Olimpia Milano attempted just 15 two-pointers, tied for an all-time low in EuroLeague history, in its 85-83 win over KK Partizan.

Olimpia Milano tied a EuroLeague record on night of strange stats

Some very unusual stats emerged from [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan’s thrilling 85-83 victory over Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-olimpia-milano-vs-kk-partizan/) on Friday night, which significantly boosted the Italian team’s hopes of postseason action by moving within one win of the Serbian visitors.

Firstly, Ettore Messina’s men tied an all-time EuroLeague record by only attempting 15 shots from two-point range, [only previously matched by Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/stats/db/E2018/256/#boxscore) in a playoff victory over FC Barcelona in 2019.

And that wasn’t because Milan was struggling so badly from inside the arc that it gave up on the idea of scoring in penetration. Quite the opposite, in fact, as the hosts converted an extremely impressive 12 of those 15 two-point attempts, including the game-winner from [Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/) that was originally ruled as a three before a video review showed his toe was just on the line.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ht" dir="ltr">SHAAAAABAZZ NAAAAPIER ⚪️🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olimpiamilano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#olimpiamilano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/F30kSJ6dqx">pic.twitter.com/F30kSJ6dqx</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1766233160814121114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Remarkably, [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) and [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) combined to convert all 9 of their two-point attempts, with no Milan player missing more than once from inside the arc.

Why, then, were so few two-point shots attempted? 

Firstly, because Milan was shooting the ball very well from deep, making 16 of its 31 three-point attempts as key scorers Shields, Hall, Napier and [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) all scored multiple triples.

Secondly, the hosts were prevented from taking on more shots inside the arc by its far too frequent carelessness with the ball, committing 19 turnovers and allowing Partizan to stay in the game by having more possessions and therefore taking on far more shots from the field (59 against 46).

A meeting of coaching legends sees Ettore Messina's Milan attempt to overcome Zeljko Obradovic's Partizan in a big battle just outside the postseason places. The Serbian team ended a three-game losing streak by downing Efes, while the Italian's inconsistent season took another blow with a loss at Bayern.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | Round 28 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

And to finish with another extremely uncommon stat: Milan’s big men Mirotic, [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/007201/), [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) and [Kyle Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kyle-hines/002812/) scored a combined total of 2 two-point shots (one apiece for Voigtmann and Hines). Yet, the Italian team still won the game. Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.

More Milan News

Nicolo Melli shoots one of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's 31 three-point attempts in its win against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 28 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Ettore Messina’s side made a bit of history against Partizan

Milan tied a EuroLeague record on night of strange stats

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2024-03-08T19:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos B.C. took its game to another level in the second half against LDLC ASVEL, particularly on defense, as it came away with an 85-67 triumph.

Panathinaikos leaned on its defense to take control against ASVEL

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens grabbed its 18th win of the season on Friday night, [downing LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 85-67 at OAKA](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-panathinaikos-bc-vs-ldlc-asvel/) in Round 28. It was a much harder game than the final scoreline suggested, however, as ASVEL had a great first half and gave the Greens a lot of trouble.

ASVEL maximized its advantages in the opening 20 minutes, looking for [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/) and [Youssoupha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/youssoupha-fall/006568/) around the basket. The guests took 32 two-point shots before the break and pulled down 8 offensive rebounds. Panathinaikos was also out of focus, picking up 6 turnovers, missing 5 free-throw attempts, getting no steals and hitting just 4-of-12 shots from beyond the arc (33.3% 3FG). ASVEL had just 3 turnovers to go with 5 assists and 3 steals.

"Before the game, I told them that to play this kind of game is always difficult. You think you will win an easy game but there are experienced players on the other side and \[they\] play without stress," Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman said after the game. "We didn't have good organization in the first half. We always gave them pick-and-roll scores."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOME WIN VIBES ☘️💜<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/purpleON?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#purpleON</a> <a href="https://t.co/LXQOoQgGsz">pic.twitter.com/LXQOoQgGsz</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1766213446679347409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Panathinaikos picked things up on defense

Everything changed after the break, with Panathinaikos's physicality and focus making the difference. ASVEL recorded as many as 11 second-half turnovers, only took 16 two-point shots (half as many as in the first half) and grabbed just 8 rebounds after the break, none of which were on the offensive end.

Panathinaikos ended up outrebounding ASVEL 39-26, grabbing 8 offensive rebounds in each half. The Greens were more focused in general, finding better shots. It had 8 assists and 7 steals after the break, hitting 7-of-17 three-pointers (41.2% 3FG) and all 8 of its free-throw attempts.

