Name: McCormack's big put-back dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

McCormack follows up Samar's miss with a powerful put-back dunk over Tavares's arm.

McCormack's big put-back dunk! Motorola Magic Moment

 McCormack follows up Samar's miss with a powerful put-back dunk over Tavares's arm.

ALBA Berlin v Real Madrid (2024-12-26T18:00:00.000Z)

Ben Saraf does a great job keeping the ball away from the defender and finishing the circus shot.

 What a finish by Saraf! Magic Moment

 Ben Saraf does a great job keeping the ball away from the defender and finishing the circus shot.

ratiopharm Ulm v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2024-12-26T18:00:00.000Z)

Delow is faster to the rim than Tavares, two-handed dunking against the big guy.

Delow dunks by Tavares! Motorola Magic Moment

 Delow is faster to the rim than Tavares, two-handed dunking against the big guy.

Hezonja steals it on one end then races for a fastbreak dunk on the other

Hezonja races for dunk! Motorola Magic Moment

 Hezonja steals it on one end then races for a fastbreak dunk on the other

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 18 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Pregame quotes hub

## Friday, December 27

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:30 CET)

**Dusko Ivanovic, Virtus Segafredo Bologna head coach**

"In my opinion, ASVEL is probably one of the best teams. They play very well, with great confidence, great athleticism and can rely on very good defense. Maledon and De Colo are very important players and leaders who can create and drag their teammates. We will have to play a very good defensive game to try to contain them.”   

**Achille Polonara, Virtus Segafredo Bologna forward** 

"We are expecting a complicated game, ASVEL played a very good first leg in the EuroLeague. They are a tough, young, very explosive and athletic team. We will have to be very careful with their one-on-one and their counterattacks while on offense simply playing our basketball, as we know how to do."

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CET)

**Gordon Herbert, FC Bayern Munich head coach**

"Panathinaikos has assembled a very intriguing team. Coach Ataman is an excellent trainer and a prominent personality. With a healthy Lessort and Nunn, they had the best combination in the EuroLeague up to now. They’ll make adjustments but still have an incredible amount of talent. We need to show that our defense continues to improve, as it has looked lately. I’m excited that we’ll play again in the SAP Garden in front of our amazing fans."

**Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens head coach**

"Especially at their home court, FC Bayern Munich runs the floor very effectively. Offensively, they attempt many three-pointers in fast breaks and coast-to-coast plays. Therefore, we must be cautious on transition defense and offensively control the game by focusing more on five-on-five play. This will be the key."

**Wenyen Gabriel, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens center**

"I’m very excited about this opportunity. Sometimes you’re blessed to get chances like this, and I’m thrilled to be here wearing the colors of Panathinaikos AKTOR. I’m adjusting well. We had a practice yesterday where we mostly played five-on-five, so I got the chance to work with many of my teammates and get a feel for the system. I’ve started learning some plays and the defensive philosophy. The coach has been clear about what he expects from me. I’m looking forward to getting started."

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Paris Basketball (20:30 CET)

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20:30 CET)

**Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade head coach**

"We’re facing a team we’ve already played against. I told the players that was the only game where we had no chance of winning – all the others were decided by a single possession. Some games we won easily, that one we lost easily, but in every other match, we were competitive. Now, we need to find a way and the motivation to compete with them. Our current record is far from satisfactory, but we must draw strength and believe in our abilities to perform much better in the second half of the EuroLeague."

**Balsa Koprivica,  Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade center**

"We are halfway through the season. I think the most important thing for us is how we start the year. Two seasons ago, in this period, we had more wins and a very good finish. We still have a long way to go and there is little difference in the standings between the teams. I think we can achieve a lot depending on how we start the second part of the EuroLeague."

**Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach**

"We are facing an opponent that is playing really well. The atmosphere there is possibly one of the best in the world. We need to have really good guard play to control the team. We need to have concentration for 40 minutes and especially control their guards."

**Bonzie Colson, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward**

"Partizan is a very talented team. They are playing really well right now. But it's more about us. We are focusing on our principles, our offense and defense, and just getting better. We had a couple days to prepare for them. Things are moving well, so we just got to prove it on the court."

### FC Barcelona vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)

**Joan Penarroya, FC Barcelona head coach**

"A difficult match, as they have already shown us \[in Belgrade\]. It's a team that plays well, that is getting victories, with a long roster full of experienced and quality players. We expect difficult match like all those in this EuroLeague, a game in which we will have to do things well. What we would like is to always be at home and give joy to our fans. And it is also evident that it seems that it is easier to win at home than away. There are many \[unexpected\] results in this first round of the EuroLeague, but it is clear that we have to turn games at Palau into those in which the rivals do not come out happy."

**Juan Nunez, FC Barcelona guard**

"The game \[in Belgrade\] was already very complicated, we won in the last few plays and I think it is important to start this second round \[of the regular season\] well, a game at home with our fans, and to win the game. In this second round it is key to win all the games possible at home and to scratch something away. Yes, of course, I think we are Barça, we have to go with the conviction of going to win all the games, whether at home or away, so it is important to protect the home court advantage, but well, we will try to win as many games as possible. Zvezda is a physical team like many in the EuroLeague, with talent too. A team that mixes talent with physicality, with experienced players and a team that is doing well this year. It is playing good basketball and it will surely be a difficult game tomorrow."

## Thursday, December 26

### ALBA Berlin vs. Real Madrid (19:00 CET)

**Israel Gonzalez, ALBA Berlin head coach**

"Real Madrid also had to deal with injury problems and starting difficulties at the beginning of the season. But for the second half of the season match against us, it looks as if they will be able to draw on the full depth of their squad again. In the past matches, you could already see that they are gradually finding their rhythm again. Campazzo, Hezonja, Musa, Tavares and Deck are all in good shape and want to show that they have champion potential. That's why it won't be an easy task for us on Thursday."

**Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach**

"We know that ALBA is a team that plays without fear, it is a team that makes many quick shots, at the beginning of the possession, and against which we will have to be attentive to the pace of play that they try to impose. We have to continue with the defensive intensity that we have had in recent games, which allows us to run and have a balance in our game, have good ball circulation and be consistent on the rebounds."

