AS Monaco remained atop the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season standings by downing ALBA Berlin 90-105 in the German capital in Round 19 on Thursday

Monaco beats ALBA again, 90-105 

AS Monaco remained atop the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season standings by downing ALBA Berlin 90-105 in the German capital in Round 19 on Thursday. Monaco improved to 13-6 in the standings while ALBA dropped to 3-16. 

Mike James led the winners with 23 points and 7 assists. Matthew Strazel added 18 points. Jaron Blossomgame scored 17, Elie Okobo 13, Jordan Loyd 12 and Donatas Motiejunas 11. Matt Thomas and Yanni Wetzell paced ALBA with 17 points apiece. Tim Schneider and Matteo Spagnolo each added 13 for the hosts.

Game Videos

James attacked the baseline for a layup on the game’s opening possession before Thomas got ALBA on the scoreboard with a triple. David McCormack threw down a monster slam and Will McDowell-White drilled a triple as ALBA went in front 8-5. Vitto Brown and Strazel heated up as Monaco raced back in front. Strazel’s second three made it 10-15 midway through the opening quarter. Nick Calathes made his Monaco debut and promptly blocked Wetzell from behind. James went off for 8 straight points – including Calathes's first 2 assists of the season – to give Monaco a double-digit lead. Schneider ended the ALBA drought and Spagnolo added a jumper. Nevertheless, Monaco continued to roll as Blossomgame converted a three-point play on the break and the visitors finished the quarter up 21-30. 

Wetzell beat the shot clock with a layup early in the second quarter. Loyd erased that with a jumper that Okobo followed with a three-pointer for a 23-35 Monaco lead. Motiejunas stepped up with a put-back layup and Strazel's wild four-point play broke the game open, 23-41. Spagnolo swished consecutive mid-range jumpers and Elias Rapieque added a power layup, but Loyd and Brown kept Monaco comfortably ahead, 29-46. James buried a floater in traffic, Spagnolo and Okobo traded layups before McCormack's put-back basket brought ALBA within 33-50. Georgios Papagiannis took over with an alley-oop slam and a tip-in, boosting Monaco's lead to 35-55 at halftime. 

 

Game News

Schneider buried a corner triple soon after the break and Thomas bettered Motiejunas's layup with a four-point play to bring ALBA within 42-57. James found Blossomgame for a backdoor layup and Strazel improved on McCormack's put-back slam with a bomb from downtown for a 44-61 Monaco lead. Thomas struck twice from beyond the arc and got help from Schneider to give ALBA hope at 55-66. Okobo stepped up with a driving layup and matched Wetzell's dunk with free throws. Schneider kept pushing the hosts and Wetzell dunked again to make it a single-digit game, 71-70. After Loyd sank a three-pointer, Rapieque and Okobo traded layups. Wetzell scored in penetration for a 65-75 ALBA deficit. James and Loyd boosted the visitors' lead to 67-79 at the end of the third quarter.

Strazel nailed his fourth three-pointer early in the fourth quarter and banked in another one to boost Monaco's margin to 69-85. Motiejunas scored twice around the basket, Jonas Mattisseck answered from downtown and Malte Delow carried ALBA to within 73-89. Spagnolo scored in penetration and Mattisseck insisted from beyond the arc, causing Monaco to call timeout at 79-89. After Blossomgame buried a three-pointer, Procida answered with an alley-oop layup and Spagnolo sank a triple off the glass to bring ALBA as close as 84-92. Procida took over with a put-back layup that James bettered with a corner triple. Wetzell and Blossomgame traded free throws, James split attempts and Thomas got ALBA within 90-98 with 1:46 left. Blossomgame sealed the outcome with a bomb from downtown, as ALBA never recovered after that.

Jaron Blossomgame stood out in crunch time to stop ALBA's comeback


Monaco beats ALBA again, 90-105

ALBA Berlin v AS Monaco (2025-01-02T19:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus extended its unbeaten run to four games by defeating Zalgiris Kaunas 85-92 at Zalgirio Arena on Thursday night

Olympiacos rallies to down Zalgiris, 85-92

Olympiacos Piraeus extended its unbeaten run to four games by defeating Zalgiris Kaunas 85-92 at Zalgirio Arena on Thursday night. The hosts fired on all cylinders before the break to take a 52-40 lead into the second half, where Olympiacos bounced back by tightening up its defense and outscoring Zalgiris 33-52 to turn the game around. With this win, the Reds improved their record to 13-6, with Zalgiris dropping to 10-9.

