay in the top 10 by downing Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (16-13), which is still in the hunt for a top-six finish. 

Partizan seeks revival as Baskonia comes to Belgrade

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/265/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-facts-par-bas/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-notes-par-bas/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-prequotes-bar-bas/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-30/)

Baskonia is on a roll after winning four of its last five, but those were all at home and the Spanish team has won only one of its last six on the road. Similarly, Partizan has suffered on the road recently to slip down the standings, but has tasted victory in four of its last five games in Belgrade and knows a victory of 2 points or more would grant it the head-to-head advantage over Baskonia after an 84-83 win for the Spanish team in Vitoria. [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) led the way with 16 points, including the game-winning free throws. [Aleksa Avramovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/) will try to maintain his magnificent form for Partizan, after scoring 30, 19 and 27 points in the last three games.

[Partizan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/statistics/par/?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)

Kevin Punter vs. Vanja Marinkovic: Two perimeter marksmen who fans in Belgrade know well will take each other's measure on Tuesday.

Coach Dusko Ivanovic got off to a perfect start in his fourth stint with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, as the home side edged out Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 84-83 in a pulsating Round 6 clash on Friday. 

Baskonia-Partizan | Round 6 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-03-19T19:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul  (18-11) head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius goes up against his former team, FC Barcelona (20-9), for the first time in a major matchup in the top four race. 

 Fenerbahce hosts first Jasikevicius, Barcelona reunion 

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-fc-barcelona/E2023/269/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-facts-ulk-bar/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-notes-ulk-bar/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-prequotes-ulk-bar/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-30/)

The Turkish team has been unstoppable at home recently, winning six in a row and setting its club record for scoring in each of the last two games, including a 118-88 destruction of Valencia last week. A key battle will take place in the backcourt between two iconic point guards, as all-time assists leader [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) confronts the legendary [Ricky Rubio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ricky-rubio/lfw/), who showed he is getting back to his best by providing 7 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds in last week's win over Partizan. Fenerbahce will be targeting a win of 9 points or more to claim head-to-head advantage after losing 89-81 at Palau Blaugrana in December behind 21 points and 9 rebounds from [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/).

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

Scottie Wilbekin vs. Nicolas Laprovittola: A pair of natural-born sharpshooters will be firing away in this Friday showdown.

Fenerbahce point guard Nick Calathes reunites with his old team and his battle with Tomas Satoransky for control could prove pivotal for the outcome. Barcelona has sights on protecting its perfect home record, while the Turks have lost five on their travels in succession, but will this play to form?

FC Barcelona-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Round 13 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Fenerbahce hosts first Jasikevicius, Barcelona reunion

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v FC Barcelona (2024-03-20T17:45:00.000Z)

High-flying AS Monaco (19-10) is aiming to make it nine consecutive victories with a visit from inconsistent but still fighting EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (12-17).

Monaco out to prolong winning streak against visiting Milan

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/267/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-facts-mco-mil/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-game-notes-mco-mil/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs30-prequotes-mco-mil/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-30/)

November's meeting between the teams was a low-scoring affair, taken 66-72 by the Roca team thanks to 21 points from usual suspect [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), who will again look to shine against his former club after scoring at least 16 points in seven straight games. James is receiving plenty of help right now from [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/), who has averaged 17.5 points and 5 assists in the last two games. Milan has failed to win away from home since December, mostly due to a misfiring offense that hasn't surpassed 77 points during a six-game road losing run, but can count upon fit-again [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) to deliver the goods after averaging 21 points in the last three games.

[Monaco Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/statistics/mco/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Milan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/statistics/mil/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Mike James vs. Shavon Shields:  Few players have the ball in their hands to end possessions as much as these two stars.

AS Monaco made it four wins in a row with a strong second half to down EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, which has now lost four straight. The 66-72 road victory improved Monaco to 4-2, while Milan dropped to 1-5.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-AS Monaco | Round 6 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

AS Monaco v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-03-20T18:00:00.000Z)