**Usman Garuba, Real Madrid center**

"We are eager to continue adding victories in the EuroLeague and to do so we have to play as a team, with intensity and with great defense, without relaxing at any time. We are playing against a different ALBA Berlin from the one we faced in the first round, which plays at a great pace and will be very motivated against us."

### AS Monaco vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (19:00 CET)

**Tomislav Mijatovic, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach**<br>
"We are entering the first game of the second phase of the regular season with a very demanding and challenging road game. Our opponent is a high-scoring potential team with several players who have high scoring capacity. We are ready to face the challenge. We have to play the complete Anadolu Efes game both offensively and defensively and put our maximum effort individually and as a team in order to reach our goal, which is to win the game."<br>
**Jordan Nwora, Anadolu Efes Istanbul forward**<br>
"We are going to Monaco to play against a very good team. If we continue to build good habits and grow as a team we can extend our winning streak."

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:05 CET)

**Oded Kattash, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv head coach**

"Zalgiris doesn’t score a lot of points, but that’s due to their pace, so first and foremost, defense is key. We have weaknesses on defense, and as a team, we’ll need to compensate for them against very dominant scorers. Every time one of their players has the ball, we’ll need five players focused on him, and that’s something we didn’t do well in the \[Israeli League\] game against Jerusalem. We need to do that much better. Of course, as always against Lithuanian teams, we need to box out well for rebounds."

**Jake Cohen, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv forward**

"We are in the middle of a process and trying to improve. I think the results haven’t been good, but we know what we need to work on and believe in ourselves. \[Coach\] Oded \[Kattash\] will get us there, and the roster is capable. We know what needs to be done to reach the highest levels possible. We were very close in several games. We just need to execute."

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:30 CET)

**Ettore Messina, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan head coach**

"We face one of the most consistent team in the EuroLeague, a very aggressive team defensively, who will use its quality of passing to free up shooters on offense. We really intend to play a good game, get back on track, and give our fans a game to be proud of, because they have remained very close to us, especially lately, and will our arena one more time."

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach**

"It's going to be a tough game. Before the two losses in the previous two EuroLeague games, Milan was on a big winning streak. Also, they played very well against Trapani in the Italian league. As I said, we expect a very difficult game. We will have to fight hard, give our best, and be totally focused in order to get the win. We will miss Nikola Milutinov, and that's a big problem for us. Mensah did travel with us by bus, but as anyone can imagine, he is not ready to help us."

**Nigel Williams-Goss, Olympiacos Piraeus guard**

"Milan is a very good team. Offense is their strength. It is always tough to play away, especially against a talented team like Milan. It is a big challenge for us. We will miss Milutinov, and that means that we all must give our best effort to overcome his absence and get the win. We should stick together and play harder on defense."

Pregame quotes hub: 'It's more about us'

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-12-27T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-12-27T19:30:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Paris Basketball (2024-12-27T19:30:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-12-27T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-12-27T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-12-26T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-12-26T19:05:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-12-26T18:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm roared for a 104-87 home victory over Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul to extend its winning streak to five games in a crucial Group A matchup. 

Ulm overpowers Besiktas 104-87

ratiopharm Ulm roared for a 104-87 home victory over Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul to extend its winning streak to five games in a crucial Group A matchup. Ulm lost a 13-point first-half lead but never allowed Besiktas to get back ahead and cruised to a 9-4 record, including a 5-1 mark at home. Ulm had six players score in double figures in reaching the 100-point mark for the third straight game.

Marcio Santos and Justinian Jessup both scored 16 points while Thomas Klepeisz had the game of his season with 15 points - two more than his combined total thus far, and Ben Saraf added 10 points and 6 assists. Besiktas dropped to 7-6 with a second straight loss after a three-game winning streak. Kelan Martin was the top scorer for the visitors with 17 points and Dustin Sleva and Jonah Mathews both had 13 points. 

Game Videos

After Derek Needham opened the proceedings with a three-pointer for Besiktas, there were three lead changes and Ulm used 2 triples to go up 12-7. A second long ball from Jessup gave Ulm its first double-figure advantage at 19-9. Santos took over with 9 straight points for Ulm in building a 27-14 cushion. Besiktas pulled within 9 points but trailed 34-23 after 10 minutes.

After giving up 34 points in the opening frame, Besiktas held the hosts to just a put-back basket in the first 3 minutes of the second quarter and Martin scored 6 points in a 2-10 run to get the deficit down to 36-33. Besiktas erased the 13-point gap on a Mathews layup to knot it up 38-38. Jessup answered with a three-pointer and Saraf sparked the offense with three scores as Ulm led 50-42 and went into the break ahead 52-44.

Game News

Noa Essengue threw down a dunk and Klepeisz drained a triple as Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic called a timeout just 51 seconds into the second half. Isaiah Roby followed with 5 points for Ulm, which pushed the advantage to 64-47. Klepeisz drained his third triple and Ulm increased the margin to 20 points - 72-52. Besiktas was not ready to hand over the game and trimmed it to 74-60. The home side led 81-64 after 30 minutes.

Ulm got two transition baskets in the first 2 minutes of the fourth quarter for an 85-66 lead and Alimpijevic called another timeout. Ulm kept up the pace and Nelson Weidemann hit 2 three-pointers for a 95-70 lead with 5 minutes to play. The only question was if Ulm could actually catch the 33-point deficit from the road game in Istanbul. But that was the closest the German side could make it.

Ulm captures big win in fight for top spots in Group A

ratiopharm Ulm overpowers Besiktas 104-87

EuroLeague.net's team of experts - Geoff Gillingham, Javier Gancedo, Frankie Sachs and Igor Petrinovic - provide their updated power rankings for the midway point of the 2024-25 EuroLeague regular season

EuroLeague Power Rankings at the midway point of the regular season

Welcome to the December edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Power Rankings. The following list is the brainchild of [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net)'s team of experts, which is made up of [Geoff Gillingham](https://bsky.app/profile/geoffgillingham.bsky.social), [Javier Gancedo](https://x.com/ganchetto), [Frankie Sachs](https://x.com/MrEuroleague) and [Igor Petrinovic](https://x.com/IgorPetrinovic).

The power rankings represent where the experts rank if compared to all teams right now and not necessarily where they feel they will be at the end of the season.

Next to each team, there are several numbers. First is the team's record. It is followed by the highest rank on any individual ballot and the next number represents the lowest.

