Fantasy tips: Here we go again!

The 7DAYS EuroCup returns after a four-week break. Here are some players to consider for your fantasy teams.

The 7DAYS EuroCup returns after a four-week break and the action will be non-stop until a champion is crowned. There are five remaining regular season rounds to be played, followed by the knock-out rounds - make-or-break eighthfinals, quarterfinals, semifinals and of course, the championship game. Every game is important not just to qualify for the knock-out rounds, but to finish in the highest position possible for a better chance to have the home-court advantage in upcoming rounds. Joventut Badalona (11-2) has a two-win gap over everybody else and is more likely to play all its knock-out games at home than any other squad.

There have been some changes in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge. As you probably know, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar has been suspended until further notice, which means all of its players are out of the game and getting zero points. Players from teams going against Lokomotiv will get their average scores and in order to give every manager the same opportunities, unlimited trading is allowed before each round. It is a big change of strategy, giving managers endless possibilities from now until the end of the season.

As always, we have several recommendations before the Fantasy Challenge resumes. This time, we suggest a EuroCup champion looking to defend the crown, an athletic big man who has found his rhythm, a power forward seeing extended playing time, an up-and-coming forward ready to shine again and a young, yet experienced guard going against a team he has already played well against. Here they are:

Mathias Lessort, Partizan NIS Belgrade (13.1 credits) - Lessort is giving Partizan the boost it needed, offering his power, experience and effectiveness. It took him five games to become one of the team's leaders, averaging 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 rebounds and a PIR of 25.0. Expect him to keep going; he had a PIR of 23 against Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade in Adriatic League action this weekend.

Jalen Jones, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (9.3 credits) - Jones may surprise a lot of people when the EuroCup returns. He has played five games until now and was relatively quiet, averaging 8.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and a PIR of 8.0. Jones comes off a really good game in French League action (19 points, 8 rebounds, 24 PIR) and is ready to follow up with a big performance against Valencia.

Philipp Herkenhoff, ratiopharm Ulm (6.5 credits) - Ulm has been without starting center Cristiano Felicio for several weeks. Herkenhoff is a 2.09-meter power forward, but has switched to center to step up for him. He comes off a really big game in the German League (11 points, 9 rebounds and a PIR of 14 in 32 minutes). Keep an eye on him if Felicio remains sidelined.

Joel Parra, Joventut Badalona (8.3 credits) - Parra is already one of the young stars of the competition and is available at a relatively young price. He is averaging 11.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and a PIR of 13.1. Parra is a mismatch at the small forward spot due to his size, quickness and tremendous energy. Joventut needs him against a physical opponent like Andorra.

Diego Flaccadori, Dolomiti Energia Trento (7.9 credits) - Flaccadori had a career-high 22 points in Trento's 81-77 home victory against Slask in Round 5 plus 6 rebounds and 4 assists for a PIR of 18. He is averaging 10.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 12 games. It is a must-win game for both teams and Trento expects Flaccadori to make the difference with his leadership and versatility.