A big matchup with a playoff feel will see fourth host sixth as Panathinaikos (15-10) welcomes Fenerbahce (15-10). 

Preview: Panathinaikos B.C. vs. Fenerbahçe Beko

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/233/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs26-game-facts-pan-ulk/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs26-game-notes-pan-ulk/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs26-prequotes-pan-ulk/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-26/)

The Turkish team claimed a commanding victory when the teams met in Round 3, with 15 points from [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) leading the way to an 83-69 success. He and the red-hot [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/), who has five consecutive games of double-digit scoring, will look to give Fenerbahce the physical edge against a Panathinaikos team eager to bounce back from last week's loss at Zalgiris. The Greens have won five straight in Athens and will be able to count upon an electric atmosphere that will also be enlivened by two of the league's most demonstrative coaches, Ergin Ataman and Sarunas Jasikevicius.

[Panathinaikos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/statistics/pan/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Fenerbahce Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/statistics/ulk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Mathias Lessort vs. Johnathan Motley: Two dominant big men come head-to-head at OAKA.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul bounced back after last week's narrow defeat at Valencia Basket by grabbing a well-deserved 83-69 victory over Panathinaikos Athens in Round 3 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season. 

Last game: Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul-Panathinaikos Athens | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Excitement guaranteed when Panathinaikos, Fenerbahce face off

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-02-09T19:15:00.000Z)

After grabbing two great home wins last week, Zalgiris Kaunas (10-15) will try to keep moving up the standings with a trip to direct rival KK Crvena zvezda (10-15).

Preview: KK Crvena zvezda vs. Zalgiris Kaunas

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/231/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs26-game-facts-red-zal/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs26-game-notes-red-zal/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs26-prequotes-red-zal/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-26/)

The visitors will be wary of the shooting threat posed by [Nemanja Nedovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nemanja-nedovic/000848/), who netted 27 and 21 points in last week's two games, helping to beat Valencia, but not enough to overcome Barcelona. Zalgiris can rely on the inside presence of [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/), who has averaged 14.3 points in the last four games. [Rolands Smits](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rolands-smits/007109/) was the key man in the Round 2 meeting between the teams, netting 18 points with 7 rebounds to set up a 79-74 Zalgiris victory.

[Zvezda Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/statistics/red/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Zalgiris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/statistics/zal/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Milos Teodosic vs. Keenan Evans: A wily veteran and an on-fire sharpshooter face off in Belgrade.

Zalgiris Kaunas remains undefeated in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season after downing Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 79-74 in front of a sellout crowd at Zalgirio Arena. 

Last game: Zalgiris Kaunas-Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | Round 2 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

After grabbing two great home wins last week, Zalgiris (10-15) will try to keep moving up the standings with a trip to direct rival Zvezda (10-15).

Crvena Zvezda, Zalgiris have their sights on the play-in

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-02-09T19:00:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan used an extraordinary first half to down Real Madrid 81-76 at the Forum in Round 26. When Milan came back, its two main pillars in offense lived up to the expectations. 


Telling numbers: Milan's first half is critical 

Milan trailed 10-17 midway through the first quarter. Up to that point, Milan had made 2 of 4 two-pointers and 2 of 6 three-pointers without getting to the foul line, plus 3 assists and 2 turnovers. Real Madrid had been much more effective, making 3 of 4 two-pointers and 2 of 3 three-pointers with 5 assists and 0 turnovers.

Then Shavon Shields rescued the hosts, first with a step-back jumper and then with a three-point play. It was the start of a mammoth 26-2 run in which Nikola Mirotic took center stage. He came off the bench and immediately delivered, making 4 of 4 three-pointers and getting 14 of those points. By the time Maodo Lo struck from downtown, Milan led 36-19 and had been in one of the biggest runs in EuroLeague history.

By halftime, Milan had grabbed twice as many rebounds as its opponents, 26-13. The hosts pulled down 11 offensive rebounds and only allowed Real to get 5 of those. In the final 14 minutes of the first half, Real made just 1 of 9 two-pointers (11.1% 2FG) and 2 of 11 three-pointers (18.2% 3FG), getting just 4 assists against 7 turnovers. Milan buried 6 of 9 three-pointers (66.7% 3FG) in those minutes, leading to a 48-29 margin at the break.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan edged Real Madrid 81-76 in Round 26, and went on a 26-2 run, from 10-17 to 36-19!