### 1. Olympiacos Piraeus (11-6); 1, 2

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 2. November - 1.**

**Best case scenario:** [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) cannot be stopped and [Olympiacos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2024-25) takes the crown for the first time in more than a decade.

**Worst case scenario:** The Reds drop a few unexpected games, don’t have home-court advantage for the playoffs and miss out on the Final Four.

### 2. AS Monaco (11-6); 1, 3

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 6. November - 8.**

**Best case scenario:** Coach [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/spanoulis-vassilis/?season=E2024) has the magic touch he possessed as a player and [Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2024-25) makes history with its first EuroLeague championship.

**Worst case scenario:** A bevvy of road games and some injuries stop Monaco from reaching its peak and the team falls out of the top four and loses in the playoffs.

### 3. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (10-7); 2, 4

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 1. November - 2.**

**Best case scenario:** The EuroLeague Trophy returns to Athens for the second straight season.

**Worst case scenario:** The Greens never fully recover from the injury to [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) and are not up to the task when the playoffs roll around.

### 4. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (10-6); 4, 8

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 3. November -3.**

**Best case scenario:** [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) and [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) become the league’s most dangerous scoring tandem and lead [Fenerbahce](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2024-25) to an assault on the title.

**Worst case scenario:** Inconsistency plagues the team and drives [Coach Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/jasikevicius-saras/?season=E2024) mad as Fenerbahce drops into the Play-In Showdown range.

### 5. Paris Basketball (11-5); 3, 8

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 17. November - 4.**

**Best case scenario:** [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) keeps [Paris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/roster/prs/?season=2024-25) on its miracle run all the way to the Final Four.

**Worst case scenario:** The marathon of the EuroLeague schedule catches up with the debutant, which slips out of the playoff picture.

### 6. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (10-7); 5, 9

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 7. November - 7.**

**Best case scenario:** A healthy [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) rekindles the [Efes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/roster/ist/?season=2024-25) magic and - after a two-year hiatus – leads the team back to the Final Four.

**Worst case scenario:** Larkin cannot capture his peak form, the chemistry never fully develops and Efes loses in the Play-In Showdown.

### 7. FC Bayern Munich (11-6); 5, 9

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 15. November - 6.**

**Best case scenario:** [Bayern](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/roster/mun/?season=2024-25) never loses at home, [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) leads the league in scoring and [Coach Herbert](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/herbert-gordon/?season=E2024) guides the team to the Final Four.

**Worst case scenario:** A grueling stretch of games to start the second-half of the regular season deflates Bayern, which never recovers and finishes the regular season outside the top 10.

### 8. Real Madrid (8-9); 6, 9

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 4. November - 9.**

**Best case scenario:** All the players get healthy, management adds a key reinforcement and *Los Blancos* play in the championship game for the fourth year running.

**Worst case scenario:** Age and injuries take their toll and [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2024-25) has to fight just to make the Play-In Showdown.

### 9. Zalgiris Kaunas (10-7); 7, 12

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 13. November - 10.**

**Best case scenario:** [Lonnie Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lonnie-walker-iv/013403/) and co. continue to thrill fans across Europe all season long, [Coach Trinchieri](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/trinchieri-andrea/?season=E2024)’s defense wreaks havoc and [Zalgiris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/roster/zal/?season=2024-25) parties its way to Game 5 of the playoffs.

**Worst case scenario:** Walker leaves during the season, the Zalgiris attack sputters and the team cannot qualify for the Play-In showdown.

### 10. FC Barcelona (9-8); 7, 13

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 5. November - 5.**

**Best case scenario:** The balance between [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) on the perimeter and a deep frontline wears down opponents and [Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/roster/bar/?season=2024-25) marches to the Final Four.

**Worst case scenario:** Barcelona can’t find a remedy for its inconsistency and its defensive flaws keep the team from reaching the playoffs.

### 11. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (9-8); 6, 14

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 8. November - 13.**

**Best case scenario:** [Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/roster/mil/?season=2024-25) finds a solution at center, the duo of [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) and [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/) do the heavy lifting as Milan works itself back into the playoff picture.

**Worst case scenario:** Milan’s six-game winning streak proves to have been an aberration, and the team struggles to stay pace with the top 10 in the standings.

### 12. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (8-9); 10, 12

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 16. November - 15.**

**Best case scenario:** [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) enters the MVP discussion as [ASVEL](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/roster/asv/?season=2024-25) stuns fans across the continent and reaches the playoffs for the first time under the modern format.

**Worst case scenario:** Teams find a way to stop Maledon and ASVEL cannot respond. The team falls back to the far end of the standings.

### 13. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (9-8); 12, 14

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 12. November - 11.**

**Best case scenario:** [Zvezda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/roster/red/?season=2024-25) gets even tougher with the addition of [John Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-brown-iii/010588/) and the magic of [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) shines in key moments as Zvezda plays its way into the Play-In Showdown.

**Worst case scenario:** It turns out that Zvezda has peaked too early, the team cannot win close games and it does not threaten for a spot in the next stage by the end of the season.

### 14. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (7-10); 11, 14

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 9. November - 17.**

**Best case scenario:** [Coach Obradovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/obradovic-zeljko/?season=E2024) is able to maximize the talent on the roster and [Carlik](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) and [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) lead [Partizan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-nis-belgrade/roster/par/?season=2024-25) on an impressive winning streak and into the top half of the standings.

**Worst case scenario:** The talent is not enough; Partizan pays dearly for some narrow losses and the dream of reaching the postseason goes up in flames.

### 15. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (7-10); 15, 16

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 11. November - 14.**

**Best case scenario:** Thanks to [Coach Laso](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/laso-pablo/?season=E2024)’s championship pedigree, [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/)’s superstar skills and [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/)’s otherworldly shooting, [Baskonia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/roster/bas/?season=2024-25) gets hot and plays its way into the postseason.

**Worst case scenario:** The Round 15 loss to Virtus haunts the team, which heads into a tailspin and finishes near the bottom of the standings.

### 15. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (4-13); 15, 16

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 16. November - 16.**

**Best case scenario:** [Coach Ivanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/ivanovic-dusko/?season=E2024)’s fire turns this team around and [Virtus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/roster/vir/?season=2024-25) makes a run at the Play-In Showdown.

**Worst case scenario:** Even the coaching change is just a short-term boost and an aging roster dooms Virtus to a spot near the bottom of the standings.

