Paris Basketball beat Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 96-83 behind TJ Shorts's big double-double. 


Shorts makes Paris roll again 

[Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/roster/prs/?season=2024-25) shook off its first bad moment of the season, following a four-game losing streak with back-to-back home victories in Rounds 21 and 22. On Thursday, Paris raced to [a 96-83 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/paris-thrashes-maccabi-at-home-96-83/) over [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2024-25) at Adidas Arena, trailing only after the first basket of the game, a power layup by [Marial Shayok](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marial-shayok/011202/). [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) took matter into his own hands, getting 3 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in a 12-0 run that put Paris ahead for good, 12-2.

Shorts went to the bench but Paris kept rolling, taking a 26-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and extending it to 31-11 soon after that. Maccabi did not give up and managed to get within 64-55 late in the third quarter. Paris did not panic, however, as it knew it had to put the ball in Shorts's hands and expect good things to happen.

That is exactly what happened, as Shorts was all over the place in a 13-1 run that broke the game open. Shorts rescued his team with a driving layup, fed [Collin Malcolm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/collin-malcolm/012609/) for a fastbreak basket, found [Tyson Ward](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyson-ward/012610/) for a two-handed slam and beat the buzzer with a jumper that gave Paris a 72-56 margin after three quarters. Right after that, Shorts connected with Ward for a three-pointer, all in just 3 minutes.

TJ Shorts of Paris Basketball had 11 points and 14 assists in Round 22 against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

Shorts sets new season-high in assists

All of a sudden, Paris led 77-56 and was well on its way to its 12th victory. Shorts finished the game with 11 points and 14 assists, a new EuroLeague season-high. [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) of FC Bayern Munich, [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) of AS Monaco, [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) of Real Madrid, [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv had all had 12 assists at some point this season. It was Short's third double-double of the 2024-25 campaign.

Ward led six Paris players in double digits with 18 points. Shorts helped Paris finish the game with 22 assists - 5 more than Maccabi. Three-point shots made the difference, too. Maccabi made 6 of 19 attempts from downtown (31.6%) and Paris buried 12 of 18 three-point shots (42.9%). After the game, Shorts found out about his new career-high in assists and gave credit to his teammates for making it happen.

"It was a good all around team game from us. We are happy that we defended our home court over another tough double week. And the most important thing is that we got another win," Shorts said. "I would shout out my teammates for making shots because assists don't happen unless the guys around knock down shots or finish plays. So credit to them for helping me, I guess, break my own record."

Game Videos

Game News

Paris beat Maccabi 96-83 behind Shorts's big double-double


TJ Shorts made Paris roll again 

Paris Basketball v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2025-01-16T19:30:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade completed a perfect double-round week with a second successive road win in the Turkish Airline EuroLeague as the Serbia side brushed aside EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 70-90 and improved to 11-11. 

Partizan steamrolls Milan 70-90 through monster second half 

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade completed a perfect double-round week with a second successive road win in the Turkish Airline EuroLeague as the Serbia side brushed aside EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 70-90 and improved to 11-11.

Center Tyrique Jones racked up 22 points and 7 boards, while Sterling Brown sank a season-high 26 points and Carlik Jones added 24 for Partizan, which roared back from a 40-37 halftime deficit.

At the other end, Nikola Mirotic and Shavon Shields netted 16 points apiece and Leandro Bolmaro scored 14 for Milan, but the latter two amassed a mere 2 points between them in the second half as the hosts fell apart and dropped to 12-10.

The first quarter produced a rugged and physical battle as baskets were hard to come by amid strong defense at both ends, with Milan edging ahead 12-7 before Partizan hit back to tie the score, 17-17, at the end of the opening period.

It was a rollercoaster in the second as the lead changed hands several times before Milan took a 40-37 lead into the locker room a halftime, with Shields and Bolmaro running the show for the home team. The duo shot the lights out in the first half while Carlik and Tyrique Jones countered for the visitors, who were roared on by some 2,000 fervent away fans in the Unipol Forum.

Partizan gained the upper hand early in the second half as Brown took over and gave his markers a roasting on offense, making shots from all over to score 13 points in the third quarter and give the Serbian team a 55-64 lead before Giampaolo Ricci hit a three-pointer on the buzzer ahead of the final 10 minutes.

