The 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is set for its grand finale, and it is bigger than ever before. With one round to go, there are three playoff seats still up for grabs, including fourth place in the standings which guarantees home-court advantage in the best-of-five playoffs.

Round 34 postseason possibilities: 256 combinations at play

The 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is set for its grand finale, and it is bigger than ever before. With one round to go, there are three playoff seats still up for grabs, including fourth place in the standings which guarantees home-court advantage in the best-of-five playoffs.

Up top, both [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) and [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) can finish as the regular-season winners. Also, both teams – along with [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) – can finish in second place. Those three clubs are sure to occupy the top three spots, and they are the only three teams sure to be playing in the EuroLeague Playoffs, which tip off on April 22.

Below them, there will be an incredible battle across Thursday and Friday.

There are four teams – [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/), [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/), [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/) and [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) – that can still be fourth. Also, seven teams – including [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/), [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/) and [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/) – can finish in sixth place, but each of the same seven teams can finish in seventh place, too.

At the very end of this article, you can find all 256 combinations in Round 34.

And here are the scenarios that will determine the order of the top three places, and what each team needs to reach the playoffs:

### TOP THREE PLACES

Olympiacos (23-10) is first if wins.

Olympiacos is first if Fenerbahce loses.

Olympiacos is second if it loses and Fenerbahce wins.

Fenerbahce (22-11) is first if it wins and Olympiacos loses.

Fenerbahce is second if it wins and Olympiacos wins.

Fenerbahce is second if it loses and Panathinaikos loses.

Fenerbahce is third if it loses and Panathinaikos wins.

Panathinaikos (21-12) is second if it wins and Fenerbahce loses.

Panathinaikos is third if Fenerbahce wins.

Panathinaikos is third if it loses.

### Monaco (20-13)

Monaco secures fourth place and home-court advantage if it wins.

Monaco secures fourth place and home-court advantage, even if it loses, if Efes wins and Barcelona loses.

Monaco secures fourth place and home-court advantage, even if it loses, if Barcelona and Real both lose.

Monaco qualifies for the playoffs if Bayern loses.

Monaco qualifies for the playoffs if Real loses.

Monaco qualifies for the playoffs if Barcelona loses.

Monaco qualifies for the playoffs if Efes wins.

Monaco is seventh if it loses, Efes loses, while Bayern, Barcelona and Real all win.

### Barcelona (19-14)

Barcelona qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Monaco loses.

Barcelona qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Bayern loses.

Barcelona qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Efes AND Real both lose.

Barcelona qualifies for the playoffs, even if it loses, if Bayern wins while Real, Paris, Efes and Zvezda all lose.

Barcelona secures fourth place and home-court advantage if it wins, while Monaco loses and Efes wins.

Barcelona secures fourth place and home-court advantage if it wins while Bayern, Monaco and Real all lose.

### Bayern (19-14)

Bayern qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Real loses.

Bayern qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Efes loses.

Bayern secures fourth place and home-court advantage if it wins and Barcelona wins, while Monaco, Real and Efes all lose.

Bayern qualifies for the playoffs, even if it loses, if Real wins, while Paris, Efes, Zvezda and Barcelona all lose.

### Real Madrid (19-14)

Real secures fourth place and home-court advantage if it wins and Monaco and Efes both lose.

Real qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Monaco loses.

Real qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Efes loses.

Real qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Barcelona loses.

Real qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Bayern wins.

Real qualifies for the playoffs, even if it loses, if Barcelona and Bayern both lose.

Real qualifies for the playoffs, even if it loses, if Paris wins while Barcelona and Efes both lose.

### Efes (19-14)

Efes cannot be fourth

Efes qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Monaco wins.

Efes qualifies for the playoffs, and is locked in fifth place, if it wins and Barcelona loses.

Efes qualifies for the playoffs if it wins and Bayern and Real both lose

Efes qualifies for the playoffs, even if it loses, if Bayern, Paris and Real all lose.