### 17. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (4-13); 17, 17

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 14. November - 12.**

**Best case scenario:** Everyone gets healthy, the rookies take a step forward and a feisty squad gives fans reasons to dream for next season.

**Worst case scenario:** The bottom drops out and [Maccabi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2024-25) falls to its worst regular season finish under the current EuroLeague format.

### 18. ALBA Berlin (3-14); 18, 18

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 18. November - 18.**

**Best case scenario:** [Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matteo-spagnolo/008173/), [Gabriele Procida](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/gabriele-procida/008384/) and [David McCormack](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/david-mccormack/013386/) emerge as a dangerous core that can compete with any team.

**Worst case scenario:** The losing takes the sting out of [ALBA](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/roster/ber/?season=2024-25)’s top talents and the team finishes the season with a whimper.

The Euroleague.net experts provide their updated power rankings for the midway point of the 2024-25 regular season

Power Rankings at the midway point of the regular season

For the first time in several weeks, the trio of hosts for the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast are reunited in Episode No. 13. Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs of Euroleague.net and Vasiliki Karamouza of Sport 24 dish on what went well – and in some cases very well – in Rounds 16 and 17 and what to look forward to in Round 18.

The Fantasy Challenge Podcast gang reunites for Episode No. 13

For the first time in several weeks, the trio of hosts for the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast are reunited in Episode No. 13. [Javier Gancedo](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fganchetto&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7Cf637e2d6bb3e4ec70a6008dd233d96d4%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638705469604612942%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fUS02rr3aDuSVx9gQ66XZiQcD%2Bv6TCX4GMBB6ALFkvE%3D&reserved=0) and [Frankie Sachs](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FMrEuroleague&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7Cf637e2d6bb3e4ec70a6008dd233d96d4%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638705469604628238%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zQXYURdvCs21NyTsaIeao0vYWbkNQx0zEiUnGjWg9G8%3D&reserved=0) of [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) and [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fkaramouza_vas&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7Cf637e2d6bb3e4ec70a6008dd233d96d4%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638705469604647657%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ScfEOK5GTYf4YtFYuF6KZJfXNlUJjKq1IQ5NCpdoQBI%3D&reserved=0) of Sport 24 dish on what went well – and in some cases very well – in Rounds 16 and 17 and what to look forward to in Round 18.

With unlimited trades allowed this week, the trio shared their favorite bargain options, the expensive players they can’t live without and other must-own picks. Other topics of discussion include what to do at the center position after the injury to Mathias Lessort, whether David McCormack is a viable long-term option and if the time is right to add Shane Larkin.

Check out the teams Javi, Frankie and Vasiliki plan to use in Round 18, which begins at 19:00 CET on Thursday when games tip off simultaneously in Berlin and Monaco. Good luck fantasy fans!

Javi, Frankie and Vasiliki share some advice and their teams ahead of Round 18.

In the final episode of EuroLeague & Friends before Christmas Day, this week's panel of Deniz Aksoy, Milena Martin, Vasiliki Karamouza, and Lisa Ramuschkat discuss FC Bayern Munich staying unbeaten at SAP Garden, the excellent scoring of Kendrick Nunn, the impressive performances of Sasha Vezenkov, plus much more.

EuroLeague & Friends, ep. 9: Bayern's home form, Nunn and Vezenkov on fire...

In the final episode of EuroLeague & Friends before Christmas Day, this week's panel of [Deniz Aksoy](https://www.instagram.com/denizzaksoy/), [Milena Martin](https://www.instagram.com/milenagramm/), [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://www.instagram.com/vasiliki_karamouza/), and [Lisa Ramuschkat](https://www.instagram.com/lisa_ramuschkat/) discuss FC Bayern Munich staying unbeaten at SAP Garden, the excellent scoring of Kendrick Nunn, the impressive performances of Sasha Vezenkov, plus much more.

EuroLeague & Friends, ep. 9: Bayern's home form, Nunn and Vezenkov on fire

Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary decisions pertaining to incidents that occurred in Rounds 16 and 17 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Latest disciplinary sanctions

- Olympiacos Piraeus has been sanctioned with a fine amounting of €5,000 for the offensive chants committed by its fans on occasion home game against Virtus Segafredo Bologna under 29.2.f) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.
- Olympiacos Piraeus has been sanctioned with a fine amounting of €5,000 for the offensive chants committed by its fans on occasion home game against Alba Berlin under 29.2.f) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.

Latest disciplinary decisions

LDLC ASVEL announced on Monday night that big man Mbaye Ndiaye has ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his right knee and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Mbaye Ndiaye out for 'several months' with knee injury

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) announced on Monday night that big man [Mbaye Ndiaye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mbaye-ndiaye/012731/) has ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his right knee and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Ndiaye, who has averaged 7.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games for ASVEL this season, will undergo surgery to address the injury, which came during the team's [Round 16 win at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/asvel-stuns-partizan-for-first-road-win-79-82/) on December 17.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">La nouvelle que l&#39;on craignait est malheureusement officiellement tombée pour Mbaye Ndiaye... 😔<br><br>Notre intérieur sénégalais souffre d&#39;une rupture des ligaments croisés du genou droit. Il sera opéré demain matin et éloigné des terrains plusieurs mois.<br><br>Sois fort Mbeasy, tout le… <a href="https://t.co/Swf52P7v3d">pic.twitter.com/Swf52P7v3d</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1871260093070590166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"The news we feared has unfortunately officially arrived for Mbaye Ndiaye..." read ASVEL's tweet. "Our Senegalese center has ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his right knee. He will undergo surgery tomorrow morning and be out of action for several months. 

"Be strong Mbeasy, the whole club is with you and wishes you the best in your recovery!"

The 25-year-old is in his second season at ASVEL and second in the EuroLeague. He previously played for fellow French teams Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2017-20) and ADA Blois (2020-23).

