Pablo Laso will take on Real Madrid Baloncesto with his new team, FC Bayern Munich, for the first time since leaving the club he led to two EuroLeague titles.

Pablo Laso returns to Real Madrid Baloncesto with FC Bayern Munich

Pablo Laso and Real Madrid. Real Madrid and [Pablo Laso](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/laso-pablo/?season=E2023). It is a relationship that will forever be intertwined, but in Round 14 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, [the Spanish coach heads back to his former side with his new team](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/119/), FC Bayern Munich.

During a glittering 11-season stay in the Spanish capital, Laso led Real to two EuroLeague titles (2014-15, 2017-18) and three runner-up finishes (2012-13, 2013-14, 2021-22). Los Blancos reached the Final Four seven times under Laso’s stewardship, too, which is only bettered by one other team in the same period: CSKA Moscow, which went on eight occasions.

Pablo Laso returns to Real Madrid with Bayern: ‘Many years, many experiences, a lot of wins’

### Real Madrid remains in his heart

After leaving Real in the summer of 2022, Laso decided to spend a year away from coaching. But now, having recharged his batteries, he is leading Bayern’s exciting project. Nevertheless, the 56-year-old will always hold a big place in his heart for Real.

“A lot of things. Many years, many experiences, a lot of wins, EuroLeague champions,” Laso responds when asked what Real means to him.

“Real Madrid, for me, has been almost a life. When somebody tells you that you’ve been 11 years at that club, that’s a lot.”

### Seeing old friends at Real Madrid

Almost a year and a half has passed since Real took the decision to dismiss Laso, citing medical reasons after the Spaniard suffered a heart attack during the 2021-22 Spanish League finals, but the current Bayern boss still has lots of old friends at WiZink Center.

“\[Sergio\] Llull is my friend, Rudy \[Fernandez\] is my friend, for sure. Facu \[Campazzo\], Gaby Deck, for sure,” Laso comments. “I had a great relationship with them. All the players that I coached. 

“That’s dangerous, because they might really want to play good against you and they’re great players. I just hope that they’re very anxious and they don’t play that good!

“The best thing that I take \[from my time at Real\] is the friendship I have with a lot of the players there, and at the end it’s what you get \[for your hard work\] – those relationships. I’m really glad that I will have relationships there forever.”

The 56-year-old heads back to WiZink Center for the first time since departing.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (4-9) hopes that home comforts can provide a respite from two narrow road losses as it hosts ALBA Berlin (2-11), which will battle to escape the bottom of the standings.

Zvezda seeks a home rebound vs. ALBA

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-alba-berlin/E2023/124/) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-facts-red-ber) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-notes-red-ber) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/dejan-davidovac-zvezda-we-need-to-start-better/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-building-blocks-to-consider/)

Having allowed at least 83 points in each of the last six games, Zvezda will look to significantly improve that stat against ALBA's next-to-last offense (76.7 points per game). There's a huge disparity in rebounding between the teams, too, with Zvezda ranked fourth (36.7 boards per game) and ALBA 15th (31.6), so the visitors will need somebody to help [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/) control the physical play of [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) and [Luka Mitrovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-mitrovic/002553/).

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

Luka Mitrovic vs. Johannes Thiemann: Two of the hottest big men in the EuroLeague will butt heads around the basket to get Round 14 rocking.

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 25, Zvezda vs. ALBA

Nemanja Nedovic of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade takes it to Jonas Mattissek of ALBA Berlin

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v ALBA Berlin (2023-12-14T18:00:00.000Z)

After winning three straight at home, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (7-6) is seeking a first road win since October as it travels to faltering Zalgiris Kaunas (5-8) which fell twice in the double-round week.