Milan's 26-2 run against Real

"I said nothing \[at the break\] because the less I talk, the better it is," Coach Messina said at halftime. "We just need to continue to play with the same intensity on both ends: move the ball fast but more important, defend like we did in the first 20 minutes."

Milan ended up outrebounding Real 40-31, finishing the game with a lower PIR (84) than its opponent (85) despite leading 60-24 in that category at halftime. Mirotic made a critical turnaround jumper with 2:30 left and Shields put the victory on ice with free throws with 19.8 seconds remaining. The two players combined for 50 points against Real.

"The team played very, very well in the first half. In the second half, we limited the damage in the third quarter, because on the other side, we had the EuroLeague champions. Then in the fourth quarter I think we were tired and didn't take so many good decisions, but we had very good defense in the last 3-4 minutes," Coach Messina said after the game. "We always created very good situations defensively and on offense, we made free throws and a couple of big plays on the break. I am very happy for the players, they deserved a win like this."

Game Videos

Game News

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan used an extraordinary first half to defeat Real Madrid 81-76 at the Forum in Round 26. 


Milan's first half was critical to beat Real Madrid

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Real Madrid (2024-02-08T19:30:00.000Z)

Sylvain Francisco became the hero as FC Bayern Basketball defeated KK Partizan in Round 26 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Sylvain Francisco stepped up big in second half to shock Partizan

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade’s defense did a great job containing [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) for 27 minutes. After all, the FC Bayern Munich guard had not managed to net a single field goal, having recorded just 1 point with 02:48 left on the clock in the third quarter.

One second later, Francisco would hit his first triple of the night, but it wouldn’t be his last.

“It was really tough, especially with this atmosphere,” Francisco said in the flash interview after the game. “I was trying to find the right balance. I was really quiet in the first half, but in the second half every time they gave me a little opportunity, I took this opportunity.”

Sylvain Francisco stepped up big for FC Bayern Munich on the road at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, including hitting the game-winning shot.

Francisco's best shots vs. Partizan

### He helped swing the momentum

Before hitting that shot, Partizan was up by 61-51. Yet, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague rookie would go on to make a couple of free throws before drilling another shot from deep to cut the difference to 63-59 heading into the closing quarter.

Then, the two teams’ defenses tightened up and they went scoreless for the first 2:30 minutes of the fourth quarter. In fact, Partizan and Bayern had scored just 3 points each with 6 minutes remaining, but when it mattered most, veteran [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) and Francisco combined for 17 points [to lead Bayern to a 78-79 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-kk-partizan-vs-fc-bayern-basketball/).

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT. A. GAME. 🥵 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PARBAY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PARBAY</a> <a href="https://t.co/PvtpNuxkxo">pic.twitter.com/PvtpNuxkxo</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1755710347141378335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ibaka ended up netting 6 of his 14 points in the last quarter while Francisco added 11 points to stun the hosts.

### Becoming the hero

Following a missed [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) triple with the score at 78-76 and 19 seconds to go, [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) collected the defensive rebound and handed the ball to the safe hands of Francisco.

“To be honest, I wanted to drive to get it overtime first, but \[Partizan center [Frank\] Kaminsky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/frank-kaminsky/012743/) anticipated my drives so as soon as he flipped his hips, that’s when I came back for a step-back \[triple\] and I shot the ball,” Francisco explained. “I was like: ‘It’s either going in, or if it’s not going in, at least I shot it’. I don’t regret anything.”

Sylvain Francisco's post-game interview vs. Partizan

Francisco's post-game interview vs. Partizan

And with that make, Francisco silenced the Stark Arena crowd and inspired scenes of the Bayern players celebrating ecstatically on the floor. Punter, who ended the game on 22 points, managed to get an open look with 1 second left on the clock, but he missed and Bayern sealed its fourth road victory of the season to improve to an 11-15 record.

Most importantly, the German side bounced back from last week’s home defeat to Olympiacos Piraeus and proved that in Francisco it has a clutch player that can hit winning shots – just like the one he drilled in Belgrade on Thursday night.

More Bayern News

Sylvain Francisco is embraced by FC Bayern Munich teammate Dino Radoncic after their team's win against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Frenchman first helped Bayern stay in the game, before becoming the hero in the final seconds.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v FC Bayern Munich (2024-02-08T19:30:00.000Z)

a stellar second-half defensive effort earned Olympiacos Piraeus a 65-78 road win that not only provided a two-game margin over Valencia, but also secured the head-to-head advantage between the teams. 