Sasha Vezenkov led all scorers with 24 points, 19 of which came in the second half. Shaquielle McKissic netted 17, Evan Fournier had 14 and Thomas Walkup bagged a season-high 13 points. Sylvain Francisco paced Zalgiris with 22 points, Deividas Sirvydis scored 12 and Bryant Dunston netted 10, with Lonnie Walker and Alen Smailagic adding 11 each.

Zalgiris started strong, with Walker and Dunston scoring inside before back-to-back triples from Francisco gave the hosts a 10-4 lead. Francisco netted his third three to take his tally to 12 early points, but Walkup scored twice in the paint to cut the difference to 18-10. Kostas Papanikolaou and Vezenkov netted from deep, but Edgaras Ulanovas responded with a four-point play to restore a 22-16 lead. Then, Walkup bagged his fourth bucket of the first quarter to make it 22-18 after 10 minutes.

Walker got Zalgiris going in the second quarter by scoring his team's first 6 points, including a four-point play to restore a 28-20 lead. Brady Manek and Francisco nailed back-to-back threes, but McKissic responded with one of his own, trimming the deficit to 34-28. McKissic took his tally to 9 points off the bench with a layup before an alley-oop dunk from Nikola Milutinov made it 36-32. Smailagic also opened his account from inside before drilling a triple that extended Zalgiris’s lead to 41-32. A Walker triple was followed by Fournier’s three-point play before a three from the Olympiacos forward slashed the difference to 44-40. Yet, Smailagic nailed a midrange jumper before triples from Sirvydis and Francisco restored a 52-40 lead at halftime, with Zalgiris’s point tally being tied for the third-highest scoring first half of any team in the league this season.

Dunston and Vezenkov traded scores inside twice to open the third quarter before a Walkup layup and a couple of free throws from the Olympiacos forward cut the difference to single digits, 56-48. Four unanswered points from Fall were followed by an open layup from Francisco, but Fournier netted a three and Vezenkov scored inside to bring the visitors within 60-58. Two buckets from Smailagic sandwiched a Fournier triple before Sirvydis made 2 of 3 from the line to make it 66-61. Then, Sirvydis nailed a tough triple, but Fournier scored a turnaround jumper that cut the difference to 71-67 heading into the closing quarter.

Olympiacos opened the fourth with a 0-13 surge, as Vezenkov and McKissic nailed a triple each and Milutinov added 4 points to his tally to put their team ahead for the first time, 71-80. Dunston pulled off a tough finish inside to end Olympiacos’s run before a triple from Arnas Butkevicius cut the difference to 76-80. After Vezenkov and Sirvydis traded buckets, a layup from McKissic and a triple from Walkup restored a 78-87 lead. Zalgiris didn’t give up, with Sirvydis scoring inside and Butkevicius drilling a triple that trimmed the deficit to 83-87 with 1:31 left on the clock. Ignas Brazdeikis didn’t manage to convert on either of the next two possessions and Vezenkov made free throws to seal the outcome. 

The Reds outscored the hosts 33-52 after the break to grab their fourth straight win

Zalgiris Kaunas v Olympiacos Piraeus (2025-01-02T18:00:00.000Z)

After he was named the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP for December, Theo Maledon of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne spoke to EuroLeague.net about his return to the Old Continent after four seasons in the NBA, some of the highlights from the past month, and his and his team's mindset

Theo Maledon December MVP: 'I'm getting more comfortable every game'

After he was named the [Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP for December](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/theo-maledon-makes-history-as-december-mvp/), [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) of [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) spoke to [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net) about his return to the Old Continent after four seasons in the NBA, some of the highlights from the past month, and his and his team's mindset.