Partizan takes its show on the road to face Zalgiris

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/121/) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-facts-zal-par) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-notes-zal-par) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-building-blocks-to-consider/)

Struggling for offensive fluency, Zalgiris ranks 17th in assists with just 15.2 per game, a figure that won't be helped by the loss of point guard [Lukas Lekavicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lukas-lekavicius/003210/) to injury – piling even more pressure on the shoulders of [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/). Partizan certainly has no problems of that nature, ranking second in scoring with 87.2 points per game. The Serbian team is particularly strong inside the paint, leading the league in two-point conversion rate (62.1%), helped by [Alen Smailagic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alen-smailagic/011051/)'s 8.8 points per game on 68% shooting inside the arc.

[Zalgiris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/statistics/zal/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Partizan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/statistics/par/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Edgaras Ulanovas vs. James Nunnally: A low-post specialist takes on a sharpshooter in Thursday's matchup between veteran small forwards. 

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 23, Zalgiris vs. Partizan

Zach LeDay of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade is defended by Edgaras Ulanovas of Zalgiris Kaunas.

Zalgiris Kaunas v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-12-14T18:00:00.000Z)

In a meeting of direct rivals on the edge of the playoffs places, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (7-6) hosts Anadolu Efes Istanbul (7-6) in Belgrade to break their part of a five-way tie for sixth place. 

Maccabi, Efes to break their tie on the playoffs bubble

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/122/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-facts-tel-ist) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-notes-tel-ist) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-prequotes-tel-ist) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-building-blocks-to-consider/)

Both teams have performed better offensively than defensively, with Efes ranked 15th for allowing 86.4 points per game and Maccabi 17th at 87.6. That could give plenty of scoring opportunities to a bunch of prolific shooters, with [Shane Larki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/)n as the current third-highest scorer in the league (17.7 ppg.) and [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) ranked second in assists (6.8 apg.). Efes has overcome injury problems to win three of its last four games with help from new signing [Mike Daum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-daum/012786/), who drained 5 triples in a comeback victory at ALBA last time out.

[Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Efes Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/statistics/ist/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Lorenzo Brown vs. Shane Larkin: A pair of iconic team leaders engage in a backcourt battle not to be missed on Thursday.

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 28, Efes vs. Maccabi

Josh Nebo of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv scores against Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2023-12-14T19:05:00.000Z)

Two in-form teams meet at Buesa Arena, where fourth-placed Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (8-5) will look for a fourth straight win as it hosts third-placed Virtus Segafredo Bologna (9-4). 

Baskonia welcomes Virtus, Shengelia for a stress test

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/120/) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-facts-bas-vir) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-notes-bas-vir) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-prequotes-bas-vir) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-building-blocks-to-consider/)

Baskonia will have to find a way of stopping its own former star, [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/), who continued his magnificent season with 27 points in the Round 13 victory over Maccabi and leads the league with an average PIR of 22.3 per game. Fourth in that category is Baskonia's new hero, [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) (20.1 PIR), while [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) has more rebounds than any other player (8.4 rpg.), which will make the battle for inside dominance potentially spectacular. Long-range fireworks will come from the league's most prolific three-point shooter [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) (3.5 triples per game), while Virtus's [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/) is also a major deep threat with 2.5 triples per night.

[Baskonia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/statistics/bas/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Virtus Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/statistics/vir/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Chima Moneke vs. Toko Shengelia: Two of this season's top four players in average performance index rating go head-to-head on Thursday.

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 25, Virtus vs. Baskonia

Markus Howard of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz gets by Iffe Lundberg of Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2023-12-14T19:30:00.000Z)

Reigning champ Real Madrid (12-1) will seek to maintain its two-game lead at the top of the standings with a visit from FC Bayern Munich (6-7) and a coach who knows the hosts as well as anybody.

Bayern, Laso enter Real's lion's den

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/119/) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-facts-mad-mun) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-notes-mad-mun) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-prequotes-mad-mun) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-building-blocks-to-consider/)

The spotlight will fall on Bayern coach Pablo Laso, who will return to face his former club for the first time in an official game since his glorious 11-year reign – which delivered two EuroLeague crowns – came to an end 18 months ago. Expect a fierce battle inside the paint as Real giant [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) is confronted by [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) and [Devin Booker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devin-booker/007056/), who respectively rank second and third in the league in rebounding (7.1 and 6.5 rpg.). Real leads the competition in 10 different performance parameters, but there could be nobody better than Laso to devise the perfect game plan against the players he knows so well.