The tide had turned irretrievably, however, as Partizan hit top gear in the fourth and stretched the gap to 61-72 behind more good play from the unstoppable Brown, coupled with inspired performances from the Joneses and ironclad team defense.

Roared on by vocal away fans who made Partizan feel at home, the visiting team kept its foot on the gas until the very end and came away with another huge road win after dismantling LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 62-93 on Tuesday. 

Zeljko Obradovic's charges fired on all cylinders after the break and edged closer to the postseason picture 

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2025-01-16T19:30:00.000Z)

In a game that came down to the wire, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne bounced back from a tough home loss against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade with a hard-fought overtime victory over visiting ALBA Berlin, 96-89, at the Astroballe in Round 22 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

ASVEL survives ALBA, 96-89, in overtime thriller

In a game that came down to the wire, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne bounced back from a tough home loss against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade with a hard-fought overtime victory over visiting ALBA Berlin, 96-89, at the Astroballe on Thursday night. The hosts enjoyed double-digit leads several times during the game before Malte Delow sent the game to overtime with a three-pointer. ASVEL didn’t tremble and found Edwin Jackson and Theo Maledon in the extra period to secure the win. ASVEL improved its record to 10-12, while ALBA slipped to 3-19 after its ninth straight defeat.

Jackson led ASVEL with 18 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting, Theo Maledon followed with 17 points and 4 assists, Melvin Ajinca netted 11 points and Nando De Colo and Andre Roberson scored 10 apiece. Matt Thomas paced ALBA with 20 points, Martin Hermannsson neared a double-double with 13 points and 9 assists and Delow, Yanni Wetzell, and David McCormack contributed 11, 10 and 10 respectively.

Maledon and Ajinca set the tone offensively for ASVEL in the early going, finding no big problems to dismantle ALBA’s soft defense and build an 11-6 edge after 5 minutes. ALBA found more balance when it brought Wetzell onto court, as he combined with Tim Schneider inside to make it a one-possession game. Thomas provided ALBA with his first strike from downtown to tie it, 15-15, but the visitors couldn’t go further and allowed a 6-0 run that Jackson completed with a buzzer-beater jumper that granted a 23-19 advantage for the hosts at the end of the first period.

Jackson remained hot early in the second with back-to-back threes to build a double-digit margin, 29-19. But the run didn’t stop here, as Shaq Harrison made a bucket and Roberson drilled a three to extend the run to 13-0 and force a timeout with the hosts comfortably ahead 34-19. The break was like medicine for the visitors, as Hermannsson and Schneider opened fire from downtown and Thomas joined later to ignite a 3-14 run that seemed to bring ALBA back into the game. Maledon had different plans, though. He stepped up, first scoring 5 points in a row, then feeding De Colo for a three and finally beating the buzzer with his first triple to close the first half with ASVEL again in control 50-40.

ALBA came up much stronger after the intermission, holding ASVEL scoreless for more than 3 minutes while finding good balance in offense with McCormack ruling inside and Thomas punishing from long range. A three by the latter made it 54-52 midway through the third quarter but, again, ALBA couldn’t go much further. This time was Ajinca, who emerged as a real threat in the perimeter to recover a 10-point lead, 65-55, in a blink of an eye. And later, when Thomas and Hermannsson seemed to reactivate the visitors again, it was Harrison who came up with a huge block and back-to-back triples to help ASVEL enter the last stanza leading 70-62.

Wetzell and ALBA took advantage of Paul Mbiya's lack of experience to strike back once again, once the game resumed. The center provided 4 points, Gabriele Procida finished a fastbreak with a slam and Will McDowell-White rose up with back-to-back threes that turned the tables and pushed ALBA up, 72-74, for the first time in the game. ASVEL didn’t panic, though, as Mbiya and David Lighty showed up right before Jackson capped a 9-2 run to return the lead to ASVEL, 81-76. But another script twist was still left, as Delow erupted in the last 2 minutes to erase the deficit to 83-82 first, then nailing a miraculous triple. Fouled on that made three, which tied it at 85-85, Delow had a chance to put ALBA ahead with 7 seconds left, but missed the bonus free throw and the game went to overtime.