More ASVEL News

He suffered the injury in ASVEL's Round 16 win at Partizan

Following Mathias Lessort fracturing his fibula last Thusday, Panathinaikos BC has moved quickly and brought in Wenyen Gabriel from Maccabi Tel Aviv on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Panathinaikos moves for Wenyen Gabriel

Following [Mathias Lessort fracturing his fibula](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/all-euroleague-center-mathias-lessort-leaves-game-with-leg-injury/) last Thusday, [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) has moved quickly and brought in [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/) from [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/tel/) on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Gabriel (2.06 meters, 27 years old) only came to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this past summer after spending the first six years of his career between the NBA and the G League, while he also had a brief stint in Puerto Rico at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Injuries limited his participation for Maccabi somewhat, but Gabriel averaged 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks across nine EuroLeague appearances for the Israeli side.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wenyen Gabriel joins the Green family! <br><br>Welcome 💪🏿☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://t.co/jWD7fiuY5E">pic.twitter.com/jWD7fiuY5E</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1871241019745784098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A member of South Sudan's roster at the 2024 Olympic Games, Gabriel's final game for Maccabi came in Round 16, when he played just four minutes having picked up a hand injury.

Gabriel will now look to fill the Lessort-shaped hole in Panathinaikos's frontcourt and battle the likes of [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) and [Kostas Antetokounmpo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-antetokounmpo/011221/) for minutes at the '5' position.

More Panathinaikos News

The South Sudan international made nine appearances for Maccabi in the first half of this season

Maxime Courby is not only the EuroCup’s deadliest three-point shooter this season, but the face of the JL Bourg franchise ranks first all-time in competition history for long-range accuracy. But slowly he is thinking about calling it a day – starting with handing over the captaincy.

Face of Bourg franchise Maxime Courby: Last season was ‘magical’, but end is coming soon

[Maxime Courby](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/maxime-courby/010450/) is not only the BKT EuroCup’s deadliest three-point shooter this season, but the face of the [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/bou/) franchise ranks first all-time in competition history for long-range accuracy. But slowly he is thinking about calling it a day – starting with handing over the captaincy.

The 34-year-old Courby has been with Bourg since 2015, signing with the team from east-central France when they were still in the second division ProB. And his journey with the club crescendoed last season by reaching the EuroCup Finals, where it lost to Paris Basketball.

“It was magical because when I signed with Bourg, we grew up fast,” Courby told David Hein. “It was amazing because we are a small city, so everybody talked about the EuroCup games every week. When I signed with Bourg, the first two years we were in ProB. And now they talk about us everywhere in Europe. We reached a level that we were not supposed to. And it's amazing.”

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All this was not really part of the plan for Courby, who hails from Roubaix in northern France.

“When I signed, the goal was just to move up to ProA and stay there,” he said. “Now the goal is to each year be second, third or fourth in the championship so we are close to AS Monaco, Paris and \[LDLC\] ASVEL \[Villeuerbanne\]. We are a big, big team in France now.

“I could not have imagined when I signed 10 years ago that we would reach this level. It was a really big dream for me to play at this level. But I never imagined playing in the EuroCup in Bourg-en-Bresse. For me, it was just a step. And afterward, I would try to find another club to play at this level.”

Courby has now totaled 74 appearances for Bourg in the EuroCup, dating back to the 2020-21 season. He has connected on 79 of 159 three-pointers in his EuroCup career for a breathtaking 49.7% clip. That is top all-time, with Jurica Ruzic ranking second at 48.3% followed by Sergei Chikalkin at 48.2%.

“I can’t believe that because when I was young, I didn’t have a good shooting form and I worked \[on it\] a lot,” he added. “And it's just about working, because it was not natural at the beginning. I don't shoot a lot; I have a good selection of my shots so maybe that's why I have a high percentage. But it's a lot of work.”

Despite turning 34 on November 23, Courby is actually having his best shooting season thus far – hitting 11 of 16 three-point attempts for 71.4% in 11 games. That comes after he had his poorest shooting season last year.

After making 50.7%, 64% and 42.9% respectively his first three seasons in the EuroCup, Courby connected on just 26.3% in 2023-24.

“I think it was just a mental thing because I was not in a good shape mentally last season to reach the high percentages than I had before,” he commented “I was sometimes mad because I didn't play, so it was tough last season. When you don't play some big games, you are naturally a bit sad.”

Courby’s mind was also preoccupied with another matter last year. At the end of last season, he received his coaching degree. The veteran also worked last season as an assistant coach for Bourg’s U21 team that won the French championship.

“It was a really good experience for me,” he stated. “It's another way of looking at basketball. It's not the same when we are players as when you are outside of the court. It's really interesting. When I come back to my home, it's not the same. We think about basketball differently. It's interesting to prepare the practice for the young teams. It's really different. So it was a good experience.”

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Another big difference between this season and last is that Courby is no longer the team captain. He handed that honor over to Hugo Benitez. The team’s starting point guard will turn 24 in January but has been with the club since starting in the youth ranks in 2016.

"It was natural to give the captain armband to Hugo,” Courby said of Benitez, who has now played in 72 EuroCup games, all with Bourg. “He's the new generation. He's really talented. He's our point guard. He has been playing all the time – not just for a few weeks – and is in the starting five. He's important for us. So for me, it's normal.”

Courby is slowly wondering how much longer he will play the game. In October 2023 he agreed to a contract extension until 2026.

When asked if he plans on playing after that, he said: “That’s the question I don’t know at the moment. If my health is good, maybe I can keep playing, but I don't know.”

About the possibility of something in coaching, he mentioned: “If the club proposes me something...”

Until then, Courby will just continue to knock down those three-pointers.

Latest Bourg News

The most accurate three-point shooter in EuroCup history has handed the captaincy to Hugo Benitez and is already thinking about the future 

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares his tips for Round 18 of the 2024-25 season.

Fantasy tips, Round 18: Enjoy unlimited trades!

This promises to be quite an eventful week in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge. First, managers can enjoy unlimited trading for the third time since the start of the season. Second, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague enters Round 18, meaning all teams have played each other at least once and scouting reports should be even more accurate now. 

This time, given the circumstances, I am recommending a superstar and two high-level players on the rise as budget options plus two cheaper players to fill your roster. Here they are.

Terry Tarpey, Dzanan Musa, Isaia Cordinier, Ercan Osmani and Theo Maledon are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Round 18

**Theo Maledon, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (17.3 credits)**

[Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) is my superstar of choice. ASVEL is 4-1 this month and Maledon is a strong candidate for the MVP of December award. He has the numbers to back this statement, averaging 21.4 points on 35-of-38 free-throw shooting (92.1%), 4.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 6.4 fouls drawn for a PIR of 27.2. His consistency has been outstanding.

