Virtus Bologna grabbed a shock win at Anadolu Efes in the EuroLeague's Play-In Showdown to set up a do-or-die clash with Baskonia on Friday night.

Virtus silenced the Efes crowd on a memorable night

It was like the script had already been written. Virtus Segafredo Bologna came into the Play-In Showdown on a seven-game losing streak and found itself in a must-win contest against a red-hot Anadolu Efes Istanbul. Few gave Luca Banchi’s men a chance.

That negative feeling surrounding Virtus became even stronger when [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) caught fire at the start of the game, scoring all 17 of Efes’s points in a 17-12 start that got a raucous crowd inside Sinan Erdem Sports Hall even more involved. Yet, the Italian visitors kept their calm and stuck to the game plan, ending the first quarter with a 9-0 run to make it 23-21. From there, Virtus went from strength to strength and ensured the contest was played at the pace it wanted to play at.

### Getting the win over the line

There was little to separate the two in the rest of the clash, with Virtus responding any time Efes looked to try and gain control. Then, in the last five minutes, when baskets were coming at a premium, Coach Banchi saw [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/), [Awudu Abass](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/awudu-abass/003527/) and [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/) really come to the fore to put Virtus in a position to secure [a famous 64-67 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/virtus-stuns-efes-64-67-and-keeps-on-dreaming/). A special mention for [Alessandro Pajola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alessandro-pajola/006739/)’s elite-level defense in the last quarter, too.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hang it in the Louvre. AGAIN 😍🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/XNP1AHSSiB">https://t.co/XNP1AHSSiB</a> <a href="https://t.co/l0SVf10D5z">pic.twitter.com/l0SVf10D5z</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1780331375943434375?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I have to congratulate both teams because this is a very emotional part of the season, where after 34 games you play all-in on one night in a do-or-die game,” Coach Banchi commented in the post-game press conference. “It’s a matter of values, a matter of technique and energy.

“We faced one of the hottest teams in the league, \[which was\] coming into the game with 10 wins in a row in the Turkish League and the EuroLeague. On the other hand, we had seven \[straight\] losses in the EuroLeague that affected our confidence. Tonight, we proved that the team is still firm and determined to explore all the opportunities of this season and this tournament.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🤍🖤 <a href="https://t.co/k6BwvfrD2a">pic.twitter.com/k6BwvfrD2a</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1780330755928846581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It is perhaps difficult to underestimate just how doubted Virtus was coming into this game. Even among the [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) journalists, [only Editorial Director Frank Lawlor predicted a Virtus win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/postseason-predictions-efes-vs-virtus/), leaving us 1/5 on the night. After all, Efes had been flying since Tomislav Mijatovic was appointed as head coach, going 8-2 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 19-3 overall, while the team had an 11-0 record at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall under his watch. Yet, Virtus was more than willing to turn up and spoil the party.

### A much-needed boost of confidence

Tuesday night’s performance was a bit of a throwback to the Virtus that we saw earlier in the season, when Coach Banchi’s squad occupied a top-four spot in the standings. There has been a noticeable drop-off in the last few months, falling out of the top four and then the playoffs altogether before dropping as far as 10th after Round 34, the last spot for the play-in. However, if Virtus can use its win at Efes as a springboard, it should spell bad news for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, the team it must face on Friday night for a chance to secure the eighth seed in the EuroLeague Playoffs.

“Right before we played this game, I said that this was the most important game of the season – and the next one is the same,” Shengelia said afterward. “We are not ready to go home. We don’t want to go home. We need to go there \[to Baskonia’s home\] and beat one of the hottest teams as well. Starting from now, we have to prepare ourselves for the game.”

Toko Shengelia spoke to the TV cameras following Virtus Segafredo Bologna's victory at Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the Play-In Showdown.

Shengelia speaks after win at Efes

One hour before Virtus’s clash at Efes tipped off, Baskonia’s game at Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv began. There was optimism that Dusko Ivanovic’s side could pull off a shock in Belgrade, Serbia, but it quickly became one-way traffic as Maccabi took control of the contest and ended up [hammering the Spanish outfit 113-85](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-routs-baskonia-113-85-to-advance-to-playoffs/). There was more bad news for Baskonia in that defeat, too, as [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) suffered an injury in the first half and couldn’t return after the break. Hardly the ideal preparation ahead of a do-or-die game on Friday night.