Maledon, who has made history as the first ASVEL player to be named MVP of the Month in the EuroLeague, has helped carry his team from the tail end of the standings into the thick of the fight to reach the postseason. Hear more from one of the competition’s hottest players in this exclusive interview.

ASVEL's star guard shared his thoughts on winning the award

Episode No. 14 of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is here to help prepare you for 2025! Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net and Vasiliki Karamouza of Sport 24 dish on strategies, lessons learned, and standout players from the latest fantasy round. 

Get your Fantasy Challenge Podcast fix in Episode No. 14

Episode No. 14 of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is here to help prepare you for 2025! [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) 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 strategies, lessons learned, and standout players from the latest fantasy round. They also reflected on a particularly low-scoring week, where even the top-performing team managed just 197 points.

Check out the teams Javi and Vasiliki plan to use in Round 18, which begins at 19:00 CET on Thursday when Zalgiris Kaunas and Olympiacos Piraeus meet. Good luck fantasy fans!

Episode No. 14 of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is here to help prepare you for 2025! Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net and Vasiliki Karamouza of Sport 24 dish on strategies, lessons learned, and standout players from the latest fantasy round. They also reflected on a particularly low-scoring week, where even the top-performing team managed just 197 points.

Javi and Vasiliki share some advice and their teams ahead of Round 19

Real Madrid forward Gabriel Deck will be sidelined after he was diagnosed with a rupture of the hamstring tendon on his left leg

Real Madrid loses Gabriel Deck to torn hamstring

Real Madrid forward [Gabriel Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) will be sidelined after he was diagnosed with a rupture of the hamstring tendon on his left leg. The veteran forward suffered the injury during his team's narrow victory over FC Barcelona in the Spanish League on Monday. No timetable has been set for his recovery.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Parte médico de Deck.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMBaloncesto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RMBaloncesto</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1874073463931224305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Deck, 29, is in his seventh season with Real Madrid, which he helped to the EuroLeague crown in 2023. This season he has averaged 9.6 points and 3.4 rebounds on 18 games. Deck has won four Spanish championships, four Spanish SuperCups and two Spanish King’s Cups with *Los Blancos*. He has also played for Asociacion Quimsa Santiago del Estero and San Lorenzo de Almagro in his native Argentina and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA.

Latest Real Madrid news

The former champion was injured in a Spanish League game on Monday

Real Madrid v FC Bayern Munich (2025-01-03T20:00:00.000Z)

Reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens announced on Tuesday that it has agreed to a contract extension with All-EuroLeague center Mathias Lessort that will keep them together through the 2027-28 season

Panathinaikos, Mathias Lessort pen extension

Reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens announced on Tuesday that it has agreed to a contract extension with All-EuroLeague center [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) that will keep them together through the 2027-28 season. Lessort, 29, dominated for the Greens in the first half of this season before suffering a [broken fibula](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/all-euroleague-center-mathias-lessort-leaves-game-with-leg-injury/) that will keep him sidelined for several months. He averaged 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in 17 games this season to rank second in the league in rebounds and sixth in average PIR (20.5).

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">Η ΚΑΕ Παναθηναϊκός AKTOR ανακοινώνει την επέκταση της συνεργασίας της με τον αθλητή Ματίας Λεσόρ έως το καλοκαίρι του 2028.<br><br>Χρόνια Πολλά σε όλους τους φίλους του Παναθηναϊκού!<br><br>——————————————————<br><br>Panathinaikos BC AKTOR is pleased to announce the extension of its partnership… <a href="https://t.co/D1YBeltbq5">pic.twitter.com/D1YBeltbq5</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1874063872165867837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This season is his second with Panathinaikos, which he helped win the championship last season. Overall Lessort has six EuroLeague seasons for five clubs: Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, FC Bayern Munich, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Panathinaikos. He also suited up for Unicaja Malaga, AS Monaco and Partizan in the EuroCup. He won the EuroCup with Monaco in 2021. Lessort has won national championships in Serbia, Greece and the Adriatic League and was twice selected to the All-EuroCup team. He has also won silver medals at the Olympic Games and the European Championship and a bronze at the Basketball World Cup as a member of the French national team.