Maledon opened fire with an acrobatic layup to get ASVEL going in overtime, as Ajinca took over inside to convert a free throw after an offensive rebound. ALBA did not score in the first 2 and a half minutes, which the hosts exploited to earn a 91-85 edge after another huge three by Jackson. Neal Sako increased it to 93-88 soon after from the line, as Hermannsson and McCormack missed on the next two possessions, ruining the few chances ALBA still had of coming back. Then Maledon sealed the outcome with 3 free throws.

Jackson, Maledon played key roles for the winners with 35 combined points

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v ALBA Berlin (2025-01-16T19:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus stood strong at the top of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings with an emphatic 86-96 win at Real Madrid in the latest instalment of the Rivalry Series

Olympiacos dominates Real in statement-making win, 86-96

Olympiacos Piraeus stood strong at the top of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings with an emphatic 86-96 win at Real Madrid in the latest instalment of the Rivalry Series. The Reds improve to 16-6 with a seven-game winning run, while Real suffered its first loss of 2025 to drop to 12-10.

A 1-14 first quarter run gave Olympiacos the early edge, which the visitors held into the interval at 38-47. The lead grew to 19 points by the end of the third, and Real’s late 10-0 run wasn’t nearly enough. Evan Fournier led the way with five triples in his total of 28 points, Sasha Vezenkov and Shaq McKissic added 13 apiece, Nikola Milutinov combined 13 points with 8 rebounds, and Luca Vildoza netted 11. Mario Hezonja paced Real with 15 points, with Dzanan Musa netting 14 and Walter Tavares pairing 10 points with 8 boards.

Tavares started out with a three-point play, and scored again in a 6-0 run only answered by Fournier’s triple as the host raced ahead, 9-3. But the Reds came roaring back with triples from Vezenkov and Kostas Papanikolaou, before a three-point play from Fournier and Vildoza’s threeball made it 12-19 after a 1-14 run. Usman Garuba’s inside score was bettered by another Papanikolaou deep strike, before Musa scored 5 straight points to make it 19-22 after ten minutes.

Fournier stayed hot with a layup to start the second quarter, answered by Hezonja’s driving score. Olympiacos stayed ahead with Milutinov’s dunk, 21-30. Hezonja’s tough bucket was followed by two more scores for Milutinov, including a showtime slam. Andres Feliz and the fired-up Hezonja pulled Real closer, but McKissic’s triple reignited the Reds for a 29-37 lead. Hezonja stayed hot with a deep three, but Vildoza responded immediately with his own triple. Vezenkov also connected from long-range, and it was 38-47 at the break.

Nigel Williams-Goss opened the second half scoring from close-range, and then responded to a pair of baskets from Tavares with a couple of three-pointers, before Vezenkov’s layup made it 44-57. Real’s discomfort was reflected in a quick pair of technical fouls, and Vezenkov hit a three for a 46-61 lead. Real responded with a 6-0 run featuring scores from Musa and Facu Campazzo. Fournier, twice, and Vildoza hit right back with a trio of triples, and Fournier was again on target from deep to make it 54-73 with ten minutes left.

Milutinov’s ferocious slam and Fournier’s midrange jumper extended the lead, before Real gave itself hope with Sergio Llull’s threeball and Hezonja’s tough score. But Fournier hit yet another threeball and Milutinov added a jumper for a 63-83 edge. McKissic also hit from long-range, but Real kept battling with threes from Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Llull, and a fastbreak slam for Garuba to make it 75-86. Rathan-Mayes again hit from deep, but Milutinov’s floater sealed the deal.

The Reds from Piraeus showed exactly why they sit atop the standings with a formidable performance

Real Madrid v Olympiacos Piraeus (2025-01-16T19:45:00.000Z)

TJ Shorts dished 14 assists, a new season-high! 


Paris thrashes Maccabi at home, 96-83! 

Paris Basketball rounded out a perfect week by downing Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 96-83 at Adidas Arena in Round 22 on Thursday. Paris improved to 13-8 in the standings while Maccabi dropped to 5-17 and is now on a four-game losing streak. 