Efes qualifies for the playoffs, even if it loses, if Zvezda wins, while Real, and Bayern both lose.

Efes qualifies for the playoffs, even if it loses, if Zvezda wins, while Real, Paris and Barcelona all lose.

Efes qualifies for the playoffs and is locked in sixth place, even if it loses, if Bayern and Real both lose while Barcelona wins.

### Paris (18-15)

Paris qualifies for the playoffs, and is locked in sixth place, if it wins, while Efes, Bayern, Barcelona and Zvezda all lose.

### Crvena Zvezda (18-15)

Zvezda qualifies for the playoffs, and is locked in sixth place, if it wins and Paris and Real Madrid both win, while Bayern, Efes and Barcelona all lose.

We bring you all the possible Round 34 scenarios in one place

FC Barcelona v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-04-11T18:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2025-04-11T18:15:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v AS Monaco (2025-04-10T18:00:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Zalgiris Kaunas (2025-04-11T17:30:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v ALBA Berlin (2025-04-10T18:45:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Real Madrid (2025-04-10T18:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2025-04-10T18:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2025-04-10T18:15:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2025-04-10T18:00:00.000Z)

Heading into Round 34, the last round of the 2024-25 EuroLeague Regular Season, the seeding for all 10 postseason places are still to be decided.

A EuroLeague regular-season finale unlike anything seen before

For 25 years, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague has provided memorable moments, immeasurable passion, thrill and drama as the top teams on the European continent have battled their way towards capturing basketball glory.

Now, the league’s famous ’Every Game Matters’ mantra is taking its meaning to another level, as we are witnessing something that has never happened before, confirming the EuroLeague's status as the most competitive league in the world.

For the first time in 25 years, with one round to go, of all the places in the standings that secure progress to the next elimination phase, not a single one has been decided and every one of them will be settled in the final round.

No matter what the format of the competition has been over the last quarter-century, at least one team had clinched first or second place, or was locked into third or fourth place in the standings before the final round.

Whether it was the current round-robin league format played since the 2016-17 season, or Top 16 groups where teams battled for playoffs spots, there was always at least one team – and sometimes up to five – that were certain of their playoff seeding.

Or even during the times when Top 16 winners went directly to the Final Four, or the inaugural season when the regular season was followed by the eighthfinals, there was always at least one group winner before the final round of the group stage.

Not this season.

The crazy finish to the 2024-25 regular season is simply a crescendo of the most competitive season witnessed at the elite level of basketball competition.

This season, over the 33 rounds to this point, there were eight different teams that have occupied first place in the standings at the end of the round. That is one team short of half the league.

There have been as many as 13 changes in first place, and it is enough to go back just to early March to learn that since the finish of Round 27, there have been 10 different teams that have occupied one of the top-six spots in the standings, which lead directly to the EuroLeague Playoffs.

It is only natural that such a EuroLeague season, which has displayed unlimited competitiveness, ends this Thursday and Friday with Round 34, where eight of nine games will be determining postseason seedings.

Round 34 is going to be packed with drama on Thursday and Friday

Co-hosts Vasiliki Karamouza and Frankie Sachs are on their own again for Episode No. 26 of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, with Javier Gancedo in Bulgaria for the BKT EuroCup Finals. And there is plenty to discuss ahead of Round 34, which marks the final time there will be a full lineup of games in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge.