### Grant led the Greens' charge

[Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/) played a huge role in this turnaround, scoring 15 of his career-high 21 points after the break. Grant, the 2022-23 BKT EuroCup MVP with Turk Telekom Ankara, also had a career-best PIR of 25.

"We just changed our energy level. Coach \[Ataman\] said not to panic and all of our players knew that we weren't going to panic. We went out there, played our game and we did that," Grant said. "Maybe it is the jerseys, but we are playing well right now and we just want to continue \[like this\]."

Jerian Grant of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens had 21 points and a PIR of 25 in Round 28 against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.

Grant has career-best night against ASVEL

Panathinaikos is now on a three-game winning streak and has chained together seven straight wins at OAKA, but next week it visits archrival Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 29. Olympiacos has won six of its last seven games, which makes this vital showdown in the playoff race even more epic and interesting.

"Of course, it is a very important game. It is a derby game against Olympiacos, and it is very important because they are very close in the points \[standings\]," commented Coach Ataman.

"Also, they played great in the last three or four games, winning all of them. Six more games \[left in the regular season\]and every game will be a final. There is a big race of five or six teams for the second, third and fourth positions, so we will go step by step. Of course, after the game, I will immediately start to think about the next step."

More Panathinaikos News

The Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens players come together during their team's win against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 28 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Jerian Grant ended up having a key role in the Greens coming out on top in Round 28

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-03-08T19:15:00.000Z)

Shabazz Napier scored a clutch basket as Olimpia Milano beat KK Partizan 85-83 in Round 28 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Shabazz Napier steps up as Olimpia Milano beats KK Partizan, 85-83

<incrowd-live-blog id="65e8497959f35bd260edc007" client-id="EUROLEAGUE" server="standard"></incrowd-live-blog><script src="https://live-blog.incrowdsports.com/index.js"></script>

Shabazz Napier of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan celebrates after scoring the game-winning basket against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 28 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The American guard his a clutch deep two-pointer to win the game for the Italian side

Shabazz Napier steps up as Milan beats Partizan, 85-83

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz beat ALBA Berlin 88-71 at Buesa Arena in Round 28 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Baskonia cruises past ALBA, 88-71, to stay in the hunt

<incrowd-live-blog id="65e8493d0225c8cfbedc3efe" client-id="EUROLEAGUE" server="standard"></incrowd-live-blog><script src="https://live-blog.incrowdsports.com/index.js"></script>

Markus Howard of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz looks to get a shot away against ALBA Berlin in Round 28 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games.

The Spanish side remains in the play-in spots following its third win in the last four games

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v ALBA Berlin (2024-03-08T19:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos B.C. beat LDLC ASVEL 85-67 at OAKA in Round 28 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Panathinaikos B.C. takes down LDLC ASVEL at home, 85-67

<incrowd-live-blog id="65e8490959f35bd260edc003" client-id="EUROLEAGUE" server="standard"></incrowd-live-blog><script src="https://live-blog.incrowdsports.com/index.js"></script>

Kostas Sloukas of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens is guarded by Edwin Jackson of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 28 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Greens have now won seven straight games at OAKA

Panathinaikos takes down ASVEL at home, 85-67

The race for the EuroLeague playoffs intensifies with Round 28 providing several scintillating matchups between direct rivals. 

Round 28 Game Center

### Friday, March 8

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 85-67 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-panathinaikos-bc-vs-ldlc-asvel/)

Panathinaikos registered its third consecutive win in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by topping ASVEL 85-67 at OAKA in Round 28 on Friday. Panathinaikos improved to an 18-10 record while ASVEL dropped to 6-22. Jerian Grant paced the winners with 21 points. Mathias Lessort added 17, Marius Grigonis and Kostas Sloukas each had 14 while Kendrick Nunn got 10 for Panathinaikos. Nando De Colo led ASVEL with 15 points. Joffrey Lauvergne netted 11 and Noam Yaacov had 10 for the guests.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final Score ☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAOBCAKTOR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAOBCAKTOR</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LDLCASVEL</a> 85-67<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/purpleON?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#purpleON</a> <a href="https://t.co/9dz8jO1yh4">pic.twitter.com/9dz8jO1yh4</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1766210749104361619?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 88-71 ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-vs-alba-berlin/)