Tyson Ward led the winners with 18 points. Nadir Hifi added 15, Mikael Jantunen 13 and TJ Shorts, Collin Malcolm and Maodo Lo scored 11 apiece for Paris. Shorts added 14 assists, a new EuroLeague season-high, for a double-double. Rokas Jokubaitis and Jaylen Hoard led Maccabi with 16 points apiece. Roman Sorkin and Levi Randolph each scored 10 for the visitors.

Marial Shayok got Maccabi going wih a power layup off the baseline. Jantunen answered from downtown and Kevarrius Hayes added an alley-oop slam for a 5-2 Paris lead. Malcolm stepped up with a reverse layup, Ward followed that with a put-back basket and Shorts's jumper made Maccabi call timeout at 12-2. Hifi bettered Hoard's fastbreak dunk with a triple and Yakuba Ouattara soon gave Paris a 17-6 lead. Tamir Blatt buried a three-pointer in transition and fed Hoard for a fastbreak layup, good for a 17-11 Maccabi deficit. Ouattara kept pacing Paris before Ward and Malcolm each struck from beyond the arc to boost the hosts to 26-11 after 10 minutes.                                                                     

Jantunen joined the three-point shootout early in the second quarter and Ward's backdoor layup made it a 20-point game, 31-11. Malcolm capped a 15-0 run from the foul line. Trevion Williams hit a jumper, getting help from Blatt and Randolph to bring Maccabi within 32-18. Hoard capped a 0-9 run with a power layup, as Lo rescued Paris with a three-point play. Shayok followed a three-pointer with a baseline jumper before Jokubaitis got Maccabi even closer, 35-27. Hifi struck from beyond the arc and fed Leopold Cavalieri for a dunk that made the guests call timeout at 42-29. Ward and Sorkin traded layups before Malcolm's triple restored a 47-31 Paris lead. Ward and Jasiel Rivero traded free throws to fix the halftime score at 49-33. 

Jantunen took over with a put-back layup soon after the break. Ward and Randolph traded baskets. Hayes scored down low before Blatt's floater made it 55-37. Shorts ignited the crowd with an electric driving layup, which Jokubaitis matched with a tip-in. Randolph followed a baseline jumper with a fastbreak layup, but Shorts and Hifi kept Paris way ahead, 64-44. Hoard tried to change things with a three-point play and Sorkin struck twice from beyond the arc in an 0-11 run that got Maccabi within 64-55. Shorts stepped up with a driving layup, fed Malcolm for a fastbreak basket, found Ward for a two-handed slam and beat the buzzer with a jumper that gave Paris a 72-56 margin after three quarters.

  

Ward sank a corner triple early in the fourth quarter and Jantunen's backdoor layup kept Paris way ahead, 77-56. Jokubaitis buried his trademark mid-range jumper, which John DiBartolomeo followed with one from beyond the arc. Jantunen answered from downtown, but Jokubaitis erased that with a wild three-point play and DiBartolomeo got the visitors within 80-66. Lo rescued Paris with a layup-plus-foul and added a triple that broke the game open, 86-66. Hoard scored again and Jokubaitis added back-to-back baskets, but Hifi and Lo kept the hosts fully in charge, 90-72. Paris started to use longer possessions to run the game clock down and sealed the outcome long before the final buzzer. 

TJ Shorts dished a season-high 14 assists


Paris thrashes Maccabi at home, 96-83

A career-high performance in a record-breaking victory allowed Facundo Campazzo of Real Madrid to earn Round 21 MVP honors with a PIR of 43.

Round 21 MVP: Facundo Campazzo, Real Madrid

A career-high performance in a record-breaking victory allowed [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) of [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) to earn Round 21 MVP honors with a PIR of 43.

Campazzo led Real to [a 116-113 home victory over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-edged-maccabi-in-record-breaking-game-116-113/) in what was the highest-scoring non-overtime game in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history. He had a season-high 31 points on 5-of-7 two-pointers, 4-of-7 three-pointers and 9-of-10 free throws, adding 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and 8 fouls drawn for a PIR of 43, a new career high. Campazzo earned MVP of the Round honors for the third time in his career and is the second Real player to achieve this feat this season, as Walter Tavares was Round 12's MVP with a PIR of 39 in a 90-97 road victory over FC Barcelona.

[Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade amassed a PIR of 29 in his team's 62-93 road victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Jones had 22 points on 9-of-10 two-pointers, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, a block and 6 fouls drawn. 

[Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/) of Olympiacos Piraeus each had a PIR of 28 in Round 21. Mirotic led Milan to a 100-68 home win over ALBA Berlin with 21 points on 3-of-3 two-pointers and 4-of-7 three-pointers, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 4 fouls drawn. Williams-Goss had 19 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 9 fouls drawn in a 101-102 overtime road win over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. 

[Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) of Virtus Segafredo Bologna, [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/) of FC Barcelona, each with a PIR of 27, complete the top individual performances in Round 21.

### Individual highs: Facundo Campazzo, Real Madrid, 31 points 

Facundo Campazzo of Real Madrid was this round's top scorer with 31 points. [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) of Olympiacos is the new scoring leader with 20.5 points per game.

Efes center Vincent Poirier led all rebounders by pulling down 11 in Round 21. [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) of Real Madrid ranks first overall with 7.7 boards per night.

[Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) of Partizan dished a round-high 9 assists. [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) of Maccabi is the EuroLeague's assists leader with 7.8 dimes per game.

Partizan center Tyrique Jones collected 4 steals, more than anyone in Round 21. [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) of FC Bayern Munich leads the overall standings with 1.7 steals per contest.

Another Partizan player, [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/), had 3 blocks in this round. Poirier and [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) of AS Monaco are tied atop the standings (1.33 bpg.), with Tavares right behind (1.29 bpg.)

Three players had respective double-doubles in Round 21: Poirier (14 points, 11 rebounds), Baskonia’s [Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donta-hall/011196/) (11 rebounds, 10 assists) and Panathinaikos’s [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) (12 points, 10 rebounds).

The Argentine is the MVP of the Round for the third time in his career

Real Madrid v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2025-01-14T19:45:00.000Z)

Real Madrid has announced the signing of Dennis Smith Jr on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Real Madrid signs ex-NBA guard Dennis Smith Jr

[Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) has announced the signing of Dennis Smith Jr on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season. He will wear the No. 4 jersey.

Smith (1.91 meters, 27 years old) has spent his entire career in the NBA to date, most recently averaging 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 56 games for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2023-24 campaign.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">Comunicado Oficial: Dennis Smith Jr.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMBaloncesto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RMBaloncesto</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeSmithJr?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeSmithJr</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1879836514655293910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Across seven seasons in the NBA, the American point guard suited up for the Dallas Mavericks (2017-18), New York Knicks (2018-21), Detroit Pistons (2021), Portland Trail Blazers (2021-22), Charlotte Hornets (2022-23), and Brooklyn (2023-24).

He has played 326 games in the NBA, posting career averages of 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals after being the ninth pick overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.

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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/C97443uJ7g6/?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 Dennis Smith Jr. (June) (@desmith4)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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As well as being a teammate of current Real Madrid forward [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) on the Knicks (2018-19), Smith suited up alongside a couple of *Los Blancos*' former players in [Salah Mejri](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/salah-mejri/005196/) (2017-18) and [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-doncic/005929/) (2018-19) with the Mavs.

In addition, his NBA career saw him play with a few current Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars, including Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's [Frank Ntilikina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/frank-ntilikina/006591/) (Knicks, 2018-21), LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne's [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) (Hornets, 2022-23) and Zalgiris Kaunas's [Lonnie Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lonnie-walker-iv/013403/) (Nets, 2023-24).

More Real Madrid News

He comes to Europe for the first time in his career

The action keeps on coming as the latest double-round week concludes with Round 22, including a rematch of last season’s semifinal. This is what we can enjoy on Thursday and Friday.

At a glance: The double-round fun continues in Round 22

The action keeps on coming as the latest double-round week concludes with Round 22, including a rematch of last season’s semifinal. This is what we can enjoy on Thursday and Friday.

