Mathias Lessort has always had stature, but now he has also status in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as one of the best in his position. Eurohoops explains how the 28-year-old French center of Panathinaikos made this happen.

Mathias Lessort, Panathinaikos: Walking tall

Imagine an island between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, full of greenery and above all full of hospitable and hardworking residents. Imagine a family whose father has played as a goalkeeper and whose carefree children kick around a soccer ball on the field.

Now imagine one of those kids years later, on another continent, in another sport, with a little more height and plenty of stature, and imagine him as one of the top centers in Europe’s top basketball competition.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1639450/mathias-lessort-panathinaikos-walking-tall/)

After winning three of its last four, FC Bayern Munich (12-15) will attempt to maintain its postseason challenge with a testing trip to unpredictable direct rival Anadolu Efes Istanbul (11-16). 

https://bridge.incrowdsports.com/content/content-form/626866ed-ec77-4a2c-890e-d655b2597812

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/244/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-ist-mun/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-ist-mun/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-ist-mun/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

These teams' strengths lie in different areas, with the Efes relying on star guard [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/), who memorably scored 49 points against Bayern in 2019. The German team, on the other hand, will look to dominate the frontcourt through the duo of [Devin Booker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devin-booker/007056/) and [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/), who combined for 34 points and 14 rebounds in last week's win over Zvezda. Bayern also possesses long-range shooting threats like [Andreas Obst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andreas-obst/004508/), who netted 17 points in a 86-71 home win over Efes in Round 15.

[Efes Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/statistics/ist/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Bayern Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/statistics/mun/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Tyrique Jones vs. Devin Booker: Two like-minded centers will battle above the rim on Thursday.

Bayern has won three in a row on their homecourt and try to maintain their fortress through the prowess of Serge Ibaka, who leads the league in blocked shots. Meanwhile, injury-hit Efes are lifted by newcomer Mike Daum, who's averaged 13.8 points on 52.6% three-point shooting in his four appearances.

FC Bayern Munich-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | Round 15 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Efes, Bayern tussle over much-needed win

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

Red-hot AS Monaco (17-10) will look to make it seven straight wins with a visit from Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (10-17), which is falling away from top-ten contention after losing five of the last six.

 James aims for record as streaking Monaco hosts Zvezda 

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/245/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-mco-red/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-mco-red/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-mco-redn/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

All eyes will be on Monaco ace [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), who needs just 12 points to overtake Vassilis Spanoulis as the competition's all-time leading scorer. James made the difference when the teams met in Round 3, with his double-double of 18 points and 11 assists helping to overcome 20 points from [Rokas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rokas-giedraitis/006436/) to secure a 76-82 road win for Monaco. Zvezda big men [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) and [LukaMitrovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luka-mitrovic/002553/) will also have to battle in the paint to control [Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donta-hall/011196/) and [Donatas Moteijunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/), who each played a big role in Monaco's epic win at Barcelona last week.

[Monaco Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/statistics/mco/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Zvezda Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/statistics/red/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Mike James vs. Nemanja Nedovic: These super-quick scoring guards will duel for points on Thursday.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-AS Monaco | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

James aims for record as streaking Monaco hosts Zvezda

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

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (14-13) will look to solidify its position in the top ten and establish a four-game lead over visiting Zalgiris Kaunas (11-16). 

Maccabi looks to sweep visiting Zalgiris

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/246/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-tel-zal/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-tel-zal/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-tel-zal/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

After scoring at least 16 points in eight consecutive games, [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) will again attempt to lead the Maccabi offense against an equally inspirational [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/), who scored 18 in last week's loss to Olympiacos. Maccabi boasts the league's second-best offense, at 87.1 points per game, but leaned on excellent defense to secure a 70-78 road win in Kaunas in December. That was unusual because overall Maccabi ranks next-to-worst defensively, allowing 87.8 points per game, so Zalgiris will hope Evans and versatile power forward [Rolands Smits](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rolands-smits/007109/) can step up to take a much-needed road triumph.

[Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Zalgiris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/statistics/zal/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Wade Baldwin vs. Keenan Evans: Two of the hottest performers in the EuroLeague square off on Thursday.

Zalgiris wish to restore winning-ways and are expected to turn to backcourt star and former Maccabi player Keenan Evans for a focal point, whereas the visitors may lean on Lorenzo Brown to repeat his high standards of 14.8 ppg and should be welcoming back team captain John DiBartolomeo to the squad.

Zalgiris Kaunas-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 17 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

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

A Spanish derby with plenty of significance in the race for the playoffs sees Valencia Basket (13-14) welcome an FC Barcelona (18-9) team that will play five of its last seven games on the road.

Valencia, Barcelona vie in regional derby

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-fc-barcelona/E2023/249/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-val-bar/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-val-bar/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-val-bar/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

Last week's loss in Bologna again showed Valencia's tendency to be over-reliant on playmaker [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/), whose 20 points made him the only Taronjas player to score in double digits. The host certainly needs a big contribution from former Barca center [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/) as he confronts [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/). Vesely was the decisive force, scoring 17 points, as his team edged Valencia 74-70 earlier in the season, and he was also Barca's best player in last week's home loss to Monaco.