Defensive domination delivered key win for Olympiacos 

With two defensively strong teams going toe to toe in a key matchup, it was no surprise that the resulting tussle wasn’t particularly pretty. In fact, at times, it was downright ugly if you’re looking for fast and free-flowing offensive basketball. 

But for Olympiacos, the outcome was nothing short of beautiful as a stellar second-half defensive effort earned a 65-78 road win that not only provided a two-game margin over Valencia, but also secured the head-to-head advantage between the teams.

Coach Georgios Bartzokas had no doubt about the main reason for the victory, saying: “Our defense in the third quarter was really solid. They only scored 9 points and this was the key of the game. 

“We expected Valencia to respond and adjust, and they did, but our defense was solid and especially versus \[Chris\] Jones, who we kept to 2 points. We believed before the game that he was the key player.”

Another important element was the rebounding battle, as Olympiacos took advantage of Valencia’s lack of big bodies – with centers Brandon Davies and Boubacar Toure both injured – to take 36 rebounds against just 30 for the host.

Alec Peters led the way with a new personal best 11 boards and afterward commented: “They were missing some key players, most of them are 5s or 4s, so that was a point of emphasis, especially with Moustapha \[Fall\] back for this game and Moses \[Wright\] coming along pretty well since joining the team. 

“So it was huge for us to make sure we were living in the paint today and we did a good job. Sometimes it’s my scoring that can help the team win, sometimes it’s rebounding. Those are two things I try to pride myself on and bring to the team, and tonight happened to be a good night.”

The Reds also provided enough offense to ensure that defensive effort wasn’t wasted, with Isaiah Canaan delivering 16 points and Thomas Walkup celebrating his 200th appearance in the competition by providing 7 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.

Shaq McKissic (10 points), Moses Wright (10) and Nigel Williams-Goss (9) also contributed significantly to a win that shows Olympiacos is collectively very much heading in the right direction.

And Bartzokas reacted to his team’s all-around strong performance by sounding a warning for the rest of the league as he concluded: “If we are in step, we’re going to be a very difficult opponent for any team.”

The pressure was on as Valencia Basket hosted Olympiacos Piraeus in a meeting of direct rivals at La Fonteta on Thursday night. 

Valencia Basket v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-02-08T19:30:00.000Z)

Sylvain Francisco's game-winning triple saw KK Partizan beat FC Bayern Basketball 78-79 in Round 26 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Sylvain Francisco stuns Partizan as Bayern grabs 78-79 road win

<incrowd-live-blog id="65c48bc08c3acca28c0c4844" client-id="EUROLEAGUE" server="standard"></incrowd-live-blog><script src="https://live-blog.incrowdsports.com/index.js"></script>

Sylvain Francisco of FC Bayern Munich shoots a three-pointer over the arm of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's Frank Kaminsky in Round 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Frenchman showed that he had no fear by not only taking the final shot, but hitting a step-back triple.

In a high-scoring Round 26 battle, Anadolu Efes Istanbul topped Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 105-91 in Riga, Latvia. Efes took advantage of a career-best effort from one of its players coming off the bench to take this important win. 


Osmani is Efes's X-factor in Riga 

In a high-scoring Round 26 battle, Anadolu Efes Istanbul topped Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 105-91 in Riga, Latvia. Efes took advantage of a career-best effort from one of its players coming off the bench to take this important win. 

Efes was without its two most recently signed big men, Dan Oturu and Mike Daum, so Ercan Osmani had an opportunity to see extended playing time and made the most out of it. Osmani stepped on the floor for the first time early in the second quarter and made things happen with 5 rebounds before halftime. Osmani added a put-back layup and a three-pointer to help Efes stay within 50-51 at halftime.

Osmani sat out in the third quarter and returned to action at the start of the fourth period. He found space for an uncontested layup, and soon added a jump hook in the lane and a backdoor basket to boost Efes's lead to 85-78, forcing Maccabi to call a much-needed timeout. He added a pair of free throws late in the game to round out a great individual performance.

Ercan Osmani of Anadolu Efes Istanbul finished the game with career-highs of 13 points, 7 rebounds and a PIR of 20. Before this game, he averaged 1.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and a PIR of 1.0 this season.