## Thursday, January 16

### LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. ALBA Berlin (20:00 CET)

Two teams who suffered heavy losses in Round 21 will look to restore confidence as ASVEL (9-12) hosts ALBA (3-18). The German team has the worst defense in the league with 91.9 points per game allowed, which could be just the tonic for the home team after putting just 62 points on the board in Tuesday’s home defeat to Partizan. That game saw key man [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) suffer a rare bad night with 0-of-6 field goals converted, and the only ASVEL player to reach double digits was [Melvin Ajinca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/melvin-ajinca/010316/) (14 points), who poses a long-range threat with 40.4% of triples converted this season. ALBA has lost eight in a row and confidence will be fragile following Tuesday’s 31-point battering at Milan, when only [Yanni Wetzell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yanni-wetzell/011934/) (13 points and 7 rebounds) emerged with much credit.

### Paris Basketball vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (20:30 CET)

Having ended a long losing run on Tuesday, Paris (12-8) is aiming for a second win of the week against struggling Maccabi (5-16). The Israeli team’s porous defense led to another loss despite pouring in 113 points – led by 20 points from [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/) – at Real Madrid two days ago, and now faces the task of slowing down [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) after the Paris playmaker posted 17 points and 8 assists to help overcome Efes last time out. That game also saw [Mikael Jantunen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mikael-jantunen/012613/) find form with a pair of triples in his total of 10 points, after previously missing 22 consecutive three-point attempts over a seven-game span, and the Finnish forward will look to further build his confidence against a Maccabi team which has allowed an average of 107 points over the last three games.

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (20:30 CET)

After gaining big wins on Tuesday, Milan (12-9) and Partizan (10-11) will look to maintain momentum and complete a perfect week. Milan enjoyed more magic from [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) to thrash ALBA last time out, with the relentlessly consistent forward maintaining his MVP candidacy with 21 points on 7-of-9 field goal shooting. [Leandro Bolmaro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/leandro-bolmaro/008985/) also excelled with 11 points and 8 assists, and he faces a great backcourt matchup with [Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) after the Partizan playmaker dished 9 assists without a turnover in Tuesday’s thrashing of ASVEL. His namesake [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) also enjoyed a great game inside the paint, netting 22 points on 9-of-10 two-pointers and snaring 4 steals, and the visiting big man’s bruising encounter with Milan dynamo [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/) (15.5 points and 4.5 boards per game) could be crucial.

Round 22 Head-to-Head: Leday vs. Davies

### Real Madrid vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:45 CET)

A heavyweight battle will see one long unbeaten run ended as Real Madrid (12-9) hosts league leader Olympiacos (15-6). The Spanish side has won six in a row following Tuesday’s remarkable shootout against Maccabi, which saw key offensive talents [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (31 points, 8 assists), [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) (25 points) and [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) (20 points) all make big contributions. Campazzo faces a battle against former Real guard [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/), who will continue to lead Olympiacos’s backcourt in the absence of the injured [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/). Willams-Goss had a career night with personal bests of 8 assists and 28 PIR in Tuesday’s overtime win at Baskonia – the Reds’ fifth consecutive triumph – and will look to provide more ammunition for the unstoppable [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) (20.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game).

Round 22 Head-to-Head: Musa vs. Fournier

## Friday, January 17

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (18:45 CET)

High-flying Fenerbahce (13-7) will aim for a fourth straight victory with a visit from a Zalgiris team (11-10) targeting a second win of the week. The Turkish team is firing on all cylinders offensively, averaging 90 points during its current winning streak with the inevitable [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) making 8 of his 13 three-point attempts in the last two games. [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) has also found form with four straight games of double-digit scoring, and he will try to control the tempo against Zalgiris team which rediscovered its best defense in Wednesday’s win over Virtus. That triumph ended a four-game losing streak for Andrea Trinchieri’s team, which will again rely heavily on [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) after his 20-points contribution on 5-of-8 three-point shooting earlier this week.

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. AS Monaco (20:00 CET)

Two of Wednesday’s beaten teams will seek instant redemption as Zvezda (12-9) hosts Monaco (13-8) for a meeting of two of the nine teams separated by just one win between second and tenth place. Visiting coach Vassilis Spanoulis will demand a defensive improvement after seeing his team allow 98 and 95 points in the last two games, while counting on [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) to continue his offensive leadership after netting 20 points in Wednesday’s late loss at Bayern. Zvezda will also look to tighten up, having allowed 96 points to Fenerbahce two days ago. That game saw [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/)’s best performance of the season with 23 points, so he will be determined to exploit any ongoing weakness in the Monaco defense.