Virtus will be out for revenge as it looks to silence another crowd – this time those who will be inside Buesa Arena. The Italian team ended up losing in Round 34 at home to Baskonia following an incredible 34-point game by [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/), which saw Coach Ivanovic’s team finish eighth and Coach Banchi’s group end the regular season in 10th. But, it may have ended up paying dividends as Virtus has restored its confidence and now heads into its final play-in game in far better spirits, whereas Baskonia is coming off a heavy defeat.

It’s funny how these things play out sometimes.

Game News

The Virtus Segafredo Bologna players celebrate after beating Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the Play-In Showdown.

Despite being on a terrible run, the Italian side defied the odds to set up a play-in finale with Baskonia

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-04-16T18:00:00.000Z)

Virtus Bologna guard Iffe Lundberg scored what proved to be the game-winning basket as his team beat Anadolu Efes in the EuroLeague's Play-In Showdown.

Iffe Lundberg came up clutch (again) to knock out Efes

[Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/)’s triple with 11 seconds remaining dealt a major blow to Anadolu Efes Istanbul on Tuesday night, as Virtus Segafredo Bologna escaped with [a 64-67 victory at a packed Sinan Erdem Sports Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/virtus-stuns-efes-64-67-and-keeps-on-dreaming/). 

Following Tuesday night's win, the Italian side has now earned the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, with another do-or-die clash to come – this time against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz – on Friday.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Buonanotte Virtussini, 𝙊𝙉𝙀 𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙀 ‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/lQGVdcsOm4">pic.twitter.com/lQGVdcsOm4</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1780356537942237684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Lundberg and his clutch gene

Having struggled to find his role under head coach Sergio Scariolo last season, Lundberg has managed to show his potential following Luca Banchi’s appointment this term. The 29-year-old forward has not only adapted to Banchi’s philosophy, but he has also turned himself into one of the most clutch players in the league this season. Tuesday’s game was neither the first game where Lundberg was called to come to the fore nor the first time he delivered on the floor.

After netting 9 points in the last 7 minutes of the Italian Derby in Round 8 against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, he also recorded 8 points in the last 6 minutes of the Round 12 clash against FC Barcelona, with Virtus winning both games. Lundberg also produced great displays in both games against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade this season. He netted a basket to make it 72-75 on the road with 18 seconds remaining and drilled a triple with 35 seconds left to make it 82-81 at home. The Italian side won the two games 75-77 and 88-84, respectively.

### His heroics in Istanbul

His latest clutch moment came on Tuesday night, with Virtus leading 61-64 in Istanbul. Lundberg opted for an iso situation against [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) and nailed a dagger in front of one of the most experienced players in the competition, which silenced the crowd and showed once again that he is Virtus's go-to guy in crunch time. Overall, he produced a complete performance against Efes, ending the game with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists to help his team keep on dreaming.

Iffe Lundberg showed why he is one of the most clutch players in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with his dagger three-pointer in Virtus Segafredo Bologna's win at Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the Play-In Showdown.

Lundberg's scoring highlights vs. Efes

Virtus recorded an impressive 21 assists considering that it scored just 67 points, showing again that its team spirit has allowed it to win big games like this one. After ending Efes’s five-game winning streak, the Italian side will travel to Vitoria-Gasteiz in its bid to pull off another stunning victory. 

Team cohesion might be the key to winning that game, but having a clutch player such as Lundberg is always important when the team needs scoring deep in the final minutes of the contest.

Iffe Lundberg celebrates after Virtus Segafredo Bologna beat Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the Play-In Showdown.

The Danish guard put the game to bed with a three-pointer in the final seconds of the contest

Iffe Lundberg came up clutch (again) to eliminate Efes

Awudu Abass was one of the surprise heroes of the night as Virtus Bologna beat Anadolu Efes on the road in the EuroLeague's Play-In Showdown.

