The new year begins with a bang with Rounds 18 and 19 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague being played out on during the first week of January. It is the beginning of a pivotal period in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge where the best managers could separate themselves from the pack, just as the elite teams on the court will be aiming to do. Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs, co-hosts of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, have all the lowdown on what to look for this week in Episode No. 16.

Fantasy Challenge Podcast: Entering a pivotal period

The new year begins with a bang with Rounds 18 and 19 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague being played out on during the first week of January. It is the beginning of a pivotal period in the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) where the best managers could separate themselves from the pack, just as the elite teams on the court will be aiming to do. Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs, co-hosts of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, have all the lowdown on what to look for this week in Episode No. 16.

Gancedo and Sachs name their fantasy MVPs for the first half of the regular season, discuss which mid-season transfers they like the most, which players to target from the ‘Clasico’ and which teams have the best and toughest schedules this week. There is no better address for top EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge analysis, so listen up!

The Saras Jasikevicius era at Fenerbahçe Beko has got off to the perfect start, with the club going 4-0 in the EuroLeague under the Lithuanian head coach.

Saras Jasikevicius appointment is already paying dividends for Fenerbahçe Beko

There was a collective gasp among the European basketball community when [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul chose to part ways with head coach Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-beko-parts-ways-with-dimitris-itoudis/) on December 13. [Saras Jasikevicius was named as his successor one day later](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-names-sarunas-jasikevicius-head-coach-through-2026/), and since then Fenerbahce has gone a perfect 4-0. So far, so good, you could say.

The last of those wins came on Thursday evening, as the Jasikevicius-led Fenerbahce leaned on a late surge [to defeat cross-town rival Anadolu Efes Istanbul 84-89](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-anadolu-efes-sk-vs-fenerbahce-beko/) in the Istanbul derby. That win was impressive in itself, as derby victories always are, but notably it improved Fenerbahce to a 10-7 record and saw it rise to fifth in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings.

The Turkish capital comes to a standstill for a highly-anticipated derby and the first on the European stage.for the 23/24 season. Efes look to bounce back from a loss to Baskonia despite 23 points from Shane Larkin, whilst Fenerbahce remain unbeaten under the stewardship of Sarunas Jasikevicius.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Round 17 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Even more notable is the fact that Fenerbahce has now won back-to-back games on the road, [having defeated ALBA Berlin 82-91](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-alba-berlin-vs-fenerbahce-beko/) in Jasikevicius’s third game in charge. As surprising as the dismissal was of Coach Itoudis, with Fenerbahce having gone a perfect 5-0 at home, which included [a memorable 100-99 overtime triumph against the previously unbeaten Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-fenerbahce-basketball-vs-real-madrid/), the Turkish side was a dismal 1-7 on the road under the Greek tactician. A real Jekyll and Hyde sort of team.

### Jasikevicius has brought consistency

What Jasikevicius has been able to achieve in his brief time back at the club he briefly played for in the 2010-11 season is bring a bit of consistency. For example, following Fenerbahce’s win against Real under Coach Itoudis, the team then went on to lose its next two games, which were on the road [at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-saski-baskonia-vs-fenerbahce-basketball/) and [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-barca-basket-vs-fenerbahce-beko/). Rather than put a run of results together, it was one step forward and two steps back.

It is still too early in Jasikevicius’s reign to comment too much on the playing style, but what is notable is the way in which some players have certainly played at a higher level since his arrival. In all four of his games on the Fenerbahce bench, the Lithuanian play-caller has opted for a starting backcourt of Nick Calathes and Scottie Wilbekin, and both have repaid his faith to this point.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A win in the Turkish Derby 🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBBasketbol</a> get the Dub and the team surrounds <a href="https://twitter.com/Nick_Calathes15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nick_Calathes15</a> 👏🏼 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/7dXXDM5NiR">pic.twitter.com/7dXXDM5NiR</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1740454000141508770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wilbekin averaged 16.7 points and 4.7 assists in the first three games under Jasikevicius, up from his previous averages of 12.6 points and 2.7 assists, but he had a relatively quiet night against Efes with 6 points. He did, however, match his season high for assists with 7.

### Calathes became the hero at Efes

Calathes, meanwhile, has seen a major jump in his minutes and in Round 17 he stepped up big time on the offensive end, scoring 17 points, which is his highest tally since joining Fenerbahce in the summer of 2022. The veteran point guard was particularly clutch in the fourth quarter against Efes, which saw him earn plenty of plaudits afterward.

After netting a triple to give the visitors a 4-point lead, 78-82, with 3:44 minutes remaining, Calathes stepped up again by knocking down his second three-pointer of the quarter to put Fenerbahce up by 5, 82-87, with 29.6 seconds to go. That second make from beyond the arc led to a big celebration among the Fenerbahce players, as they knew the victory was all but secured.