The Fantasy Challenge Podcast prepares for the end of the regular season

Co-hosts [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fkaramouza_vas&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7C232fd770c6fd43aba8bf08dd76bd7c72%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638797278386340010%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=dsdEhd8BdcLOVkgjYgEnm%2FaAN8X3hkXiZAtoh58cayU%3D&reserved=0) and [Frankie Sachs](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FMrEuroleague&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7C232fd770c6fd43aba8bf08dd76bd7c72%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638797278386384970%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rHOctLZURW1A1P1rIVNjW4ML98uYkflto0fka96%2F0EQ%3D&reserved=0) are on their own again for Episode No. 26 of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, with [Javier Gancedo](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fganchetto&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7C232fd770c6fd43aba8bf08dd76bd7c72%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638797278386402935%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=WaNw8X6bsIFI4uZgRuDy3fJio0qNKM3vXCyVxHwsyQA%3D&reserved=0) in Bulgaria for the BKT EuroCup Finals. And there is plenty to discuss ahead of Round 34, which marks the final time there will be a full lineup of games in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge.

Frankie starts by explaining why he is staying away from players whose teams have already been eliminated and then issues a heartfelt thank you to three of his favorite players from the season who won't suit up for him again: [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/), [Roman Sorkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/roman-sorkin/011219/) and [David McCormack](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/david-mccormack/013386/). Vasiliki continues with an analysis of the Olympiacos Piraeus backcourt situation and which players she sees on the rise.

While both Frankie and Vasiliki see eye to eye on their coaches and several players for Round 34, it’s interesting to hear why they move in different directions on the rest of the roster. This week the Round begins at 20:00 CEST with games tipping off simultaneously in Germany and France, so make sure to have your lineups finalized by then. And, as always, good luck, fantasy fans.

Vasiliki Karamouza and Frankie Sachs overlap with a few recommendations ahead of Round 34 and discuss them and others

The 22nd episode of EuroLeague & Friends features Shani Blatt, Lona Jackson, Vasiliki Karamouza and special guest Nick Calathes of AS Monaco.

The EuroLeague & Friends gang are joined by Nick Calathes for episode 22

The 22nd episode of EuroLeague & Friends features [Shani Blatt](https://www.instagram.com/shaniblatt/), [Lona Jackson](https://www.instagram.com/lonajackson_/), [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://www.instagram.com/vasiliki_karamouza/) and special guest [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) of [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/).

Calathes discusses his injury recovery and Monaco's playoff push, [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/)'s 37-point performance, predictions for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague awards, and much more.

The 2002 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game will forever be remembered by the three-point shot Ibrahim Kutluay made to give Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens a decisive five-point lead against reigning champion Virtus Segafredo Bologna inside the last minute.

EuroLeague 25 Moments: When Panathinaikos took Virtus’s crown in 2002

The 2002 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game will forever be remembered by the three-point shot [Ibrahim Kutluay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ibrahim-kutluay/abi/) made to give [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) a decisive five-point lead against reigning champion Virtus Segafredo Bologna inside the last minute.

Virtus was playing on its home floor and had the hope of becoming back-to-back champs, but Zeljko Obradovic’s Panathinaikos stepped up late to secure an eventual 83-89 victory. That was the Greens’ first EuroLeague championship in the modern era.

Hear from Ibrahim Kutluay, [Darryl Middleton](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/darryl-middleton/apo/), Zeljko Obradovic and [Fragiskos Alvertis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/fragiskos-alvertis/aph/) as they reflect on that famous 2002 title success in the latest episode of the EuroLeague 25 moments series.

You can also watch [episode one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTOQS-w-PNs&t=86s), [episode two](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHqpRVU6VVs&t=518s), [episode three](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QutvKk9HswQ) and [episode four](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by3jL3O0jYo) now.

The Greens defeated the reigning champion on the road

Andres Feliz has become an important part of Real Madrid's roster after a difficult first half of the EuroLeague season.

Andres Feliz: The metamorphosis of a tiger that roars again

Sports, in general, are characterized by their impatient nature. Success is fleeting, and the focus is on the final result. This need to show what one is capable of, to satisfy the fans and meet expectations, is even bigger in the top-level basketball that is the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. And, many times, it's difficult to grow amidst doubts, to develop while being surrounded by murmurs that question your quality.

Against many odds, [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) guard [Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andres-feliz/011247/) has done it.