Baskonia (15-13) eased to an 88-71 home win over ALBA (6-22) and boosted its hopes of making the postseason, after a dominant performance in which Codi Miller-McIntyre stood out with 14 points, 10 assists and 4 rebounds. A balanced team effort saw Chima Moneke pour in 16 points for the home side, Vanja Mainkovic added 15 while Matt Costello racked up 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. At the other end, Matt Thomas and Khalifa Koumadje paced ALBA with 12 points apiece, Elias Rapieque scored 11 in just 5:21 minutes on the court and Yanni Wetzell added 10.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IT´S A WIIIIIINNNNNNNNNN 🔥🔥🔥🔥<br><br>1⃣5⃣✅✅✅<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/mK7IEie1yx">pic.twitter.com/mK7IEie1yx</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1766212221875401013?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 85-83 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-olimpia-milano-vs-kk-partizan/)

Milan kept its postseason hopes alive with a nail-biting 85-83 victory over Partizan thanks to Shabazz Napier’s game-winner with 5 seconds remaining. Shavon Shields starred with 19 points and 6 assists, while Nikola Mirotic also scored 19 and Devon Hall added 18, with game-winner Napier providing 15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Aleksa Avramovic again paced Partizan with 19 points, with Bruno Caboclo adding 13 points and 5 rebounds.

<center>

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### Thursday, March 7

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul 109-86 FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/244/)

Efes grabbed its third win in four games by thrashing Bayern 109-86 at home on Thursday. Both teams now have 12-16 records and Efes earned the tie-break advantage between them, overcoming an 86-71 loss in Munich in Round 15. Shane Larkin paced the winners with 28 points on 6-of-9 three-point shooting. Will Clyburn added 21 points, Ercan Osmani had 11 while Elijah Byrant and Darius Thompson each got 10. Carsen Edwards led Bayern with 19 points. Vladimir Lucic added 18, Serge Ibaka 15 and Leo Bolmaro 10.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Kritik maçta galibiz! 👊<br>Anadolu Efes 109 - 86 Bayern Münih | Maç Sonucu<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/E%C5%9FitlikBirG%C3%BCneS%C4%B1%C4%9Fmaz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EşitlikBirGüneSığmaz</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZJgYeiAKHt">pic.twitter.com/ZJgYeiAKHt</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1765821505882271951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

[AS Monaco 99-75 Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/245/)

Monaco notched its seventh straight win by swatting aside Zvezda 99-75 on a special night for [Mike James, as he surpassed Vassilis Spanoulis to become the EuroLeague’s all-time record scorer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/mike-james-becomes-the-euroleague-all-time-leading-scorer/). Following this victory, Monaco has improved to an 18-10 record while Zvezda dropped to 10-18. James was the leading scorer in the game with 20 points, with Elie Okobo and Donatas Motiejunas both adding 14 for Monaco. Jaron Blossomgame had 12 and Donta Hall 10 in the win. For Zvezda, Luka Mitrovic posted 18 points, Yago Dos Santos 16, Rokas Giedraitis 13 and Joel Bolomboy 12.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🌊 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 🤳😁<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y1CqZAhQJI">pic.twitter.com/Y1CqZAhQJI</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1765851081748144128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 83-76 Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/246/)

Maccabi (15-13) came out on top 83-76 against visiting Zalgiris (11-17) and stayed on course to reach the playoffs after scoring the last 7 points of a game in which the lead had changed hands time and again. Wade Baldwin paced five double-digit Maccabi scorers with 16 points. Tamir Blatt added 11 points while James Webb, Bonzie Colson and Josh Nebo chipped in with 10 each, the latter also racking up 9 rebounds. At the other end, Keenan Evans netted a game-high 18 points for Zalgiris while Edmond Sumner added 14, but his shooting dried up when the chips were down as he sank 12 in the first quarter. Edgaras Ulanovas amassed 10 points for Zalgiris, which committed 16 turnovers while managing as many assists.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The run continues 💪 <a href="https://t.co/xXUZApD4JH">pic.twitter.com/xXUZApD4JH</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1765846504034480432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

[Valencia Basket 78-88 FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-fc-barcelona/E2023/249/)

Barcelona defended its spot in second place in the standings with a hard-fought 78-88 victory at Valencia. Jan Vesely shot a perfect 10-for-10 on two-pointers and hit his sole free throw for 21 points as Barcelona moved to 19-9 and assured itself a top 10 finish which comes with participation, at the very least, in the new Play-In Showdown phase between the regular season and the playoffs. Nikola Kalinic and Nicolas Laprovittola added 13 each and Jabari Parker 12 for the winners. Semi Ojeleye had 19 points and Chris Jones 15 in a loss that drops Valencia's record to 13-15. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨̀𝐫𝐢𝐚 importantíssima a La Fonteta! 👊 <a href="https://t.co/ecbTWbKoJZ">pic.twitter.com/ecbTWbKoJZ</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1765850066969882912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