More Panathinaikos news

The two-time All-EuroLeague center will remain with the Greens through 2028

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares his tips for Round 19 of the 2024-25 season.

Fantasy tips, Round 19: Bargains galore!

Get ready for the first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague round in 2025 and it should be a good one for EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge managers. All of a sudden, there are plenty of undervalued players in the game and good opportunities to improve your teams and be even more competitive. From players returning from injuries, others getting more playing time or simply doing really well, here are five of my top recommendations ahead of Round 19.

[**Duane Washington, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (10.7 credits)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/duane-washington/013370/)

Washington has stepped up in the last three rounds, averaging 19.7 points and 4.7 fouls drawn for a PIR of 18.0. He comes off his best game in the competition with 27 points and 6 fouls drawn for a PIR of 27 in a home victory over Fenerbahce. It seems like his adjustment period is over and Washington is ready to showcase his best basketball.

[**Jaylen Hoard, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (15.5 credits)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaylen-hoard/006835/)

Simply put, Hoard is the player to have in the game right now. Sasha Vezenkov is owned by almost 30% of fantasy managers and Theo Maledon is in around 25% of the teams. Hoard is owned by 6.1% of all managers out there while averaging 19.2 points and 6.4 rebounds for a PIR of 23.4 in the last five games. It's time to get ahead of the fantasy curve!

Jaylen Hoard, Neal Sako, Dinos Mitoglou, Joel Bolomboy and Duane Washington are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Round 18

[**Konstantinos Mitoglou, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (8.2 credits)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/)

As you probably know, Mathias Lessort is injured and will most likely miss the remainder of the regular season. Panathinaikos had to adjust and Mitoglou is starting to see playing time at the '5' position. He delivered right away, getting 15 points and 9 rebounds for a PIR of 20 in almost 30 minutes against Bayern in Round 18. Buy him now!

[**Neil Sako, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (10.3 credits)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/neal-sako/010545/)

Sako is in a similar situation to Mitoglou. Mbaye Ndiaye is set to miss some time and Sako may see extended playing time at the power forward position. Sako is the kind of player who always delivers when he gets the minutes: he had 12 points and 9 rebounds for a PIR of 20 against Virtus last week. There are not many good centers in his price range.

[**Joel Bolomboy, Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (12.3 credits)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/)

Bolomboy is back and he immediately made Zvezda better. His team won the last two games, including a rare home victory over Barca at Palau Blaugrana. Since he's back, Bolomboy has been nothing but rock-solid, averaging 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds for a PIR of 17.0. In fantasy, you can't go wrong with rebounds, blocks and a high shooting percentage.

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

The first action of 2025 will see the race for the playoffs intensifying with Round 19 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Here’s your guide to the action, including a high-octane Istanbul derby.

At a glance: Round 19 opens 2025 in style! 

The first action of 2025 will see the race for the playoffs intensifying with Round 19 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Here’s your guide to the action, including a high-octane Istanbul derby.

## Thursday, January 2

### Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (19:00 CET)

The New Year tips off in style as faltering Zalgiris (10-8) looks to snap a two-game losing slide against in-form Olympiacos (12-6) searching for a fourth straight win. Olympiacos, which has won the last seven games between the teams, could bolster its frontcourt by giving a debut to recent signing [Nathan Mensah](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nathan-mensah/013514/). One key will be whether the home team can slow down the Reds' ball movement: Olympiacos leads the league in assists with 20.6 per game, while Zalgiris has held opponents to a league low 16 helpers per night. The Greens’ offense has faltered in recent weeks despite strong performances from [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/), who has averaged 3.3 triples over the last four games, and needs more inside presence after attempting only 22 two-pointers in last week’s loss at Maccabi.

### LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (19:00 CET)

A big battle between direct rivals on the fringes of the playoff places will see ASVEL (8-10) and Milan (9-9) desperate to get back into winning ways. Milan, which has lost three in a row, is attempting to complete a season sweep over the French team after winning 92-84 at home less than a month ago, when experienced guard [Fabien Causeur](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/fabien-causeur/001392/) set the tone by snaring 6 steals. That game did not feature another veteran, [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/), who will look to make the difference and maintain his strong form by guiding ASVEL to the 9-point win it needs for head-to-head advantage. The game features the league’s top two players in PIR, as [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) (23.5) and [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) (23.2) attempt to dominate their respective areas of the court.