Nick Calathes had 17 points, 1 rebound, 8 assists and 3 steals as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul beat Anadolu Efes Istanbul 84-89 in Round 17 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Calathes's highlights vs. Efes

The history between Jasikevicius and Calathes has been well documented, but there’s no denying that the No. 33 has been playing at his top level since the arrival of his former boss at FC Barcelona. They say that winning cures everything, and for Jasikevicius and Calathes it seems that each victory acts like the perfect remedy.

Despite going 4-0 through his first four games as Fenerbahce boss, Jasikevicius is not resting on his laurels and instead called for calm as he wants his team to learn from the Efes game, having trailed 52-47 at the break before winning the second half 32-42 en route to an 84-89 triumph.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A first win in the Turkish Derby for Saras as coach👏<br><br>It’s all smiles with <a href="https://twitter.com/melihmahmutoglu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@melihmahmutoglu</a> 😄 <a href="https://t.co/Gi7Jgfkebs">pic.twitter.com/Gi7Jgfkebs</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1740458212917166332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“It’s important not to get carried away,” he stressed in the post-game flash interview. “I think we now have to focus on why we started so sluggish in such a big game, and we also have to understand what got us to play such a great second half. You always have to learn. Obviously, the positive is how we managed to leave them on 30 points in the second half in their gym.”

### A chance to further rise up the standings

The good news for Fenerbahce is that its next four games are all at home, although its Round 19 clash against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv will take place in Lithuania following Turkish and Israel government recommendations.

Fenerbahce is 7-0 at Ulker Sports and Events Hall, with Jasikevicius contributing towards two of those wins after overseeing [an 86-74 decision against AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-vs-as-monaco-basket/) and [an 80-78 victory over Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-vs-zalgiris-kaunas/) in his first two games in charge. Therefore, if Fenerbahce is able to maintain its perfect home record through the next four rounds, it would improve to a 14-7 mark and likely surge further up the standings.

All of that is hypothetical, of course, but with Fenerbahce playing as it has done in the early weeks of the Jasikevicius reign, it’s certainly imaginable. It has been just over two weeks since the Lithuanian’s appointment, but the results are already beginning to bear fruit.

More Fenerbahce News

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach Saras Jasikevicius celebrates after his team's 84-89 win at Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 17 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

A win in the Istanbul derby is the latest feat accomplished since the Lithuanian coach’s arrival.

Saras Jasikevicius appointment is already paying dividends for Fenerbahce

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-12-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Since the modern playoffs system was established in 2005, the top Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players and teams have amassed some amazing numbers. Check out the single-game, single-season and all-time playoff records below in 13 different statistical categories.

EuroLeague Playoff records: Points 

**SEE ALSO**: [PIR ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-pir)| [PTS](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-points) | [2FG](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-two-pointers-made) | [3FG](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-three-pointers-made) | [FT](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-free-throws-made) | [2FG%](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-two-point) | [3FG%](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-three-point) | [FT%](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-free-throw) | [TR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-rebounds) | [OR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-offensive-rebounds) | [AS](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-assists) | [ST](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-steals) | [BL](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-blocks)

TOTAL POINTS: Vassilis Spanoulis 

SCORING AVERAGE: Vassilis Spanoulis 

POINTS PER 40 MINUTES: Juan Carlos Navarro 

POINTS, ALL-TIME, PLAYERS

MOST TOTAL POINTS: FC Barcelona 

HIGHEST SCORING AVERAGE: CSKA Moscow 

POINTS PER 40 MINUTES: CSKA Moscow 

POINTS, ALL-TIME, TEAMS

Playoff records: Points

If you need a center for your EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge teams in Rounds 18 and 19, we’ve got you covered!

Fantasy Challenge: Round 18

The two-round weeks can be tricky times in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, but if you dig deep, there seems to always be buried treasure. As we enter Round 18, here are five players who could aid your fantasy team and all of them are centers!  

[Danko Brankovic, FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/danko-brankovic/007639/) (5.9 credits) – This may be a bit of a gamble, but sometimes that’s what you need to succeed in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge. With Serge Ibaka out last week, Brankovic produced his finest EuroLeague performance to date with 11 points and 8 rebounds for a PIR of 16 in less than 20 minutes. Twice so far Ibaka has sat out one of the games in a double-round week and when Ibaka is resting, Brankovic could be your man.   