Awudu Abass spearheaded Virtus’s exemplary defense at Efes

[Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) started Tuesday’s Play-In Showdown clash between Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Virtus Segafredo Bologna in style. The 33-year-old forward went 5 for 5 from beyond the arc and 2 for 2 from the charity stripe to net all of Efes’s first 17 points of the night. 

A few days after labeling himself as "the best 'three' in Europe", Clyburn took to the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall floor determined to prove his point. Meanwhile, Virtus needed to find a way to contain the experienced forward, who troubled their defense in the first quarter.

### The impact of Abass

Enter an unlikely hero in [Awudu Abass](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/awudu-abass/003527/). The Virtus forward came off the bench in the closing stages of the first quarter and provided the guests with a much-needed energy boost. 

Abass did everything on the floor. He finished the game with 12 points, including a big basket from inside with 3:30 left on the clock to extend Virtus’s lead to 57-64. Yet, most importantly, he managed to contain a red-hot Clyburn, who ended the first half with 20 points but scored just 2 after the break. 

“We brought energy from the defense, the control of the rebounds and the loose balls,” head coach Luca Banchi stated during the post-game press conference.

Awudu Abass was one of the surprise heroes on the night as Virtus Segafredo Bologna beat Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the Play-In Showdown.

Abass's highlights vs. Efes

Indeed, Virtus won the rebound battle 40-43, forced Efes to commit 10 turnovers and produced as many as 7 blocks, 6 of which came in the second quarter. The Turkish side did net 23 first-quarter points, with 17 scored by Clyburn, but they recorded 13, 14 and 14, respectively, in the next three quarters. 

### A tough night for Efes

Despite boasting the third-best offense in the regular season with 86.1 points scored per game, Efes was kept below 70 points for the first time in 30 EuroLeague games and just the second time this season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Questa è la VIRTUS 🤍👀🖤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/qnsqMHBwCw">pic.twitter.com/qnsqMHBwCw</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1780333509015437433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, Efes came into Tuesday’s clash ranking fourth in two-point (56.1%) shooting and sixth in three-point (37.2%) efficiency. Yet, Virtus’s hustle on the floor led to numerous contested shots and the hosts ended up going 12 for 37 (32.4%) from inside the arc and 9 for 29 (31.0%) from deep. 

Should Virtus replicate this defensive outing on Friday on the road at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, it could pull off another road upset and suddenly enter the EuroLeague Playoffs as a team to be feared.

Awudu Abass reacts with joy after Virtus Segafredo Bologna beat Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the Play-In Showdown.

The 31-year-old became one of the team's heroes on a famous night in Istanbul

Virtus Bologna downed Anadolu Efes 64-67 in the EuroLeague's Play-In Showdown to set a up another do-or-die game on Friday, this time against Baskonia.

Virtus stuns Efes 64-67 to keep its playoff dream alive

Virtus Segafredo Bologna has booked its place in Friday’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Play-in Showdown clash against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, with the winner set to claim the eighth seed in the playoffs, after beating Anadolu Efes Istanbul 64-67 away at a sold-out Sinan Erdem Sports Hall on Tuesday night. 

A red-hot [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) netted 17 points in the first quarter, but Virtus tightened up its defense, contained the Efes forward and kept the third-best offense in the league to less than 70 points to end the Turkish side’s 6-0 winning run at home with head coach Tomislav Mijatovic on the bench.

Virtus's [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) netted 13 points, with [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/) and [Awudu Abass](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/awudu-abass/003527/) scoring 12 each and [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/) adding 11. For the hosts, Clyburn ended the contest with a game-high 22 points and [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) registered 16.

Game Videos

A slow start saw the two teams go scoreless for almost 2 minutes before Clyburn drilled one from downtown to open the scoring. Shengelia responded with a tough basket from inside, but Clyburn netted another triple to reach the 3,000-point milestone in his EuroLeague career. The Efes forward went 5 for 5 from deep and 2 for 2 from the line as he scored all of Efes’s first 17 points for a 17-10 lead. Then, [Ercan Osmani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ercan-osmani/012710/) netted three consecutive buckets, including two dunks, to extend Efes’s lead to 23-12. Virtus bounced back and responded with a 0-9 surge, with Lundberg scoring back-to-back baskets and Shengelia nailing a triple to reduce the deficit to 23-21 heading into the second quarter.