Round 19 Head-to-Head: Sirvydis vs. Fournier

### ALBA Berlin vs. AS Monaco (20:00 CET)

Confident co-leader Monaco (12-6) will look to strengthen its position in the all-important top four by downing rock bottom ALBA (3-15). Monaco has won the last six meetings between the teams, most recently handing out a 100-80 thrashing a month ago behind 17 points from [Vitto Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vitto-brown/013365/). ALBA’s porous defense – which has allowed a league-high 90.8 points per game – must somehow slow down a multi-faceted Monaco offense led by backcourt stars [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) (14.1 points and 5.6 assists per game) and [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/), who is looking for a fifth straight game of double-digit scoring. To limit their effectiveness, the German team will need Icelandic point guard [Martin Hermannsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/martin-hermannsson/008780/) to continue his strong season (11.5 points, 5.2 assists) and control the tempo in the quest for an upset win.

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)

Baskonia (8-10) will look to take the confidence of last week's remarkable comeback against Paris to stop the run of a Zvezda (10-8) team which has won four of its last five games. The Serbian team, which has claimed five road wins already, will be led in the frontcourt by [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/), who has recorded double digit PIRs in six consecutive games and could receive energetic support from newcomer [John Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-brown-iii/010588/) if the former Monaco forward makes his debut. Baskonia will counter that through the tireless [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/), who combined with backcourt star [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) for 57 points in the confidence-building Round 18 triumph. Baskonia needs an 8-point winning margin to claim the head-to-head advantage, after losing 78-71 in Belgrade in October. 

Round 19 Head-to-Head: Moneke vs. Davidovac

## Friday, December 27

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (18:45 CET)

In Friday’s opening tip-off, a crucial Istanbul derby will see Fenerbahce (10-7) attempt to emerge from a worrying slump by overcoming Efes (10-8). [Saras Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/jasikevicius-saras/?season=E2024)'s team has lost three in a row and needs to fix a defense which has allowed an average of 93.3 points in that run. Efes also needs to bounce back after losing by 19 at Monaco last week despite another strong performance from big man [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/) (10 points, 4.6 boards per game). The visitor has added motivation after being beaten by Fenerbahce, 78-83, at home in Round 2 behind 16 points from [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/). Strangely, eight of the last ten meetings between these local rivals have been won by the away team, so Efes will aim to maintain that sequence by making Fenerbahce’s homecourt advantage count for nothing again.

Round 19 Head-to-Head: Guduric vs. Thompson

### Paris Basketball vs. FC Barcelona (20:15 CET)

Two former league leaders struggling for form will look to start 2025 in the right way as Paris (11-6) hosts Barcelona (9-9) in a must-win game for both teams. Barca big man [Chimizie Metu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chimezie-metu/013379/) made a strong return from injury in last week's loss to Zvezda, netting 16 points on 6-of-7 field goal shooting, and he will enjoy a good matchup with [Collin Malcom](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/collin-malcolm/012609/), who averages 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds over the last two games. Paris, which is on a three-game losing streak, needs to show mental strength to recover from last week’s collapse at Baskonia, while Barca have a major score to settle with the host after [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) (24 points, 9 assists) inspired a stunning 87-103 victory at Palau Blaugrana earlier in the season.

Round 19 Head-to-Head: Lo vs. Punter

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (20:15 CET)

Much-improved Virtus (5-15) will look for a third straight win with the tough mission of triumphing at reigning champ Panathinaikos (11-7). Veteran visiting coach [Dusko Ivanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/ivanovic-dusko/?season=E2024) will look to damage one of his former clubs through the power of rejuvenated forward [Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/achille-polonara/002084/), whose 17 points and 9 rebounds played a major role in last week’s convincing win over ASVEL. But the reigning champ is on a three-game winning roll after closing out 2024 with a strong road win at Bayern, featuring a solid debut from new big man [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/). The Greens will also again lean on league-leading scorer [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), who netted 27 points in Munich and will resist the Italian visitor’s attempts to claim a shock road victory.