[Real Madrid 79-89 Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/248/)

Fenerbahce was dominant through the 40 minutes and clinched a well-earned win away at leader Real Madrid. The visitors improved to a 17-11 record, while *Los Blancos* dropped to 22-6 and missed out on the opportunity to become the first EuroLeague team to clinch playoff qualification on Thursday night. Nigel Hayes-Davis recorded a double-double by pairing his 17 points with 12 rebounds, with Scottie Wilbekin and Nick Calathes recording 12 points each. For Real Madrid, Sergio Llull netted 17 points and Walter Tavares registered 14.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Madrid&#39;de Maç Bizim! 💪<br><br>Tebrikler Fenerbahçe Beko! 👏<br><br>Maç Sonucu | <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> 🆚 Fenerbahçe Beko: 79-89<br><br>Skor dağılımımız: Hayes-Davis 17, Calathes 12, Wilbekin 12, Motley 10, Biberovic 10, Guduric 8, Sertaç 7, Dorsey 5, Papagiannis 4, Sestina 2, Noua 2. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/TGOcdSMoNf">pic.twitter.com/TGOcdSMoNf</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1765858718653063395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Olympiacos Piraeus 74-69 Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/247/)

Olympiacos overcame injuries and rallied from a double-digit deficit to beat Virtus on Thursday. Both teams now have a 17-11 record but Olympiacos secured the tie-break advantage between both squads. Kostas Papanikolaou paced the winners with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Isaiah Canaan added 12 points while Moustapha Fall had 11 for Olympiacos. Toko Shengelia led Virtus with 15 points. Daniel Hackett and Marco Belinelli each added 10 for the guests.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The game stats 📊 | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OLYVIR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OLYVIR</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/FL3k6yaJ6P">pic.twitter.com/FL3k6yaJ6P</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1765862594009497982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After consecutive thrilling home wins, fast-rising Partizan bid to make it three in a row against a Milan team longing to bounce back from two straight losses. Energy reserves are to be tested with both fresh from overtime showdowns with Partizan overcoming Monaco, while Milan feel to defeat at Bayern.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | Round 13 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The race for the playoffs is reaching boiling point following another thrilling round of action in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Game Center: Three home wins from three to close Round 28

Real Madrid v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-03-07T19:45:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v FC Barcelona (2024-03-07T19:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-03-07T20:00:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-03-07T19:05:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-03-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v FC Bayern Munich (2024-03-07T17:30:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket big man Jaime Pradilla has renewed his contract at the club until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Jaime Pradilla renews at Valencia Basket until 2027

Valencia Basket big man [Jaime Pradilla](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jaime-pradilla/010393/) has committed his future to the club by signing a two-year extension to his contract, meaning his new deal expires at the end of the 2026-27 season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡NO VAS A CREER lo que Pradilla tiene que enseñarte! 👀 <a href="https://t.co/i0a1FLIqKM">pic.twitter.com/i0a1FLIqKM</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1766131934604780006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The 23-year-old Pradilla, who has been at Valencia since 2020, has averaged 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 12:16 minutes per game this season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. This is his third campaign in Europe's premier club basketball competition, having made 17 appearances in 2020-21, 30 in 2022-23 and, so far, 25 in 2023-24.

Pradilla has had to wait patiently for opportunities at Valencia, with the likes of Brandon Davies, Boubacar Toure and Semi Ojeleye all ahead of him in the pecking order, but this renewal signals the club's commitment to his future.

"I am very happy due to the confidence that the club gives me, that all the people give me every day," said Pradilla after renewing. "I am happy to be able to continue at this great club and in this great city which gives me all its support every day".

The best plays of Valencia Basket big man Jaime Pradilla in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Pradilla's top plays this season

A gold medal winner with Spain at EuroBasket 2022, Pradilla is one of the most promising Spanish players and is regularly called up to represent *La Roja*.

More Valencia News

Jaime Pradilla dunks in a game for Valencia Basket in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The young Spaniard has extended his contract by a further two years

Jaime Pradilla renews at Valencia until 2027

Thursday's victory made Fenerbahce the first team to beat Real twice this season.