[Valencia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/statistics/pam/?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)

Brandon Davies vs. Jan Vesely: A pair of veteran centers will anchor their teams in the paint on Thursday.

FC Barcelona-Valencia Basket | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

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

After losing its 100% home record with last week's setback against Panathinaikos, league leader Real Madrid (22-5) faces a familiar foe as Sarunas Jasikevicius brings his dangerous Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (16-11) to the WiZink Center.

Real angles for playoff qualification against visiting Fenerbahce

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/248/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-mad-ulk/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-mad-ulk/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-mad-ulk/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

Real will guarantee qualification for the playoffs with a win, but faces the first team it lost to this season, with Fener taking that overtime tussle 100-99 thanks to 21 points from [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) in Round 11. The Turkish team's offense was working to perfection in last week's record win over Baskonia, with [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) dishing 12 of the team's 32 assists. Real will look for [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) to dominate the backcourt both with and without the ball in this heavyweight matchup.

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

Dzanan Musa vs. Marko Guduric: Two savvy perimeter threats will take each other on Thursday.

After sweeping aside Maccabi, 70-99, Real continues its own double-round week by travelling to a Fenerbahce team that has won all four games at home so far this season. Expect a physical affair featuring the top three shot blockers, which are Walter Tavares, Vincent Poirier and Georgios Papagiannis.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul-Real Madrid | Round 11 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

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

Another meeting of direct rivals sees Olympiacos Piraeus (16-11) welcome Virtus Stegafredo Bologna (17-10) as sixth faces fifth. 

 Olympiacos, Virtus stage top-six showdown 

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/247/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-oly-vir/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-oly-vir/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-oly-vir/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

Virtus showed a good collective game to overcome Valencia last week, dishing 23 assists with just 8 turnovers orchestrated by [Alessandro Pajola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alessandro-pajola/006739/) with 6 helpers, and will need a similarly controlled effort to gain a vital road victory. But that won't be easy against an Olympiacos defense marshalled by the outstanding ball-hawking skills of [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/), who powered last week's win at Zalgiris, and the Italian team will also have to find an answer to the shooting prowess of [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/). December's meeting between these teams was a close encounter, taken 69-67 by Virtus after a game-winning shot by former Olympiacos player [Daniel Hackett,](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-hackett/001844/) and this pivotal showdown should be another hard-fought battle.

[Olympiacos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/statistics/oly/?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)

Isaiah Canaan vs. Marco Belinelli: Two stellar shooters will be loaded for scoring on Thursday.

Offensive production is becoming a major issue for Olympiacos, who average 76.4 ppg (third worst in the league) and were held to just 56 in a loss to Valencia. They could be outgunned by Isaia Cordinier, who has made six of his last eight attempts from deep for a Virtus team which ranks second for assists.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna-Olympiacos Piraeus | Round 15 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Olympiacos, Virtus stage top-six showdown

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

Fresh from a morale-boosting win in Madrid, third-placed Panathinaikos Aktor Athens (17-10) will look to keep on rolling by overcoming LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (6-21), which also lifted its spirits by overcoming Milan last week. 

Preview: Panathinaikos Aktor Athens vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/251/#roster) | [Facts ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-pan-asv/)| [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-pan-asv/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-pan-asv/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

We can look forward to a classic backcourt tussle between Greens leader [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) and ASVEL veteran [Nando de Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/), who returned from injury to net 13 points in the win over Milan. The French team will also have to handle powerhouse [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) after his MVP-worthy exploits in Madrid. His fellow French center, [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/), will look to counteract Lessort by repeating his double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds) from the Greens' 81-89 victory between the teams in December.

[Panathinaikos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/statistics/pan/?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)

Kostas Sloukas vs. Nando De Colo: A pair of EuroLeague legends will cross paths on Friday.

ASVEL playmaker Paris Lee, who's averaged 6.8 assists in the last four, tries to dominate the backcourt against the team he represented in 22/23. Meanwhile, the Greens hope Kendrick Nunn continues his excellent form after scoring 19, 13 and 24 points in the last three to boost their playoff-ambitions.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | Round 14 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Panathinaikos aims to hold serve against ASVEL

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

Playoffs-chasing Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (14-13) will look for home comforts against an ALBA Berlin team (5-22) that has only won once on the road all season. 

Baskonia seeks to defend its home vs. ALBA

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-alba-berlin/E2023/252/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-bas-ber/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-bas-ber/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-bas-ber/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

Both teams need to improve defensively, after ALBA allowed 106 points against Maccabi last week while Baskonia fared even worse, conceding 111 at Fenerbahce. The Spanish team's backcourt dynamo, [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/), top-scored with 17 points in an 86-91 victory in Berlin in Round 2. That was also helped by 13 rebounds from [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/), who returned from injury in last week's loss at Fenerbahce. He will now look to regain his top form and combine with [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) to overcome the challenge of ALBA big man [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/) and give his team the physical edge at Buesa Arena.

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

Chima Moneke vs. Johannes Thiemann: Two stylistically different big men will have a say underneath on Friday.

ALBA Berlin-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 2 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

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