Months of inconsistency, a sort of ostracism at end of the bench, had defined Feliz's run with Madrid for the large part of the season After a year full of confidence at Joventut Badalona, the Dominican point guard arrived in the Spanish capital not only to wear a jersey that weighs as heavily as few others, but also perform at the level of those who occupied his position in previous seasons. In other words, to become a valuable member of a championship-aspiring team.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1808900/andres-feliz-the-metamorphosis-of-a-tiger-that-roars-again/).

The Real Madrid guard has started to find his feet in his rookie EuroLeague season

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge co-host Frankie Sachs shares his tips for this week's games

EuroLeague Fantasy tips, Round 34: Last time with a full selection

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season comes to a close this week with Round 34, so this is the final time we will have this many players to choose from in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge. Before I roll out the players I like, let’s look at how I did with the players I recommended for Round 34, in which I went with all cheap players. I would say I scored big with [Joel Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-parra/007464/), who had 28.6 fantasy points and did good with [Stefano Tonut](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/stefano-tonut/006509/) (9) and [Dame Sarr](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dame-sarr/011666/) (8.8). [Elias Harris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/elias-harris/005460/) (4) was acceptable and [Jake Cohen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jake-cohen/005145/) (-1.8) was the only big miss. Not too shabby! Let’s see if I can do better this week! Here are my recommendations:

### Jaron Blossomgame, AS Monaco (9.4 credits)

In Round 31, [Jaron Blossomgame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaron-blossomgame/011231/) took a step up with a double-double against Zalgiris Kaunas and he has not let up since. The AS Monaco forward has averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds for a PIR of 18.7 over the last three games, while playing more than 30 minutes per game. He has become one of Coach Spanoulis's trusted players and that has made him a player I trust for the fantasy challenge. 

Jaron Blossomgame highlights: 2024-25 regular season

### Elijah Bryant, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (13.6 credits)

The highest-priced player I will recommend this week, [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/) has been red-hot recently in leading Efes on a season-changing seven-game winning streak. And I don’t expect that to change on Friday against Zalgiris Kaunas, especially with the possibility of clinching a playoff berth at hand. Bryant has averaged 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals for a PIR of 20.5 over his last four games, which are numbers I would happily take this week.

### Andres Feliz, Real Madrid (6.7 credits)

It's safe to say there may have been some growing pains for [Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andres-feliz/011247/) in his first season with Real Madrid, but recently not only has he found his role, but his production has been on the rise. Over *Los Blancos*’ last four games, he has scored at least 9 points each time and averaged a PIR of 11.5. For his price, it’s a very attractive value.

Andres Feliz highlights: 2024-25

### Omer Yurtseven, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (9.4 credits)

Do you remember how excited we were about [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) in January, when he posted PIRs of 20+ in three out of four games and his fantasy price was close to 11? Then he suffered a leg injury and has been out of our minds. Well, he's back. The big guy played 3 minutes in Round 32 and 14 minutes last week, when he had 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Crvena Zvezda lacks a lot of size to handle Yurtseven in the paint, which makes him a very interesting option.

### Tyson Ward, Paris Basketball (10.7 credits)

Another player who has seen a late season rise in form is [Tyson Ward](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyson-ward/012610/), who over his last four games has been worth 13.5 points and 6.3 rebounds for a PIR of 16.3 per game. That's after posting 7.0 points and 3.5 boards for a PIR of 5.3 in the previous four. Paris will not be leaving anything to chance in the matchup against ALBA Berlin as sixth-place finish is still alive, so expect for Ward to get his fair share of minutes.

Anadolu Efes and FC Barcelona are two of the hottest teams in the EuroLeague at present, but which other teams have picked up their form at the tail end of the season?

Stats review: Which teams carry the most momentum?