**Ercan Osmani, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (7.5 credits)**

[Ercan Osmani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ercan-osmani/012710/) was simply outstanding against Partizan in Round 17. He finished the game with a career-high 25 points, 10 more than his previous best, by making 6 of 7 two-pointers and 4 of 7 three-pointers plus 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 assists and 5 fouls drawn for a personal-best PIR of 29. Buy him now!

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DD0KWM5OtC-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Erxhan (Ercan) Osmani (@erxhanosmani)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**Terry Tarpey, AS Monaco (5.0 credits)**

A coaching change has resulted in [Terry Tarpey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/terry-tarpey/012515/) seeing extended playing time and he is definitely making the most out of it. After hardly playing in the first 13 rounds (a total of 46 seconds), Tarpey has averaged 4.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 steals without any turnovers for a PIR of 8.0. Not bad at all for 5.0 credits, right?

**Dzanan Musa, Real Madrid (12.8 credits)**

After being injured and playing in pain, [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) started to feel better in Round 15 against Zalgiris and has been his usual dangerous self ever since. Musa has boosted his numbers to 16.3 points on 12-of-16 two-point shooting (75%) and 4-of-9 on threes (44.4%) for a PIR of 19.0 in the last three games. For 12.8 credits, he is a steal.

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**Isaia Cordinier, Virtus Segafredo Bologna (12.7 credits)**

First things first, [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) comes off an outstanding performance, getting a personal-best 24 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 8 fouls drawn for a career-high PIR of 38 against Barca. He matches new head coach Dusko Ivanovic's winning mentality, so expect more games like this from Cordinier as Virtus hosts red-hot ASVEL this week.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares his tips for the week ahead

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul has confirmed that center Boban Marjanovic has departed the club, with the Turkish side exercising an exit clause in his contract.

Fenerbahce, Boban Marjanovic part ways

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) has confirmed that center [Boban Marjanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/boban-marjanovic/lmg/) has departed the club, with the Turkish side exercising an exit clause in his contract.

Marjanovic made a total of six appearances for Fenerbahce in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season, he has played just once since Round 6 having featured in [Fenerbahce's Round 14 win at Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-blasts-past-real-70-82/). In six games, the 36-year-old averaged 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 10:04 minutes per night.

"We have parted ways with our player Boban Marjanovic, who joined Fenerbahce Beko in September, by exercising the exit option in his contract," read Fenerbahce's statement.

"We would like to thank Boban Marjanovic for his contribution to our team and wish him all the best for the next phase of his career."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Her şey için teşekkürler Boban Marjanovic! 💛💙<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/6y1rplZKf7">https://t.co/6y1rplZKf7</a> <a href="https://t.co/p023HDManJ">pic.twitter.com/p023HDManJ</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1871161864912359916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Marjanovic returned to Europe this past summer after a nine-year spell in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. 

Before heading to the NBA in 2015, Marjanovic made his name in the EuroLeague with a standout 2014-15 season with [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/), posting 16.6 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. He also split the 2010-11 season between [CSKA Moscow](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/cska-moscow/csk/) and [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/), and spent the 2013-14 campaign with Crvena Zvezda.

More Fenerbahce News

He made just six EuroLeague appearances after joining this past summer

The second half of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season starts with a bang, as Round 18 features four games between direct rivals in the race for the playoffs. Here's your guide to the final games of 2024.

At a glance: A festive feel to Round 18

The second half of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season starts with a bang, as Round 18 features four games between direct rivals in the race for the playoffs. Here's your guide to the final games of 2024.

## Thursday, December 26

### ALBA Berlin vs. Real Madrid (19:00 CET)

On the back of two big wins last week, Real (8-9) will look to continue its resurgence with a trip to last-placed ALBA (3-14). The German team has been weakened by the loss of big man [Trevion Williams to Maccabi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-signs-trevion-williams-away-from-alba-berlin/), so Real will expect league rebounding leader [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) (7.9 per game) to be even more dominant in the paint. The visitor will also look for [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) to continue the sharpshooting form that saw him average 17 points on 13-of-19 field goal shooting in the double round week, while ALBA needs guard [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/) to stay hot after netting a season-high 19 points in last week’s narrow loss at Olympiacos. The host is looking to make history after losing all 17 of its previous meetings with Real.

### AS Monaco vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (19:00 CET)

In a key matchup between direct rivals, Monaco (11-6) will look to bounce back from last week's heavy loss in Madrid by overcoming a surging Efes (10-7). The Turkish team has won three in a row, with the return to fitness of [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) helping to spark an offense which was led superbly by [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) in the Round 17 victory over Partizan, dishing 11 assists without a turnover. Forward [Ercan Osmani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ercan-osmani/012710/) will look to maintain the best form of his career after averaging 19 points and 6 boards across last week’s two wins. His rebounding ability will test a Monaco line-up which needs more output from big men [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) and [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mam-jaiteh/002581/), who combined for just 4 points and 3 rebounds in last week’s loss.

Round 18 Head-to-Head: James vs. Larkin

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:05 CET)

Two teams aiming to get back in the win column meet in Belgrade as Maccabi (4-13) hosts Zalgiris (10-7). Maccabi’s frontcourt could be strengthened by [a debut for Trevion Williams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-signs-trevion-williams-away-from-alba-berlin/), who averaged 10.8 points and 6.9 rebounds for previous club ALBA. Zalgiris will hope that key scorer Lonnie Walker can return to form after suffering a rare off night in last week’s home loss to ASVEL, which saw the American guard score 0 points after missing all 5 of his field goal shots. With five straight defeats, Maccabi is on the competition's longest losing run and has already suffered at the hands of Zalgiris’s league-best defense once this season to Zalgiris, going down 78-63 in October as [Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/edgaras-ulanovas/002329/) netted 14 points.

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:30 CET)

Milan (9-8) will attempt to bounce back from consecutive losses by downing one of the four co-leaders, Olympiacos (11-6). Arguably the best two forwards in the competition will go into a direct battle as [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) (23.5 PIR, second in the league) takes on fellow former league MVP [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) (22.9 PIR, fourth-best). [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/)'s latest injury blow is a big blow for Milan in its bid to compete in the paint against a Reds frontcourt featuring [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/), who is coming off his best performance of the season with 18 points on 9-of-9 two-point shooting to help overcome ALBA. The host will also need the all-round game of [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) (9.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game) to overcome an Olympiacos team which smashed Milan 89-68 when the teams met in October, behind 22 points from [Shaq McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/).