A hard-fought Shengelia bucket from inside tied the game, but [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/) went coast-to-coast in transition to end Virtus’s 0-11 run and make it 25-23. After having his shots blocked three times in the second quarter, [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/) netted his first bucket of the night, but Abass answered with a fast-break slam for a narrow 27-25 Efes lead. What followed was an exchange of blows, with Abass and [Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/achille-polonara/002084/) connecting from deep and Larkin and [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) getting their first field goals of the game, 33-31. Clyburn’s career-high sixth triple of the clash was followed by an [Ante Zizic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ante-zizic/004554/) slam on the other end, with the hosts leading 36-35 at halftime.

Virtus opened the third quarter with a Polonara buzzer-beating triple, but Larkin responded with a layup in traffic and his first three-pointer for a 41-38 Efes lead. Zizic traded baskets with his former teammate, Larkin, before Lundberg tied it at 43-43. The Efes guard netted his team’s first 9 points of the second half, but Abass’s second triple of the night put Virtus back in front, 45-46. A tough Clyburn basket was followed by a [Tibor Pleiss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tibor-pleiss/lhk/) bucket from deep, but Lundberg netted one from inside to cut the difference to 50-48 heading into the closing quarter.

Shengelia scored the first bucket of the fourth quarter to take his tally to 11 points, but [Rodrigue Beaubois](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rodrigue-beaubois/006590/) went 3 for 3 from the charity stripe to put Efes ahead again, 53-50. Then, Beaubois drilled his first field goal of the game, but the Virtus forward went 2 for 2 from the line before an [Alessandro Pajola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alessandro-pajola/006739/) triple tied it at 55-55. A couple of Jones free throws were followed by a Belinelli corner triple, then Shengelia drew an unsportsmanlike foul that led to 4 Virtus points for a 57-62 lead. An Abass bucket extended Virtus’s run to 0-9, which was ended by 4 Larkin free throws to make it a one-possession game, 61-64, with 1:15 left on the clock. Errors by both teams on the next two possessions were followed by a huge Lundberg dagger from deep to make it 61-67 and practically put the game to bed.

Isaia Cordinier of Virtus Segafredo Bologna is guarded by Rodrigue Beaubois of Anadolu Efes Istanbul during the two teams' Play-In Showdown matchup.

The Italian side will take on Baskonia on Friday for a shot at making the EuroLeague Playoffs

Codi Miller-McIntyre delivered one of the greatest individual displays ever witnessed in the competition’s postseason history. 

Codi Miller-McIntyre's historic silver lining for Baskonia 

Tuesday’s Play-In Showdown trip to Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv was a night to forget for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, which saw its hopes of advancing directly into the playoffs extinguished by a huge 113-85 defeat.

However, there were two silver linings.

First, the Spanish team’s season is not over yet, with one more chance to reach the last eight still up for grabs in Friday’s play-in decider.  And second, Codi Miller-McIntyre delivered one of the greatest individual displays ever witnessed in the competition’s postseason history.

Codi Miller-Mcintyre (32 points) Highlights vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, 04/16/2024

Codi Miller-McIntyre's historic silver lining for Baskonia

Miller-McIntyre rose above the mediocrity of his teammates to deliver a relentless performance throughout his 31 minutes on the floor. The guard finished with a highly impressive collection of 32 points on 11-of-13 two-point shooting and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, along with 7 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot for a PIR of 45 – nearly half his whole team’s overall PIR of 97.

That added up to the joint-best postseason performance this century, tying with the 45 PIR achieved by Carlton Myers for PAF Bologna and Alphonso Ford for Peristeri, both in the 2000-01 season. 

What’s more, Miller-McIntyre's performance was the best achieved since the introduction of the modern playoffs format, eclipsing the 43 PIR registered by Luis Scola, who was also playing for Baskonia under coach Dusko Ivanovic, in 2005.

It wasn’t particularly surprising to see such figures from Miller-McIntyre, who earlier this season became only the third player this century to record a triple-double when he bagged 11 points, 11 rebounds and a competition record 20 assists in a Round 26 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.