[Madrid Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Bayern Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/statistics/mun/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Walter Tavares vs. Serge Ibaka: Two of the best defensive centers in the business will match wits against each other on Thursday.

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 33, Madrid vs. Bayern

Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid skies to score against Freddie Gillespie of FC Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid v FC Bayern Munich (2023-12-14T19:45:00.000Z)

Two teams who lost both games in the double round week will look for a return to winning ways as LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2-11) hosts Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (6-7) at spanking-new LDLC Arena to close Thursday's action.

ASVEL, Panathinaikos each try to flip the script

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/118/) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-facts-asv-pan) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-notes-asv-pan) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-prequotes-asv-pan) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-building-blocks-to-consider/)

ASVEL playmaker [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/), who has averaged 6.8 assists in the last four games, will look to dominate the backcourt against the team he represented last season. The Greens will hope [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) continues his excellent form after scoring 19, 13 and 24 points in the last three games, while [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) is also in a sweet moment after scoring in double digits in six straight games. He faces a big battle with ASVEL's [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/), who is enjoying his best form of the season with averages of 18 points and 7.6 rebounds over the last five games.

[ASVEL Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/statistics/asv/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Panathinaikos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/statistics/pan/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Joffrey Lauvergne vs. Mathias Lessort: Two of France's signature centers of the last years will take each other's measure on Thursday.

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 29, ASVEL vs. Panathinaikos

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2023-12-14T20:00:00.000Z)

A battle between two teams with title ambitions takes place in Istanbul as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (6-7) welcomes AS Monaco (8-5) with the aim of keeping intact its perfect mark at Ulker Sports and Event Hall.

Fenerbahce tries to hold the fort against Monaco 

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-as-monaco/E2023/123/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-facts-ulk-mco) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-notes-ulk-mco) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-prequotes-ulk-mco/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-building-blocks-to-consider/)

Fenerbahce takes to the floor for the first time under new head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, who replaced Dimitris Itoudis on Thursday. Saras will look for continuing leadership from [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/), who is the only Fenerbahce player to have started every game and played all but 100 seconds of the team's Round 13 loss at Barcelona. Monaco has won three of the last four including a hard-fought road triumph at Zalgiris last time out, when [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) once again asserted his importance with 25 points, supported by 12 plus 4 assists from backcourt partner [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/).

[Fenerbahce Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/statistics/ulk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Monaco Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/statistics/mco/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Tyler Dorsey vs. Elie Okobo: A pair of perimeter threats with very similar games could well tip the balance on Friday.

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 20, Fenerbahce vs. Monaco

Scottie Wilbekin of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul drives past John Brown of AS Monaco 

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v AS Monaco (2023-12-15T17:45:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona (10-3) will look to maintain its grip on second place – and make it eight wins out of eight at home – with a visit from struggling EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (4-9). 

Barca vies to maintain home streak vs. Milan 

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/125/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-facts-bar-mil) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-game-notes-bar-mil) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs14-prequotes-bar-mil/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-building-blocks-to-consider/)

The Italian team has lost three games straight and is set to be without injured former Barca star [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), placing pressure on [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/007201/) (7.9 ppg. and 3.7 rpg.) and [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) (6.2 ppg., 4.3 rpg.) to reproduce his repertoire of scoring and rebounding. Barca's most recent triumph, at home to Fenerbahce last week, was powered by 21 points and 9 rebounds from [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/), who has now scored at least 12 points in four straight games and provides a formidable tag-team big man pairing with the evergreen [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/).

[Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?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)

Willy Hernangomez vs. Johannes Voigtmann: It's be a contrast in styles when the hosts' burly center and the visitors' long-range shooter meet on Friday. 

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 33, Milan vs. Barcelona

Kyle Hines of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan tried to keep up with FC Barcelona's Jan Vesely.

FC Barcelona v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2023-12-15T19:30:00.000Z)