Round 22 Head-to-Head: Miller-McIntyre vs. James

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (20:30 CET)

Boosted by Wednesday’s dramatic win over Monaco on the back of [Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/)’s game-winning three, Bayern (12-9) will look to complete a perfect week by downing Virtus (6-15). The German team’s backcourt trio of Napier, [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) and fit-again [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) combined for 60 points on 12-of-18 three-point shooting, so Virtus will need all the defensive nous of Daniel Hackett to limit the host’s offense. The Italian team was happy to welcome back leader [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) after injury for Wednesday’s trip to Zalgiris, but the power forward’s 12 points and 7 rebounds were not enough to prevent defeat – partly thanks to a poor long-range shooting night, with Virtus making just 4 triples. [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) and [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/) went a combined 0-of-7 from deep, and must improve to grab a road win in Munich.

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CET)

Two teams aiming to avoid a pair of double round defeats go head-to-head, with Baskonia (8-13) welcoming Panathinaikos (13-8). The Greens suffered Spain elsewhere in Spain by losing at Barcelona on Wednesday, and will look to regain their usual offensive fluency after being restricted to 73 points, with scoring star [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) making just 3 of his 15 field goals for 7 points. Baskonia has lost three in a row and fatigue could be a factor for Pablo Laso’s men after going down in overtime against Olympiacos on Tuesday, when [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/timothe-luwawu-cabarrot/012080/) produced by far his best game of the season with 25 points. Panathinaikos cruised home, 104-69, when the teams met in Round 17 on a night marred by serious injury to [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), so Baskonia knows just how hard its task is.

### FC Barcelona vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:45 CET)

Surging Barcelona (12-9) will look to secure a fourth straight win against struggling Efes (10-11). The Spanish team found its defensive identity to down reigning champ Panathinaikos two days ago, with the offensive spark provided by 25 points from [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/), while [Dario Brizuela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dario-brizuela/009992/) maintained his good form with 15 points. Efes, in contrast, is looking to bounce back after a run of four consecutive losses, most recently going down at Paris on Tuesday night despite 21 points from consistent swingman [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/). The Turkish team has not won on the road for more than two months, and will need big man [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) – a familiar face at Palau Blaugrana following his spell with Real Madrid – to deliver another strong performance after his double-double of 14 points and 11 boards against Paris.

Round 22 Head-to-Head: Punter vs. Bryant

There are several mouth-watering clashes to feast your eyes on between Thursday and Friday

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Zalgiris Kaunas (2025-01-17T17:45:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v AS Monaco (2025-01-17T19:00:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-01-17T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-01-17T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-01-17T19:45:00.000Z)

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 21st winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! Ignas Stancikas beat everyone else in Round 21 with their team 'Muchachas', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 242.70.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 21 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 21st winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Ignas Stancikas beat everyone else in Round 21 with their team 'Muchachas', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 242.70.

Ignas had the following starting lineup: Facundo Campazzo of Real Madrid as team captain, Olympiacos Piraeus's Shaquielle McKissic, then Zach LeDay of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Filip Petrusev of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Vincent Poirier of Anadolu Efes Istanbul. His sixth man was Isaia Cordinier of Virtus Segafredo Bologna. On the bench, Ignas had David McCormack of ALBA Berlin, Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Andrejs Grazulis of Virtus and Giampaolo Ricci of Milan. His team's head coach was Milan play-caller Ettore Messina.

The prize for finishing first in Round 21 is a free VIP Euroleague TV subscription for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Ignas!

Marko Dukic and his team 'Kughat' remains the leader of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/) overall standings with 3,635.24 points.

Trades are now open for Round 22. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season. You can either trade up to four players, or a head coach and three players.

The first game in Round 22 tips off on Thursday, January 16, as LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne hosts ALBA Berlin at 20:00 CET. That game marks the next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner!

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager. 