In just his first season in the competition, the 29-year-old Miller-McIntyre finished the regular season with impressive averages of 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, a league-high 7.2 assists and 13.5 PIR, forming an often deadly backcourt duo with Markus Howard, the competition’s top scorer.

Howard could not match his season average of 19.3 points in Tuesday’s game against Maccabi, scoring just 14 after converting 5 of his 14 field goal attempts.

But with Miller-McIntyre in historic form, Baskonia still has reason to hope that a 28-point defeat could be converted into a playoff-sealing victory on Friday night.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-04-16T17:00:00.000Z)

Lorenzo Brown delivered his best performance of the season to lead Maccabi to a resounding 113-85 victory over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, 

Lorenzo Brown back to his best with perfect timing 

It’s been a tough season for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv playmaker Lorenzo Brown, who has struggled to find his best form after battling a persistent back injury. 

The point guard was an All-EuroLeague First Team selection last season after averaging 16.4 points and 16.1 PIR, but those respective figures dipped to a still-respectable 12.6 points and 12.2 PIR in the current campaign.  

And Brown particularly struggled towards the end of the regular season, mustering averages of just 8.4 points and 8.4 PIR over the last seven games. 

However, he brushed that relatively lackluster form aside on Tuesday night to deliver his best performance of the season and lead Maccabi to a resounding 113-85 victory over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, progressing from the competition’s first play-in game to a playoff series with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens. 

Lorenzo Brown (29 points) Highlights vs. Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, 04/16/2024

Lorenzo Brown scored 29 points in the Play-In Showdown opener

Doubtless boosted in confidence by striking a pair of three-pointers in the opening minute, Brown excelled throughout the game to finish with 29 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds and 1 steal for a PIR of 35. 

He was especially hot from long-range, sinking a personal best 7 of his 8 three-point attempts to record the joint fourth-highest number of deep strikes in playoff history. 

That performance also set a couple of club records, with his 29 points and 7 triples the highest ever achieved in Maccabi’s illustrious postseason history. 

After the spectacular win, which kept Maccabi’s season alive, Brown looked relieved to have recovered his best form as he admitted: “\[It’s a\] beautiful feeling right now. Driving all year, going through adversity, but we’ve been sticking with it, staying together, and that’s the most important part for our team.

“It's been a long year for me, playing this whole year through injury and a few other things as well, but we’ve been pushing through it and letting everything flow by.” 

His coach Oded Kattash was more effusive, glowing: “We always knew and always remembered \[how great Brown is\], even if he was in a period where he was less good.  

“A lot was dependent on his body, how he returned from his injury and found his pace. On a professional level in the coaches’ room, we never lost confidence and neither did the players.

“Lorenzo, like a great player, showed he knows how to take a step up when big games come. I am happy for him. He went through a tough time. He did what he’s been doing for us two years already; he led us.” 

And with his best version restored, Brown’s leadership could take Maccabi a lot further yet. 

The All-EuroLeague guard set club records in leading Maccabi to a season-extending win

The first-ever Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Play-In Showdown game saw Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv cruise through to the playoffs with a 113-85 thrashing of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Belgrade. 

Maccabi routs Baskonia, 113-85, to advance to playoffs

The first-ever Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Play-In Showdown game saw Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv cruise through to the playoffs with a 113-85 thrashing of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Belgrade. Maccabi will face Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in the playoffs starting next week, while Baskonia now faces a do-or-die home game on Friday.

Maccabi raced into a double-digit lead before the end of the first quarter, extended the margin to 24 points before the interval and never looked in trouble after that. Lorenzo Brown led a dazzling offensive performance with 29 points on 7-of-8 three-point shooting, helped by 26 from Wade Baldwin and 14 from Bonzie Colson, as Maccabi set a club record with 19 three-pointers. 

Codi Miller-McIntyre excelled for Baskonia with 32 points, 7 assists and 8 rebounds for a PIR of 45, while Markus Howard scored 14 and Tadas Sedekerskis paired 11 points with 7 rebounds.