With one round to go in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, the teams advancing to the postseason are already decided, but there are several spots up for grabs above the Play-in Showdown that will shape the quarterfinals. Who claims those spots is worth monitoring as several teams have climbed the standings over the second half of the year. Given the way [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) found another gear during the second half of last season on its way to the championship, it is worth paying attention to who is carrying the most momentum into the postseason.    

No team has played as well as [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) in recent months and it can finish its climb into and above the Play-In Showdown slots with a win over [Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/) at Palau Blaugrana this week.  With a favorable tiebreaker against [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/), which currently sits in fourth place one win above, Barca will have no shortage of rooting interests across the league with four other teams potentially moving to 20 wins with a victory.  Regardless, Barcelona has been playing at a very high level in recent weeks and its road victory at [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) in Round 33 speaks to how dangerous it could be moving forward. [Dario Brizuela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dario-brizuela/009992/) has turned his season around like few players in recent history to add some firepower to this offense on the perimeter, while the now injured [Chimezie Metu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chimezie-metu/013379/), [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/), and [Joel Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-parra/007464/) all played well late in the year to fill in the blanks for an offense that is thriving in the half court. 

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) has risen in lockstep with Barcelona in the second half and has notched the key victories to secure the tie breakers over the other four teams currently tied with 19 wins to surge up the standings.  Guard play been the difference as the Turkish club has risen to lead the EuroLeague in overall offensive efficiency thanks in large part to the rhythm [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/) and [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) have found in 2025.  

[Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/), Panathinaikos, and Fenerbahce have spent much of the last few months just above the crowded part of the standings and their consistency has had a lot to do with that. Much like Efes and Barcelona, their performance on the offensive end has been key to their success as it has been increasingly difficult for teams to differentiate themselves defensively during the second half of the year. One of [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/), [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/), and [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) will lead the EuroLeague in overall defensive efficiency at around 0.98 points per possession—a notable rise from the 0.95 points per possession mark Panathinaikos posted to lead the league last year.  

[Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) and [Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/) were both victims of the EuroLeague's parity this season. As well as that duo played recently with Baskonia proving especially formidable at home, timing played a bigger role in the postseason picture than previous seasons.  The two-win margin between fourth and 10th place shows how razor-thin margins have been.

With a lot on the line in the final round of the regular season ahead of what should be an extremely competitive Play-in Showdown, it will be fascinating to see which teams carry the momentum they have built over the last few months in the quarterfinals.  

Sportradar breaks down which teams have been hottest in 2025

Anadolu Efes Istanbul is on the verge of sealing a playoff berth in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after coming out of the wilderness into the postseason picture with a seven-game winning streak, capped by Friday night’s dramatic 96-97 overtime victory at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

Anadolu Efes emerges as postseason dark horse after smooth run 

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) is on the verge of sealing a playoff berth in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after coming out of the wilderness into the postseason picture with a seven-game winning streak, capped by Friday night’s [dramatic 96-97 overtime victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/efes-beats-crvena-zvezda-96-97-to-boost-playoff-hopes/) at [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/).

Having climbed up to fifth in the standings, Efes faces [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) at home in the final game of the regular season as the battle for playoff berths is headed for a dramatic climax. Four teams, including Efes, are locked on 19-14 records behind fourth-placed [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) (20-13) with three top-six spots up for grabs.

Efes was likely written off by some pundits and many of its own fans after a patchy run plagued by injuries and inconsistency, which spilled over into the early stages of head coach Luca Banchi’s tenure.

The Italian tactician, who was hauled in after he parted ways with [Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/) earlier in the season, endured a 2-5 start before Efes finally hit top gear when it need to, rekindling the kind of form that saw the club win back to back EuroLeague titles in 2021 and 2022.

The matchup against Zvezda reaffirmed the die-hard spirit that saw Efes become the second Turkish club to win Europe’s premier club competition, following in the footsteps of city rival [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/?season=2024-25) which touched the summit in 2017.