Round 18 Head-to-Head: Mirotic vs. Vezenkov

## Friday, December 27

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:30 CET)

Red-hot ASVEL (8-9) will look for a fourth straight win as it visits a Virtus (4-13) boosted by last week’s home win over Barcelona. The Italian team has toughened up under new coach Dusko Ivanovic, and will be led on the court by guard [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) after his career-best PIR of 38 made him the MVP of Round 17 following the win over Barca. ASVEL triumphed twice on the road last week, with Friday’s win at Zalgiris seeing the always-excellent [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) receive plenty of support from young star [Melvin Ajinca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/melvin-ajinca/010316/): the 20-year-old swingman netted a career-best 17 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting. Both teams will hope to have key big man back in action, with [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) and [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/) missing from their respective Round 17 triumphs.

Round 18 Head-to-Head: Cordinier vs. Ajinca

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CET)

Another big battle near the top of the standings will see Panathinaikos (10-7) attempt to become this season's first road winners at co-leader Bayern (11-6). The Greens will have to compensate for the injury absence of dominant center [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), with [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) needing to step up from his season averages of 11 minutes, 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Bayern bolstered its confidence with a tough road win at Milan last week, with the in-form [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) orchestrating the offense by combining 10 points with 12 assists. He is also the league’s top ball thief, averaging 1.6 steals per game, and those defensive skills will be important against Panathinaikos scoring star [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) – whose average of 20.2 points per game is only bettered by Bayern’s [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) (20.7 ppg).

Round 18 Head-to-Head: Voigtmann vs. Hernangomez

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Paris Basketball (20:30 CET)

Paris (11-5) coach [Tiago Splitter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/splitter-tiago/?season=E2024) will make an emotional return to his former club with a trip to Baskonia (7-10). The French team will hope to have a full roster available after illness forced the postponement of last week’s scheduled meeting with Fenerbahce, and is aiming to get back on track after a two-game losing run. Baskonia has also struggled recently with three losses out of four, but showed it knows how to slow down Paris’s explosive offense when it was narrowly edged out, 67-65, in November’s meeting between the teams – the only time all season that [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) has been restricted to single digits scoring. But the Spanish team also needs its own offense to function better, after netting just 69 points in last week’s crushing 35-point loss at Panathinaikos.

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20:30 CET)

Two teams hoping for a change in momentum meet as Partizan (7-10) hosts Fenerbahce (10-6). The Turkish team has lost four of the last five due to a leaky defense allowing an average of 92 points in those losses, and will be eager to get back on the court after the postponement of its Round 17 game at Paris. Partizan is also coming off a bad double round week, losing to ASVEL and Efes despite big man [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) patrolling the paint with an average of 19.5 points on 15-of-21 two-point shooting. [Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sterling-brown/012720/) has hit his best form of the season, averaging 16.3 points over the last four games, and Fener would love to answer him through an improvement from [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/), who has only scored three field goals in the last three games.

### FC Barcelona vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)

Two direct rivals on the edge of the playoffs places look to strengthen their challenge as Barcelona (9-8) hosts Zvezda (9-8). Veteran forward [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) (9.2 points per game on 48% three-point shooting) will hope his long-range shooting can cause problems for his former team, while dynamic guard [Yago dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) will look to stay hot after pairing 15 points and 7 assists to help overcome Maccabi last time out. Barca needs to bounce back from last week’s loss at Virtus, and will hope that big man [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) can deliver another strong performance after netting a season-high 14 points last time out. His battle alongside [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) with the fit-again [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/), who bagged 17 points and 6 rebounds in the win against Maccabi, could be decisive.

Round 18 Head-to-Head: Punter vs. Nedovic

Four games take place on December 26 and five on December 27

GAME NOTES

\- Besiktas blasted Ulm 107-74 in Round 4 as Kyle Allman led six Besiktas scorers in double figures with 16 points. It was the first-ever meeting between these clubs.

\- Derek Needham dished a season-high 8 assists in Besiktas's Round 4 victory over Ulm.

\- Ulm forward Karim Jallow was a teammate of Besiktas’s Kelan Martin during the 2018-19 season at MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in Germany.

GAME FACTS

### ratiopharm Ulm

 

**Streaks**

Ben Saraf has collected at least 1 steal in six of his last seven games.

Justinian Jessup has made at least 1 three-point shot in five of his last six games.

Jessup has had double-digit PIRs in six straight games.

Alfonso Plummer has made 14 consecutive free throws.

Nelson Weidemann has made at least 1 three-pointer in 10 of his last 11 games.

Weidemann has made 12 consecutive free throws.

 

**Player Records against Opponent**

Tobias Jensen posted his career high in Defensive rebounds with 3 for ratiopharm Ulm against Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul on october 14, 2024.

 

**Team Record**

ratiopharm Ulm recorded its highest team Steals total in EuroCup play this season, 10, against Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul on october 14, 2024.

 

**Season Rankings**

Ben Saraf is ranked ninth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Assists with 4,9 per game.

Noa Essengue is ranked seventh among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Free Throws Made with 4,5 per game.

Nelson Weidemann is ranked first among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Free throws % with 100% per game.

Alfonso Plummer is ranked second among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers made with 2,7 per game.

Justinian Jessup is ranked third among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers made with 2,5 per game.

Marcio Santos is ranked second among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers % with 55,6% per game.

 

**All-time Rankings**

Thomas Klepeisz is ranked second on the all-time EuroCup charts with 284% assists-turnovers ratio % for his career.

 

 

### Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul

 

**Streaks**

Derek Needham has made at least 1 triple in 31 of his last 32 games.

Dustin Sleva has made at least 1 steal in 11 of his last 12 games.

Emanuel Terry has posted double-digit PIRs in eight of his last nine games.

Jonah Mathews has made at least 1 three-point shot in each of his 10 games this season.

Conor Morgan has made at least 1 three-point shot in 11 of his last 12 games.

Kelan Martin has made at least 1 three-pointer in six of his last seven games.

Martin has recorded at least 1 steal in five of his last six games.