[Laurynas Birutis, Zalgiris Kaunas ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/)(7.8 credits) – How does a player who has averaged a PIR of 17.0 over his last three games and only costs 7.8 credits sound? In that stretch, Birutis has averaged 13.3 points on 17 of 21 shooting (80.9%) and 5.0 rebounds per game. New coach Andrea Trinchieri will surely respect those numbers. Now may be the time to climb aboard Birutis’s shoulders to see just how far he can carry your team!

Danko Brankovic

Laurynas Birutis

Joel Bolomboy

Dan Oturu

Roman Sorkin

[Joel Bolomboy, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) (10.7 credits) – During the month of December, 10 different centers averaged 16.0 or more fantasy points and none of them is cheaper than Bolomboy. Over those seven games, Bolomboy played 26.7 minutes, third most among all centers, averaging 11.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Over the last two games, only two centers have posted more than his 42.4 fantasy points. Bolomboy is enjoying the best season of his career and by a wide margin. He has already scored more points (159) during the 2023-24 season than in any of his previous five campaigns in the competition and he should be seriously considered by fantasy managers as a mainstay.

[Dan Oturu, Anadolu Efes Istanbul ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/)(12.5 credits) – After three games of showing potential when he first joined the club, Oturu has been a monster over the last three, firmly establishing himself as a force in the paint. In that time the big man has averaged 17.3 points on 23-of-27 shooting (85.2%), 7.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks for a PIR of 23.7. This week, with road games at staunch defenses Valencia Basket and Real Madrid, we find out if Oturu is truly matchup-proof.

[Roman Sorkin, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/roman-sorkin/011219/) (9.4 credits) – If you are in the market for a moderately priced center in great shape, Sorkin could be the answer. The big man has been dominating domestically, where he has averaged 25.3 points and 10.3 rebounds over his last three games, and he has twice scored in double figures in his last three EuroLeague appearances. Sorkin has averaged 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and a PIR of 11.7 in his last three games and had a PIR of 13 the last time he faced Monaco.

If you need a center for your EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge teams this week, we’ve got you covered!

Fantasy Challenge tips: Round 18

In the opening game of 2024, surging Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (10-7) will try to make it five straight wins with a visit from inconsistent Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (6-11). 

Soaring Fenerbahce gets a visit from uneven Zvezda

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/154/) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-facts-ulk-red/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-notes-ulk-red/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ioannis-sfairopoulos-zvezda-we-have-to-attack-them-the-right-way/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-18/)

The Turkish team has scored at least 80 points in all four games since the arrival of [Sarunas Jasikevicus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/jasikevicius-saras/?season=E2023), most recently downing crosstown rival Efes behind 24 points from do-it-all [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/). New [signing Freddy Gillespie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kk-crvena-zvezda-brings-in-freddie-gillespie/) is available to make his debut for Zvezda, and the former Bayern big man will look to complement the inside presence of [Luka Mitrovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-mitrovic/002553/) and [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/), who scored 15 and 20 points in the last two games on 11-of-13 two-point shooting. Fener will look to control the tempo through [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/), who has averaged 9 assists in the last three games.

[Fenerbahce Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/statistics/ulk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Zvezda Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/statistics/red/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Nick Calathes vs. Milos Teodosic: Two of the greatest assist-makers of their generation will try to lead their teams to victory in the Round 18 opener.

Since going close to upsetting Barcelona on the road, Zvezda come home bidding to overcome a Fenerbahce outfit also longing to restore winning-ways after falling in a thriller against Partizan. Can the Serbians please their adoring faithful or will it be the Turks who steal the spoils?

Last Game: 2023-24, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul  - Round 8

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-01-02T17:45:00.000Z)

Newly arrived Zalgiris Kaunas (5-12) head coach Andrea Trinchieri will look to start with a win against lowly ALBA Berlin (3-14), which has lost all eight road games this season.

Zalgiris opens the Trinchieri era hosting ALBA

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-alba-berlin/E2023/158/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-facts-zal-ber/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-notes-zal-ber/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tim-schneider-alba-incredibly-important-game-for-us/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-18/)

Trinchieri will aim to restore confidence to a Zalgiris team that has lost six in a row and the three-point shooting of recent arrival [Edmond Sumner](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edmond-sumner/012787/) could be a big asset after he made 3 of 5 triples in last week’s loss to Maccabi. ALBA won the Round 12 meeting between the teams 64-62 and will look to regain that defensive level after shipping 94 and 91 points in its last two games. [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/) was key to last month’s win over Zalgiris with 16 points and 6 rebounds and he’ll be expected to perform his usual leadership role as ALBA seeks its first road win.

[Zalgiris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/statistics/zal/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [ALBA Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/statistics/ber/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Johannes Thiemann vs. Rolands Smits: These two inside-outside big men will be in each other's jersey's all night on Tuesday.