### Brown stakes Maccabi to early lead

Brown struck a pair of triples to open the scoring before Miller-McIntyre also hit from deep to get Baskonia on the board. Vanja Marinkovic scored twice, but Baldwin did the same to keep Maccabi ahead, 13-8, midway through the first. Brown and Antonius Cleveland were on target from deep to stretch the lead, before Howard hit a three. Tamir Blatt also struck from distance and Brown added a mid-range jumper for a 28-15 lead after 10 minutes.

Jasiel Rivero’s long two kept Maccabi moving before Sedekerskis and Niko Rogkavopoulos tried to stop the bleeding. But Maccabi then enjoyed a 10-0 run, featuring consecutive scores from Baldwin, for a 43-21 advantage as Baskonia’s woes deepened by losing Chima Moneke to injury. Miller-McIntyre netted twice but Colson matched him and Brown did even better with a pair of triples. Miller-McIntyre kept going with two more baskets, making it 55-36 at the break.

### Three-pointers continue to fall as Maccabi cruises

Howard started the second half with a three-pointer, but Colson and Jake Cohen also hit triples to keep Maccabi comfortable. Brown added 5 more points, Bolson hit from deep and Baldwin added a pair of layups to make it 73-49. Sedekerskis answered with a threeball, but Baldwin and Rivero dunked as Maccabi kept flowing. Cleveland and Blatt added three-pointers, giving the rampant yellows an 86-61 lead after three quarters. 

Howard tried to resist with his fourth triple early in the final period, but James Webb III scored twice and Josh Nebo added another inside score to keep Maccabi rolling. Miller-McIntyre's triple briefly reduced the deficit to less than 20, but three-pointers from Blatt and Baldwin took Maccabi into triple figures. Miller-McIntyre continued his great night with two more baskets, but Brown and Baldwin added further deep strikes as Maccabi cruised to a record-setting win.

The opening game of the new Play-In Showdown saw the Israeli champions dominate from start to finish

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 113-85 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/307/)

The first-ever EuroLeague Play-In Showdown game saw Maccabi cruise through to the playoffs with a 113-85 thrashing of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Belgrade. Maccabi will face Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in the playoffs starting next week, while Baskonia now faces a do-or-die home game on Friday.

Maccabi raced into a double-digit lead before the end of the first quarter, extended the margin to 24 points before the interval and never looked in trouble after that. Lorenzo Brown led a dazzling offensive performance with 29 points on 7-of-8 three-point shooting, helped by 26 from Wade Baldwin and 14 from Bonzie Colson, as Maccabi set a club record with 19 three-pointers. Codi Miller-McIntyre excelled for Baskonia with 32 points, 7 assists and 8 rebounds for a PIR of 45, while Markus Howard scored 14.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">💪 <a href="https://t.co/zlJXufG9MK">pic.twitter.com/zlJXufG9MK</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1780306953022894549?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul 64-67 Virtus Segafredo Bologna ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/308/)

Virtus booked its place in Friday’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Play-in Showdown clash against Baskonia by beating Efes 64-67 at a sold-out Sinan Erdem Sports Hall on Tuesday night. Will Clyburn netted 17 points in the first quarter, but Virtus tightened up its defense, contained the Efes forward and kept the third-best offense in the league to less than 70 points to end the Turkish side’s 6-0 winning run at home with head coach Tomislav Mijatovic on the bench.

Virtus's Toko Shengelia netted 13 points, with Iffe Lundberg and Awudu Abass scoring 12 each and Marco Belinelli adding 11. For the hosts, Clyburn ended the contest with a game-high 22 points and Shane Larkin registered 16.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">WIN WIN WIN ⚪️⚫️<br>Ci siamo ancora: la Virtus vince a Istanbul 🔥<br><br>🔢 Shengelia 13, Lundberg 12, Abass 12, Belinelli 11, Polonara 8, Zizic 4, Pajola 3, Cordinier 2, Hackett 2<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/TbfzU5ajIb">pic.twitter.com/TbfzU5ajIb</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1780325647736311995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Game Center: Maccabi advances past Baskonia; Virtus KO's Efes

Check out the predictions by EuroLeague.net staff members for the Play-In Showdown game between Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