Road win in Madrid provided Fenerbahce with confidence boost as playoff battle intensifies

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul came into the game against Real Madrid holding a poor record on the road. The Turkish side had managed just four victories in 14 games away from home and it was their dominance at the Ulker Sports And Event Hall that allowed them to be in playoff contention. In fact, no team has recorded fewer home defeats than Fenerbahce, which boasts a 12-1 record in Turkey.

Chus Mateo praised the confidence of Fenerbahce’s players before the game, but Sarunas Jasikevicius was aware that a victory away at the defending champion could serve as a turning point this season. Fenerbahce is the only Turkish Airlines EuroLeague side to have swept Real Madrid [after it beat Los Blancos 79-89 on Thursday night](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/248/) after also becoming the first team to down Los Blancos this season by grabbing a Round 11 overtime victory at home. 

“It’s very important for us to go to the opposing team's courts and get the road games,” Jasikevicius said at the post-game press conference. “We hadn’t been a really good road team and I think this is a huge step in a good direction. For the majority of the game, we stuck to our game plan and we executed well.”

Fenerbahce hit the ground running at the WiZink center and imposed its game on Real Madrid from the get-go. Its confidence on offense, coupled with solid defense, frustrated the hosts who looked unable to respond. Fenerbahce’s 17 offensive rebounds dealt a major blow to Real Madrid’s morale, while the Turkish side’s ability to find points from 11 of the 12 players who stepped on the floor showed that Jasikevicius’s plan worked to perfection.

Hayes-Davis, Calathes post-game interviews

“We had a solid game plan,” said Nigel Hayes-Davis, who registered a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. “Credit to the guys. I think we have the right mix of guys to be able to compete with what \[Real Madrid\] like to do defensively. We had extreme discipline. It was a very important game for us, as every EuroLeague game is.”

The battle for a playoff spot has intensified with just six rounds remaining. Boasting a 17-11 record, Fenerbahce is currently tied with Olympiacos Piraeus and Virtus Segafredo Bologna. All three sides are pushing for a top-four spot that would allow them to clinch home-court advantage. Fenerbahce holds the head-to-head advantage over the Italian side, but it will have to travel to Greece to face Olympiacos in the last game of the season. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens is 17-10 with one game in hand, sitting below AS Monaco (18-10), FC Barcelona (19-9) and leader Real Madrid (22-6). 

“It’s hard not to look \[at the standings\], but we want to take each game at a time, try to play the best basketball and be in the best shape at the playoffs,” said Nick Calathes, who ended the game with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

With their confidence sky-high after grabbing a statement win in Madrid, Fenerbahce will host Valencia Basket next week. Then, in the last double-round week of the Regular Season, it will face FC Barcelona in Turkey before traveling to Italy to take on EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. On Thursday night, Fenerbahce proved that it has what it takes to win at any court and this is key for a team that wants to succeed in the demanding EuroLeague playoffs.

Mike James became the all-time leading scorer in EuroLeague history on Thursday. Here's how it happened and what lies ahead.

Mike James and a historic night: How it unfolded and what’s next

Everybody had been talking about it for so long, yet when [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) put AS Monaco 38-31 ahead against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade to [become the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/mike-james-becomes-the-euroleague-all-time-leading-scorer/), everybody inside Salle Gaston Medecin collectively came together to recognize one of the best players in competition history.

With that make, James moved to 4,457 points – 2 clear of Olympiacos Piraeus legend Vassilis Spanoulis. The American had actually tied the Greek’s total of 4,455 with a couple of free throws and one had to wonder if he would break the record from the free-throw line.

Instead, what we got was a shot straight out of the Spanoulis and James handbook: a right side-step jumper. It is a move that Spanoulis made famous and one that James himself told Basket News that he’d added to his arsenal after seeing its success. We have seen the 33-year-old make that shot time and time again over the years, but it felt rather poignant that it is also a shot we associate with Spanoulis. A passing of the torch, if you will.

After Mike James became the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's all-time leading scorer, the game between AS Monaco and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade was temporarily paused.

Game paused to honor Mike James

### How James’s night unfolded

All eyes were on James right from tipoff and, needing 12 points to surpass Spanoulis coming into the contest, it didn’t take long for him to trim that gap. With 7:24 remaining in the first quarter, the Monaco star used his speed to get away from Branko Lazic before being fouled by the Zvezda guard as he got his shot up. Not only did James’s shot fall but he also converted the and-one free throw. Now he needed just 9 more points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">-9 <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNatural_05?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheNatural_05</a> <a href="https://t.co/b4a0GZzuTN">pic.twitter.com/b4a0GZzuTN</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1765801283984773355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It felt like everything was geared up for James to get his business done early, but a couple of shots hit the rim and came back out. Then, with 3:54 to go in the first, a couple of made free throws cut the required distance to 7.