Osmani led Efes past Maccabi

Osmani finished the game with career-highs of 13 points, 7 rebounds and a PIR of 20. Before this game, he averaged 1.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and a PIR of 1.0 this season. Osmani only missed one shot against Maccabi, hitting 4 of 5 two-pointers, his only three-pointer and 2 foul shots.

"Now, I am a little bit tired because it has been a long time that I don't play like that," Osmani joked after the game. "First of all, I want to thank the fans to coming here and supporting us. I tried to help my team get the win. We were a little bit bad on defense. We need to improve more, I think, but managed to play well on offense and took the game."

Efes is 2-0 since longtime assistant Tomislav Mijatovic was promoted to the head coaching spot. Osmani proved that with a new coach come new opportunities, and that Efes's bench might be deeper that most people think despite its many injuries throughout the season. Only Shane Larkin and Darius Thompson have been able to play in all 26 EuroLeague games this season.

The 25-year-old big man enjoyed personal bests in points, rebounds and index rating. 

Ercan Osmani was Efes's X-factor in Riga 

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-02-08T17:30:00.000Z)

Codi Miller-McIntyre made history as Saski Baskonia beat LDLC ASVEL 94-80 in Round 26 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Miller-McIntyre makes history as Saski Baskonia beats LDLC ASVEL 94-80

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Codi Miller-McIntyre of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz celebrates against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The point guard made history in Round 26.

Miller-McIntyre has a night to remember as Baskonia beats ASVEL 94-80

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-02-08T19:30:00.000Z)

History was made in northern Spain as Codi Miller-McIntyre broke the EuroLeague single-game record with 20 assists in Baskonia’s 94-80 victory over LDLC ASVEL on Thursday night. The Baskonia point guard also registered the fourth triple-double in EuroLeague history.

Codi Miller-McIntyre makes history with assist record, triple-double 

History was made in northern Spain as [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) broke the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague single-game record with 20 assists in [Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz’s 94-80 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-saski-baskonia-vs-ldlc-asvel/) on Thursday night. The Baskonia point guard also registered the fourth triple-double in EuroLeague history.

“I’m excited we got the win. My teammates did a great job making shots, they did the hard part. I’m thankful for them, I’m thankful for coach for believing in me. And I am excited to keep going,” said Miller-McIntyre, whose 20 assists snapped the previous mark of 19 shared by Nick Calathes and Facundo Campazzo.

He also set the competition record for most assists in a half with a dozen dimes in the first half.

Miller-McIntyre makes history with assist record, triple-double!

### Making history in style

The 29-year-old Miller-McIntyre said breaking the record was special.

“It means a lot, especially for me. I have heard a lot of rumors and people accusing me of not being a point guard. My teammates believed in me tonight. I hope now people can see that that’s my natural position,” said Miller-McIntyre, who eclipsed his previous best of 15 assists.

Miller-McIntrye broke the record in spectacular fashion, throwing up an alley-oop for Chima Moneke with 2:17 minutes left in the game.

Miller-McIntyre already had 11 rebounds at that point and was only missing the points for a triple double. He made 2 free throws to get to 9 points with 109 seconds to play and returned to the foul line with 79 seconds left for 2 more foul shots. He made the first free throw to send the Buesa Arena crowd into a frenzy.

Miller-McIntyre was subbed out after the free throws with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 20 assists for an index rating of 42. It was the fourth triple-double in EuroLeague history.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">History!!!!!!!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/CMMPatience?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMMPatience</a> <a href="https://t.co/VZEYSWBmaF">pic.twitter.com/VZEYSWBmaF</a></p>&mdash; Chima Moneke (@Chimdogg_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chimdogg_/status/1755701271032435029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Yeah, I am excited I got it. But my teammates really helped me. They told me to keep going when I got tired. Thank you to them,” said Miller-McIntyre.

Nikola Vujcic twice did it with Maccabi Tel Aviv. The big man collected 11 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in 2005-06 against Prokom Trefl and followed that with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 2006-07 versus Olimpija Ljubljana.

The most recent triple-double went to Nick Calathes, who picked up 11 points, 12 rebounds and 18 assists for Panathinaikos in 2018-19 against Buducnost.

“That goes to show the type of player that he is — unselfish, does whatever it takes for the team to win. He’s unbelievable,” said Markus Howard, who scored 18 points to lead Baskonia in scoring. “Tonight was one of the best performances I have seen. And I am fortunate to have a guy like him on my team and not have to play against him.”

More Baskonia News

The Baskonia playmaker authored one of the most impressive performances in competiton history. 