 

**Player Records against Opponent**

Kerem Konan posted his career high in Blocks with 3 for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul against ratiopharm Ulm on october 14, 2024.

Dustin Sleva posted his career high in Index Rating with 26 for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul against ratiopharm Ulm on october 14, 2024.

Dustin Sleva posted his career high in Total rebounds with 7 for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul against ratiopharm Ulm on october 14, 2024.

Dustin Sleva posted his career high in 2-pointers made with 5 for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul against ratiopharm Ulm on october 14, 2024.

Dustin Sleva posted his career high in Defensive rebounds with 5 for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul against ratiopharm Ulm on october 14, 2024.

 

**Team Record**

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul recorded its highest team Points total in EuroCup play this century, 107, against ratiopharm Ulm on october 14, 2024.

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul recorded its highest team Index Rating total in EuroCup play this season, 130, against ratiopharm Ulm on october 14, 2024.

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul recorded its highest team 3-pointers made total in EuroCup play this season, 16, against ratiopharm Ulm on october 14, 2024.

 

**Season Rankings**

Dustin Sleva is ranked fifth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Steals with 1,8 per game.

Emanuel Terry is ranked fifth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 2-pointers % with 73,8% per game.

Derek Needham is ranked seventh among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers made with 2,3 per game.

Dustin Sleva is ranked second among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers % with 55,6% per game.

Yigit Arslan is ranked seventh among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers % with 52,2% per game.

Kelan Martin is ranked ninth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers % with 48,8% per game.

Emanuel Terry is ranked first among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Field goals % with 73,8% per game.

Emanuel Terry is ranked first among qualified EuroCup players this season in average True Shooting % with 73,7% per game.

 

**All-time Rankings**

Derek Needham is ranked fourth on the all-time EuroCup charts with 413 assists for his career.

Derek Needham is ranked third on the all-time EuroCup charts with 238 3-pointers made for his career.

Berk Ugurlu is ranked 10th on the all-time EuroCup charts with 255,1% assists-turnovers ratio % for his career.

Game Notes and Facts: Ulm vs. Besiktas

Veteran forward [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) (9.2 points per game on 48% three-point shooting) will hope his long-range shooting can cause problems for his former team, while dynamic guard [Yago dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) will look to stay hot after pairing 15 points and 7 assists to help overcome Maccabi last time out. Barca needs to bounce back from last week’s loss at Virtus, and will hope that big man [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) can deliver another strong performance after netting a season-high 14 points last time out. His battle alongside [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) with the fit-again [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/), who bagged 17 points and 6 rebounds in the win against Maccabi, could be decisive.

### FC Barcelona

**Streaks**

Jabari Parker has made at least 1 three-point shot in 17 straight games.

Parker has scored 11 points or more in eight of his last nine games.

Parker has grabbed 5 rebounds or more in eight of his last nine games.

Kevin Punter has made 16 consecutive free throws.

Punter has made at least 1 three-point shot in seven straight and 16 of his last 17 games. He has made multiple threes in six straight games.

Punter has scored in double figures in four straight games.

Jan Vesely has at least 1 steal in 12 of his last 13 games.

Justin Anderson has made at least 1 three-point shot in eight of his last nine games.

Nico Laprovittola has made at least 1 three-point shot in 19 straight games.

**Season rankings**

Kevin Punter ranks eighth in scoring with 16.9 points per game.

Punter is tied for seventh in steals with 1.3 per game.

Barcelona leads the league in assists with 20.8 per game.

Barcelona leads the league in steals with 8.2 per game.

Barcelona's defense has forced 13.5 turnovers per game, the second most in the league.

**Records/Milestones**

Tomas Satoransky ranks fourth all-time with a 2.8-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.

Jan Vesely is the all-time leader in two-pointers made with 1,551.

Vesely is in fourth place all-time with 651 offensive rebounds. Walter Tavares of Real Madrid is third with 656.

Vesely ranks fourth all-time with 1,762 rebounds. Felipe Reyes is third with 1,799.

Vesely ranks eighth all-time with 215 blocks. Tibor Pleiss is seventh with 228.

Vesely is sixth all-time with 3,999 points scored. Sergio Llull of Real Madrid is fifth with 4,048 and counting.

Vesely ranks second all-time with 5,065 index rating points. Nando De Colo of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne is the all-time leader with 5,222 and counting.

Vesely ranks fourth all-time with 361 steals. Rudy Fernandez is third with 367 steals.

Vesely ranks eighth all-time with 786 free throws made. Juan Carlos Navarro is seventh with 853.

Kevin Punter ranks 10th all-time in free-throw accuracy at 90.1%.

Youssoupha Fall ranks 14th all-time in two-point accuracy at 64.7%.

Nico Laprovittola needs 3 three-point shots made to reach 300 for his career.

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

**Streaks**

Filip Petrusev has at least 1 steal in eight of his last nine games.

Mike Daum has made all 23 of his free throws in his EuroLeague career.

Joel Bolomboy has double-digit PIRs in each of his last five games.

Bolomboy has pulled down at least 6 rebounds in eight straight games.

Nemanja Nedovic has made at least 1 three-pointer in seven of his last eight games.

Yago Dos Santos has made at least 1 three-pointer in seven of his last eight games.

Luka Mitrovic has double-digit PIRs in six consecutive games.

 

**Season rankings**

Codi Miller-Mcintyre is fifth in assists with 5.4 per game.

Nikola Kalinic ranks eighth in three-point accuracy at 48.0%.

Zvezda ranks third in assists with 20.2 per game.

Zvezda ranks third in three-point accuracy at 38.7%.

Zvezda defense holds opponents to 31.6% three-point shooting, the third-lowest in the league.

 

**Records/Milestones**

Milos Teodosic ranks sixth all-time with 586 three-pointers made. Rudy Fernandez is fifth with 594.

Teodosic is ranked fifth all-time in assists with 1,468. Vassilis Spanoulis is fourth with 1,607.

Teodosic ranks 12th all-time in career points scored with 3,383. Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul is 10th with 3,390 and counting.

Teodosic ranks 13th all-time in free throws made with 703. Sergio Llull of Real Madrid is 12th with 710 and counting.

Two direct rivals on the edge of the playoffs places look to strengthen their challenge as Barcelona (9-8) hosts Zvezda (9-8). 