Bold predictions: Rounds 12 and 13

Check out these bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Rounds 12 and 13 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Monaco will cement top contender status with two road wins

by Frankie Sachs

There was never any doubt that Monaco was aiming high this season. But after starting the season with back-to-back losses, questions were raised. Since then, Monaco has found its groove while incorporating Kemba Walker into the mix and welcoming back Jordan Loyd from injury. They have won four of their last five road games, with the lone defeat coming at the champs. This week, Monaco faces two tough road tests – at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and at Zalgiris Kaunas, on courts that hosted the last two Final Fours. Monaco has the depth to ride out two tough road games, the scorers to trouble any opponent and, in John Brown and Alpha Diallo, the lock-down defenders to foil other teams' attacks. And when it all comes together this week, Monaco will be knocking on the door of second place while opening up a cushion in the race for home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Partizan will make its move

by Frank Lawlor

Not to disagree with a colleague, but... I like Partizan's vibe right now. Of course, big man Frank Kaminsky, injured to open the week, will be missed. But if the rest of the team is healthy, and with Bruno Caboclo coming along strong at center, Partizan has the depth to compete with both Monaco on Tuesday and, 48 hours later, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. The key will be defense, which Partizan has played better at home, and can play better still, with the likes of James Nunnally, Mateusz Ponitka and Aleksa Avramovic all capable of putting the brakes on opponents. And that's about all it's going to take. Partizan was already second-ranked in scoring before team leader and clutch shot-maker Kevin Punter came back last week. And there is the small matter of 18,000 fans to inspire the home team and shake the eardrums of the visitors. Partizan is already 4-1 at home. Make it 6-1 at week's end and a spot in the top eight of the standings.

ASVEL will prevail in two different home arenas

by Igor Petrinovic

ASVEL, one of six teams playing two home games this week, doesn't have a home win yet this season. ASVEL is 0-4 so far in Villeurbanne, but since the arrival of head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco, all of its home losses were in dramatic fashion: a three-point decision against Virtus, a squandered double-digit lead against Baskonia, and most recently a double-OT loss against Bayern. But ASVEL has been very competitive away, too, as witnessed last week when FC Barcelona needed its best scoring night at home in four years to pull out a tough win. This week, ASVEL will not only get its first home win of the season, but it will win both games – one in each of its arenas. First, I see a resilient ASVEL beating Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv at the Astroballe, then doing the same against Valencia Basket in the beautiful new LDLC Arena, giving its fans a whole bunch of reasons to celebrate.

Valencia will use the double round to right its wrongs

by Geoff Gillingham

Holding a team meeting after a loss is a sign that things are not quite going to plan. Well, after Valencia Basket crumbled in the fourth quarter at home to Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 11, leading 70-67 after three quarters before being outscored 14-31 in the final period, head coach Alex Mumbru wanted to speak things through with his players.

Valencia, which started the season 5-1, is in the midst of a five-game losing streak and comes up against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade at La Fonteta in Round 12 on Wednesday before travelling to face LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 13 on Friday. I expect Valencia to improve to a very respectable 5-2 at home by beating Zvezda, which has yet to win on the road this season, and then make it two losses from two for ASVEL at its brand-new LDLC Arena. In the space of just a few days, those two wins will calm things down for Coach Mumbru's troops.

Virtus will double its fun at home

by Javier Gancedo

Virtus Segafredo Bologna is 5-1 at home this season, and despite playing against two true powerhouses this week, FC Barcelona and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, head coach Luca Banchi's team should finish with a fantastic 9-4 record. Virtus's best player, Toko Shengelia can find a lot of advantages at power forward due to his passing skills and trademark character. Virtus has the right defensive weapons to confront two teams full of talented guards, relying on Iffe Lundberg, Isaia Cordinier and Alessandro Pajola. Even when Barca center Jan Vesely and Maccabi big man Josh Nebo are very different, Virtus has versatility at the 'five' position with Bryant Dunston, Devontae Cacok and Jordan Mickey. Virtus fans are some of the biggest connoisseurs in the EuroLeague and know how to put pressure on the opponent. It should very hard for everyone, even for big teams like Barca and Maccabi. Expect Virtus to keep rolling.