Postseason predictions: Efes vs. Virtus

### Efes to keep on rolling

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

There's been no stopping Efes ever since Tomislav Mijatovic was promoted to the role of head coach, going 8-2 in the EuroLeague and 19-3 overall. It was a similar story for Virtus in the first half of the campaign when it occupied a top-four spot in the standings, but a major slide, capped by a seven-game losing streak to end the regular season, has put a real dampener on things for Luca Banchi's men. I expect Efes to keep on rolling and quickly eliminate Virtus from postseason play, with Shane Larkin and Will Clyburn showing why they are still two of the best players in the EuroLeague. My pick: Efes.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">🔥 Kapalı gişe oynayacağımız bir maç daha! 🔥<br><br>⏱️ Özel bir hikaye yazmaya ve hep birlikte mücadele etmeye sayılı saatler kaldı! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/CwdZzhRKzR">pic.twitter.com/CwdZzhRKzR</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1780150994610819125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Efes will play again on Friday

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

I have a soft spot for Efes, and not just because of my initials. But that is not why I am picking them. I think all the signs point to Efes. It is in better form than Virtus. The game is in Istanbul. Efes has the better roster. And its core has been together longer. Both teams underwent coaching changes this season that had amazing impacts. However, Virtus's was on the eve of the season and propelled it to a fantastic start. Efes's was more recent and the team is still enjoying the afterglow. Those factors should send Efes into the Play-In Showdown finale on Friday for a ticket to Madrid to face the reigning champs in the playoffs. My pick: Efes

### Virtus has the upset tools

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

It will be anything but easy and it has to play near-perfect, but Virtus had a couple of double-digit road wins earlier this season over top-eight teams, Monaco and Baskonia, so nothing is out of the question here. Efes boasts more scorers and depth, but in a one-and-done game, it'll be down to the stars, and Virtus matches up decently. Daniel Hackett and Alessandro Pajola limited Shane Larkin to 7.5 PIR per game this season as these teams split double-digit home wins. Tornike Shengelia is a big-game player with experience over the Efes four-men. Marco Belinelli can shoot with anyone, including Rodrigue Beaubois and Elijah Bryant. And centers Bryant Dunston and Ante Zizic will relish going against their former team. Will Clyburn will be hard for Virtus to handle but if they can limit him, the visitors will have a chance. Streaks, as we know, are meant to be broken. My pick: Virtus in a shocker.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗥 𝗢𝗨𝗧 🌪️<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <br><br>🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a> <br>20.00 / 8pm<br>📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/DAZN_IT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DAZN_IT</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SkySport</a> <br>📻 <a href="https://twitter.com/nettunobologna1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nettunobologna1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/N0vT1aFqpS">pic.twitter.com/N0vT1aFqpS</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1780119204168896884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Efes will get the job done

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has been unstoppable since Tomislav Mijatovic was promoted to the head coach spot. Shane Larkin is back to his very best level, Will Clyburn made it personal to show he is the best small forward in the competition, plus players like Elijah Byrant, Dan Oturu, Ercan Osmani and Tyrique Jones have found ways to contribute effectively at both ends of the floor. Efes has the experience: half of its roster won EuroLeague titles in either 2021, 2022 or both. Virtus has struggled in the last couple of months, sliding down to the 10th spot. Efes has been particularly strong at home, scoring over 100 points several times. It is on a five-game winning streak, 8-2 in the last 10, and undefeated at home since Coach Mijatovic arrived. I mark Efes as the heavy favorite in this one. My pick: Efes.

### Efes earns the right to play on

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

On one side there is a host on a five-game winning streak, playing in a packed Sinan Erdem Dome that will be rocking, for sure. On the other, there is a visiting team that has lost its last seven games and won just three times in the last 15 rounds. Looks like a no-brainer, but I would not just write off Virtus and its veterans Tornike Shengelia, Daniel Hackett and Iffe Lundberg. They simply do not have it in their DNA to just fold. They have plenty of fight in them, however, I don't think it will be enough. Efes is playing among the most eye-pleasing and efficient basketball anywhere since Tomislav Mijatovic took over as head coach, including making 11.3 three-pointers per game on 41.4% accuracy during that 10-game stretch. I believe Efes continues to display the dynamic basketball that got it into the Play-In Showdown and wins this one. My pick: Efes.