Check out some bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 32 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.
Bold predictions for Round 32
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5 Mins read
Maccabi will complete a perfect March
by Frankie Sachs
The Israeli champs went through a rough patch with three straight losses between Rounds 25 and 27 that saw them tumble down to 10th in the standings, casting doubt on whether Maccabi could even stay in the hunt to reach the Play-In Showdown. Five straight wins later, head coach Oded Kattash's men are in a different place (seventh) with the possibility of reaching the top six very much alive. For that to happen, however, Maccabi will likely need to win out. It shan't be easy against a Valencia side hunting a play-in spot of its own, but Valencia is ailing and Maccabi is red hot. Wade Baldwin and Josh Nebo should deliver Maccabi a win on Wednesday to make it the lone undefeated team in March.
Milan will conquer Zalgirio Arena
by Javier Gancedo
It is a make-or-break game for both teams in the crowded battle for 10th place. Zalgiris Kaunas hosts EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Round 32's opener. Zalgiris is undefeated against Italian teams this season and took a 13-point victory over Milan in Round 11. It is a very different Milan team this time around. First, it will be Shavon Shields's first visit to Zalgirio Arena since 2021, and he arrives in great shape. Nikola Mirotic has also found his rhythm, and the fact that Rolands Smits has been out for two games gives Milan an advantage at power forward. Head coach Ettore Messina can use Mirotic, Nicolo Melli and even Johannes Voigtmann against Brady Manek and Arnas Butkevicius. Stopping Keenan Evans should be Milan's main goal but the guests have enough defensive weapons such as Stefano Tonut and Devon Hall. Milan should be on its way to a fourth victory in five games.
Olympiacos to all but end Partizan's play-in hopes
by Geoff Gillingham
We are well and truly at the business end of the campaign, where each win feels like it is worth double and each loss has the possibility to derail a season's work. There are just three regular-season games remaining and a heavyweight clash at Stark Arena could have major implications, with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade chasing a play-in spot and Olympiacos Piraeus aiming to stay in the top six, which ensures direct qualification to the playoffs. Partizan has blown hot and cold too often this season, hence it's 11th place in the standings, and I think the hosts will have another frustrating night against Olympiacos, which boasts the No. 1 defense in the EuroLeague. The Reds have won seven of their last eight games and I think they'll gain a greater stranglehold on a top-six spot by effectively ending Partizan's postseason hopes on Thursday night. Depending on other results, a win on Thursday could see the Reds confirm their playoff place by the end of Round 32, as well.
Bayern will prolong Barca's wait
by Frank Lawlor
FC Bayern and FC Barcelona have lost two games in a row and three of their last five, the former to face possible elimination this week and the latter to postpone its entry into the playoffs and jeopardize its chances of home-court advantage. So which will be hungrier when the meet in Munich on Thursday? I say Bayern, which is one win off a group of four teams tied for 10th place, the last Play-In Showdown spot. Of those four, Bayern swept one, Partizan, and split with the others, Milan, Efes and Valencia, though losing the point difference in each of those. A win on Thursday puts Bayern right back in the mix, and is it's best chance of surviving. Pablo Laso's squad has played really well in stretches this season and would be even better positioned except for a key missed shot or two recently. Also, Bayern suffered a 39-point whupping in Barcelona back in Round 4, and any EuroLeague team worth its name will want to rectify that by winning back against the same team. Bayern pride has to matter a lot on Thursday.
Efes will prevail at feel-good Buesa Arena
by Igor Petrinovic
After a double-round success last week, and wins over Olympiacos and ALBA, the latter one in a thriller, Efes goes to Vitoria-Gasteiz hoping to continue its late postseason push. The Buesa Arena is a place of many great memories for Efes players. Shane Larkin, Rodrigue Beaubois and Tibor Pleiss all played for Baskonia in the past and feel respect from the local fans. All three, alongside Efes head coach Tomislav Mijatovic, reached the championship game there in 2019. They lost the title to their current teammate Will Clyburn, playing for CSKA Moscow at the time, who won the Final Four MVP honor at Buesa Arena. This game feels like it's must-win for both teams. Baskonia will mathematically secure a Play-In Showdown spot with a win and inch it closer to hosting at least one play-in game. But I believe that Efes will be the one celebrating at the end of the night. Efes has scored 102 or more points in four of its last five road games against Baskonia, and I think that Larkin and Clyburn will have its offense clicking once again at Buesa Arena on Thursday night.