Disaster almost struck shortly after, though, as James came up limping as he looked to stop on a dime. There were 3:07 minutes on the clock at that point and, clearly affected by a left ankle issue, he withdrew to the bench with 2:36 to go. Understandably, there was a sense of fear among the Monaco fans, not only that he may not reach the record on Thursday night but that this injury could affect the team’s chances moving forward.

Well, with 8:47 remaining in the second, James reentered the game. Twenty seconds later, he drained a floater after stepping in from the three-point line. Now he needed 5 more points.

He would further reduce that to 3 points after another make, this time after forcing Adam Hanga to backtrack before pulling up and scoring with 7:37 to go. And with 6:40 left on the clock, James tied Spanoulis’s record with a pair of made free throws. That gave him plenty of time to get the job done in the remainder of the contest.

It took James another 2 minutes and 47 seconds, but he finally made history with the aforementioned right side-step jumper from mid-range. That led to a pause in the game as James soaked in all of the love and affection. However, in the post-game press conference, he revealed that he was still in game mode when that stoppage occurred.

“I was just so focused on making sure we won because I didn’t want to break the record and then we lose, then it’s kind of a weird feeling,” James commented. “It’s like, ‘Can he really be happy?’ So I was just more focused on the win, to be honest. I was trying to make sure the attention on me breaking the record didn’t distract us from focusing on what really mattered. Just happy we got the win and now we can go and celebrate.”

The best plays of Mike James during AS Monaco's win against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in Round 28 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Mike James highlights vs. Zvezda

James ended up scoring another 7 points, all in the fourth quarter, to finish with 20 points in a 98-80 triumph, Monaco’s seventh in a row. On a night in which he went atop the mountain in terms of scoring, it was rather fitting that he would also finish as the game’s leading scorer.

The Monaco fans made sure that the Mike James love-fest continued long after he’d broken the record, too, as they chanted his name with 1:20 left in the game after he made his way to the bench for the final time with the hosts 98-76 ahead. It didn’t stop there, though, as they kept chanting his name until the final buzzer sounded.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📣 Standing ovation pour MJ sur cette fin de match 🙌<br><br>🗣MIKE JAMES 🗣MIKE JAMES 🔊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/pVlfJGGQd0">pic.twitter.com/pVlfJGGQd0</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1765830016254845406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### What’s next for Mike James?

James is still at the very top of his game and it doesn’t look like he’s going to slow down any time soon. So, after reaching this milestone of becoming the EuroLeague’s most prolific scorer, what’s next?

The answer is short and sweet: winning a title. James is one of the best-ever players to have not won a EuroLeague title and given Monaco is in the midst of a seven-game winning streak that has seen it catapult up the standings, it’s not unreasonable to think that he’s got a good shot this year.

After all, having guided Monaco to its first-ever playoff appearance in 2021-22, then its first-ever Final Four in 2022-23, the trajectory suggests a first-ever title in 2023-24. But, obviously, it’s not as easy as that, even if that is the goal for James and co.

“Clinching the playoffs and then, you know, trying to get to the Final Four and trying to win a championship,” he noted in the post-game press conference. “That’s been our goal all year. We went to the Final Four and didn’t get a chance to compete for a championship. I think we all want a shot at it.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝐏𝐎𝐕 : 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 😮‍💨<br>#️⃣5️⃣5️⃣<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/RJohRjgTjJ">pic.twitter.com/RJohRjgTjJ</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1765856676983214556?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The question therefore begs: would James switch his status as the competition’s all-time leading scorer if it meant winning a EuroLeague title?

“I don’t know. I would appreciate a EuroLeague title, for sure, but it’s hard to say, honestly. A lot of people win EuroLeague titles, but there’s only one top scorer, so selfishly I kind of want both.”

Given everything that James has done in his EuroLeague career and the joy he has brought many people, including this writer, with his play on the court, a EuroLeague title – and a first MVP award – would be very much deserved. This special season by James certainly has a few more chapters to be written.

More Mike James News

Mike James celebrates after a night in which he made history during AS Monaco's win against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

It was a perfect evening for the AS Monaco guard