 ALBA hope for reinforcements after missing six players through injury in their loss at Maccabi, where 22 points from Gabriele Procida was a rare highlight, whereas Zalgiris has rediscovered its winning feeling primarily through defense, allowing just 73 and 70 respectively in wins over Bayern and Milan.

Last Game: 2023-24, ALBA Berlin vs. Zalgiris Kaunas  - Round 12

Zalgiris Kaunas v ALBA Berlin (2024-01-02T18:00:00.000Z)

Two of the four teams tied for fourth place go head to head when Maccabi (10-7) meets Monaco (10-7) in a game with a playoff flavor.

Maccabi, Monaco meet to break their tie

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-as-monaco/E2023/155/) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-facts-tel-mco/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-notes-tel-mco/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/oded-kattash-maccabi-we-will-have-to-play-a-near-perfect-game-on-offense/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-18/)

Monaco handed the Israeli champ a 107-79 thrashing in October behind the usual stellar showing from [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) with 24 points, including 4 triples, and he remains in spectacular form with at least 16 points in eight straight games. Maccabi has won three of its last four games, in large part thanks to big man [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/), who has averaged 19 points and 8 rebounds in his last three appearances. [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) will look to take more care of the basketball after averaging 4.3 turnovers in the last three games, especially against a Monaco squad that has more steals (7.8 per game) than any other team in the competition.

[Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Monaco Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/statistics/red/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Lorenzo Brown vs. Mike James: These point guards and team leaders will be in the vortex of the action on Tuesday.

The French side grabbed a historic win over the team is also eliminated from last season's EuroLeague Playoffs. AS Monaco took control early and never looked back in dismissing visiting Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 107-79 on Thursday night. 

Last Game: 2023-24, AS Monaco vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv  - Round 5

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v AS Monaco (2024-01-02T19:05:00.000Z)

Two teams with aspirations far higher than their current position meet when Olympiacos Piraeus (9-8) hosts EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (7-10) on Tuesday.

Olympiacos, Milan bring new guards to the battle

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/156/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-facts-oly-mil/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-notes-oly-mil/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kostas-papanikolaou-olympiacos-start-the-new-year-the-best-possible-way/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-18/)

The Italian team has bolstered its backcourt with the [re-signing of Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olimpia-milano-brings-back-playmaker-shabazz-napier/), while Olympiacos could give a debut to former Milan star [Naz Mitrou-Long](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/naz-mitrou-long/011965/). Milan's run of three wins in four games has been largely based on the versatility of last week’s MVP [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/007201/) and fellow big man [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/), who has scored at least 16 points in each of the team’s three recent triumphs. After winning its last two games on the road, Olympiacos will look to build further momentum with the help of red-hot [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/), who has continued to be one of this season’s top performers with 17 and 23 points in the last two games.

[Olympiacos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/statistics/oly/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Milan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/statistics/mil/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Alec Peters vs. Johannes Voigtmann: The host team's top scorer and last round's MVP will duel at power forward on Tuesday.

In an early season collision of two teams aiming for Turkish Airlines EuroLeague glory this season, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan beat Olympiacos Piraeus 65-53 in what proved to be a defensive battle at Mediolanum Forum.

Last Game: 2023-24, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Olympiacos Piraeus  - Round 3

Olympiacos Piraeus v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-01-02T19:15:00.000Z)

After losing two in a row, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (9-8) will look to get back onto a winning path with a visit from bottom placed LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2-15), which is aiming for a first win since mid-November. 

Partizan, ASVEL aim to start the year right

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/157/) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-facts-par-asv/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-notes-par-asv/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zeljko-obradovic-partizan-asvel-has-shown-great-character/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-18/)

Shooting ace [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jaleen-smith/011192/) is set to debut for Partizan, and Coach Zeljko Obradovic will hope he can remove some of the scoring burden from [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) (13.8 points per game) and [James Nunnally](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/james-nunnally/007400/) (13.4). ASVEL still has bad memories of a 62-88 home thrashing against the Serbian team in October, but will hope to build on last week’s narrow loss to Real Madrid, which saw [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/timothe-luwawu-cabarrot/012080/) register his 12th consecutive double-digit scoring game with 20 points.

[Partizan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/statistics/par/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [ASVEL Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/statistics/asv/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

James Nunnally vs. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot: Their teams' respective PIR and scoring leaders will test each other's skills on Tuesday.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade romped to an 62-88 win at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in the second round of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. This victory saw Partizan bounce back from its opening 81-96 reverse at Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, reaping the rewards of effervescent teamwork.

Last Game: 2023-24, LDLC AVSEL Villeurbanne vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade - Round 2

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-01-02T19:45:00.000Z)