Despite fielding a half-fit [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) who was battling a respiratory infection and losing veteran guard [Rodrigue Beaubois](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rodrigue-beaubois/006590/) to [a leg injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/rodrigue-beaubois-out-for-at-least-six-weeks-with-calf-tear/) in the third quarter, Efes stood firm after Zvezda forced overtime with a late comeback.

Much to Banchi’s delight, who singled out both men and the entire team for showing the kind of mettle and character that makes a talent-packed Efes roster unwanted opposition to any of its postseason rivals. 

“I believe the spectators enjoyed a most intense game. We remained focused after Zvezda came back and tied the score at the very end while we approached overtime with great maturity. Small details made the difference in the end, the win giving us the opportunity to look to the future with even more confidence,” Banchi said at the postgame press conference. 

“Unfortunately, we lost one of our pillars in this game because Beaubois suffered a very serious injury but the team responded well to his leadership when he showed the way at the beginning of the third quarter. I also want to underline the effort of our captain Shane Larkin, who led the collective effort. There’s no other way to beat a team like Zvezda in the Belgrade Arena.”

Beaubois sank 10 points in a brilliant individual third-quarter display to spark the visiting team’s 4-20 run, which turned the tide after a 51-44 halftime deficit, forcing Zvezda to play catch-up for the rest of the rip-roaring contest.

The 37-year old Frenchman landed awkwardly after a delightful floater and was carried off the court, forcing Banchi to throw an exhausted Larkin back into the fray after the Efes captain had defied illness to even make the trip to Belgrade.  

‘It didn’t make sense to include him in the roster because he was in no condition to play but he was adamant that he wanted to, especially at the end of the third quarter after the Beaubois injury. That’s what a captain and a leader does, as he and the team went the extra mile to get the win,” said Banchi.

Zvezda, which suffered a second successive home loss following [last week’s 72-78 reverse against Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-edges-closer-to-postseason-with-win-at-crvena-zvezda-72-78/), will be tempted to send early Easter gifts to its former head coach Dusko Ivanovic after he propelled the Serbian team into the postseason.

Ivanovic steered Virtus to [a 90-70 home rout](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/virtus-dominates-italian-derby-90-70-eliminates-milan/) of [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/?season=2024-25) in the Italian derby, handing Zvezda a play-in berth on a silver platter with a game to spare while it also eliminated Milan. Zvezda was also helped by [Zalgiris's 70-66 triumph](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/partizan-out-of-postseason-after-70-66-loss-at-zalgiris/) over [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/?season=2024-25) on Thursday, as the result knocked out Zvezda’s bitter city foe out of postseason contention.

The combination of those two outcomes spared Zvezda the daunting task of having to beat reigning champion [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/?season=2024-25) on the road in the final game of the regular season, with Zvezda suffering a dip in form during the home straight.

Game News

Having climbed into the top six, Zvezda lost five of its last seven games and came perilously close to dropping out of the entire postseason picture. The Serbian side was saved by past merits along with [a shock 73-81 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/center-less-crvena-zvezda-stuns-olympiacos-73-81/) at table-topping [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/?season=2024-25), which briefly snapped the poor run and turned out to be pivotal in Zvezda’s bid to reach the business end of the competition.

Summing up his team’s effort, head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos was relieved to see other results going Zvezda’s way but also lauded his men for a season-long quest that saw the Serbian champs squeeze into the postseason for the first time since [2016](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/standings/?season=2015-16&type=Traditional&phase=TOP%2016).

 “Like I told the players, we’re in the play-in because of other results going our way, but also because of our own results up to this point,” the Greek tactician said.

“This is very promising for our future as we’ve had some great games, both won and lost. We’ve taken the club to another level and we deserve to be in the play-in. This is a big step for the club and we’ll fight hard to reach the playoffs. Hopefully we’ll have some of our injured players back and I want to thank our fans again from the bottom of my heart and on the team’s behalf for their support.”   

Few teams will fancy a knockout clash with the former champs after their impressive streak 

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-04-04T18:00:00.000Z)