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (20:30 CET)

Two of last week's winners will look to build momentum as Partizan (8-10) hosts Maccabi (5-13). Round 18 MVP [Jaylen Hoard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaylen-hoard/006835/) will look to maintain the form which has seen him score at least 12 points in ten consecutive games, but the Maccabi forward faces stuff competition from [Isiaha Mike](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isiaha-mike/011836/), who produced his best performance of the season with 9 points and 7 rebounds to power last week’s win over Fenerbahce. That game also saw another strong performance from guard [Duane Washington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/duane-washington/013370/), who is now looking truly comfortable in the EuroLeague after averaging 18 points in the last four games. Elsewhere in the backcourt, league-leading assister [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) (8.4 per game) faces an intriguing matchup with Partizan leader [Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/), who bounced back to form with 14 points and 5 assists last week.

### Real Madrid vs. FC Bayern Munich (20:30 CET)

Fast-rising Real (9-9) aims for a fourth straight win with a visit from high-flying Bayern (11-7). The Spanish side will be looking for revenge – and a 9-point victory for head-to-head advantage – after losing a thriller, 97-89, in Round 1 in Munich. That game saw Bayern show its finishing power by netting 33 points in the final quarter, powered by [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/007201/) grabbing a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. The German big man’s ability to take [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) out of his comfort zone in the paint could again be crucial. [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) will take center stage as he breaks the all-time EuroLeague appearance record, and he will look to continue the long-range shooting form which saw him score a season-high 20 points in last week's win at ALBA.

Round 19 Head-to-Head: Llull vs. Edwards

Four games take place on January 2 and five on January 3

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2025-01-03T19:30:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v FC Barcelona (2025-01-03T19:15:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-01-03T19:15:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-01-03T17:45:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2025-01-02T19:30:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2025-01-02T19:00:00.000Z)

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that dynamic guard Theo Maledon of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has been named the MVP for December

Theo Maledon makes history as December MVP

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that dynamic guard Theo Maledon of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has been named the MVP for December. Maledon's outstanding performance over the past month has captured the attention of fans, coaches, and analysts alike, establishing him as one of the league’s brightest rising stars.

In December, Maledon delivered a series of dominant performances, leading his team to crucial victories with an impressive mix of scoring, playmaking, and leadership on both ends of the floor. His ability to impact the game consistently, particularly in high-pressure moments, has made him an indispensable asset for ASVEL.

Maledon authored an outstanding all-around month during which he averaged 21.2 points per game, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists for a PIR of 26.8. He led all players in PIR in December and ranked third in scoring. Maledon knocked down an impressive 46 of 50 free throws in that time frame, too.

Perhaps most important to his candidacy was the fact that he led ASVEL to a winning month that saw it climb from the foot of the standings to the heart of the push for a postseason berth. Maledon was the MVP for Round 13 when ASVEL upended Real Madrid and continued to star as his team ended Paris Basketball’s 10-game winning streak and then recorded road wins at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Zalgiris Kaunas, the last two of those coming in the same week.

The MVP of the Month is named by Euroleague Basketball based on his and his team's performances. The award for December covered the six games played by all teams between Rounds 13 and 18.

This marks the first time that a player from ASVEL has been chosen as the EuroLeague MVP of the month. Maledon becomes the fourth French player to earn the honor following his ASVEL teammate Nando De Colo (January 2015, February 2016, January 2018, all with CSKA Moscow), Thomas Heurtel (February 2017 with Anadolu Efes Istanbul) and Guerschon Yabusele (January 2022 with Real Madrid).

A rising star in European basketball, the 23-year-old Maledon is in his second EuroLeague season. Just 16 years old when he first signed with ASVEL, Maledon first played for the youth systems at SPO Rouen then the French national academy. He played his first EuroLeague campaign with ASVEL in 2019-20 and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft. Maledon went on to play four seasons in the NBA for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns before returning home to ASVEL, France and the EuroLeague this season.

More on Theo Maledon

The LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne guard is the club’s first-ever MVP of the month in the EuroLeague