The first leg of the final double-round week of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season has now drawn to a close.

Game Center: Round 30

### Wednesday, March 20

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 88-74 FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-vs-fc-barcelona/)

Fenerbahce grabbed its fourth consecutive win in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by downing Barcelona at Ulker Sports and Event Hall in Round 30 on Wednesday. Fenerbahce improved to 20-10 and is 14-1 at home this season. Barca dropped to 19-11. Scottie Wilbekin paced the winners with 18 points. Marko Guduric and Nick Calathes each added 13 while Nigel Hayes-Davis and Tarik Biberovic each had 12 for Fenerbahce. Calathes also become the EuroLeague's all-time steals leader with 436. Dario Brizuela led Barca with 18 points on 4-of-4 three-point shooting. Nico Laprovittola added 11 for the guests.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Maç Bizim! 💪<br><br>Tebrikler Fenerbahçe Beko! 👏<br><br>Maç Sonucu | Fenerbahçe Beko 🆚<a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBbasket</a>: 88-74<br><br>Skor dağılımımız: Wilbekin 18, Guduric 13, Calathes 13, Biberovic 12, Hayes-Davis 12, Motley 9, Dorsey 4, Pierre 3, Noua 2, Sertaç 2. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/R52BsrWiKV">pic.twitter.com/R52BsrWiKV</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1770540547205181472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[AS Monaco 80-98 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/267/)

Milan boosted its top 10 chances by claiming a prestigious road win, while ending Monaco’s eight-game winning run. The visiting team took control towards the end of the first half, breaking a club record on the road by scoring 56 points before the interval. The lead reached 21 points in the third quarter, and although Monaco briefly fought back to make it closer, the Italian team surged clear again to improve to 13-17. Monaco missed out on the chance to move into second place as it dropped to 19-11. Devon Hall did a bit of everything for the winning team with 14 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, while Nikola Mirotic top scored with 21 points. Alpha Diallo led Monaco with 17 points and Jordan Loyd added 14, while Mike James went 1-of-10 from the field.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Vittoria!!✅<br>L&#39;Olimpia controlla nei primi venti minuti. Nel secondo tempo resiste alla rimonta della squadra monegasca e allunga fino al +18 finale 💪🏻😤<br><br>80-98 il punteggio finale<br>Mirotic 21 pts, Lo 15, Hall 14, Tonut 13.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olimpiamilano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#olimpiamilano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/O2xmEfbTIQ">pic.twitter.com/O2xmEfbTIQ</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1770543235997356048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 76-89 Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-kk-crvena-zvezda-vs-panathinaikos-bc/)

Panathinaikos assured itself a spot in the Play-In Showdown, at the least, and boosted its hopes of finishing in the top four after a smooth win at Crvena Zvezda, which suffered its sixth successive defeat in Europe's premier club competition. A flowing team effort saw five visiting players finish in double figures, with Mathias Lessort leading the way on 19 points and 6 rebounds. Kostas Sloukas and Dinos Mitoglou added 17 points apiece, the latter also racking up 9 rebounds. At the other end, Nemanja Nedovia and Dejan Davidovac netted 19 points each for Zvezda.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final Score ☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kkcrvenazvezda</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> 76-89 <a href="https://t.co/xZwgMUE83u">pic.twitter.com/xZwgMUE83u</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1770558307863834990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Valencia Basket 70-68 FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-valencia-basket-vs-fc-bayern-munich/)

In a thriller, Valencia improved its chances to make it to the Play-In Showdown by edging Bayern at home. Valencia improved to 14-16 in the standings while Bayern dropped to 13-7. Chris Jones paced the winners with 19 points. Damien Inglis added 15 and 6 rebounds while Semi Ojeleye had 14 points and 7 rebounds for Valencia. Devin Booker led Bayern with 16 points. Sylvain Francisco added 12 and Carsen Edwards 10 for the guests.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciabasket</a> WIN, in a close one. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/CYH3cMh6dF">pic.twitter.com/CYH3cMh6dF</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1770567951881552313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Tuesday, March 19

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul 85-72 Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-anadolu-efes-sk-vs-olympiacos-bc/)

Efes came out on top against Olympiacos by winning 85-72 in Round 30 on Tuesday evening. This victory ensures that Efes can still dream of making the Play-In Showdown, with the team improving to a 12-17 record and 4-2 under Tomislav Mijatovic. Olympiacos, meanwhile, saw its six-game winning streak come to an end as it fell to 18-12. Shane Larkin paced Efes with 15 points, followed by Will Clyburn with 14, Derek Willis with 13, Rodrigue Beaubois with 11 and Elijah Bryant with 10. For Olympiacos, Alec Peters netted a game-high 19 points. Moustapha Fall added 14, Kostas Papanikolaou chipped in with 12 and Isaiah Canaan had 11.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Çift maç haftasına galibiyetle başlıyoruz! 👊<br>Anadolu Efes 85 - 72 Olympiacos | Maç Sonucu<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/g1W4cSKrDn">pic.twitter.com/g1W4cSKrDn</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1770167747017675137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Zalgiris Kaunas 96-81 Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-zalgiris-kaunas-vs-virtus-bologna/)

Zalgiris kept its hopes of reaching the Play-In Showdown alive as it fought off Virtus 96-81 to snap a three-game losing streak. Zalgiris took over in the third quarter and conceded just 32 points in the second half for a 12-18 record, including a 7-7 mark at home. Edmond Sumner scored 16 points while Keenan Evans added 14 points and 7 assists.  Virtus dropped to 17-13 with its fourth loss in the last five games as it must wait to lock up a spot in the top 10. Toko Shengelia had 19 points in a losing effort.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just like 25 years ago, Virtus is beaten by Zalgiris! ✅ <a href="https://t.co/Za2FY66w8L">pic.twitter.com/Za2FY66w8L</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1770180742204604765?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[ALBA Berlin 79-86 Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-alba-berlin-vs-real-madrid/)

Real Madrid has become the first team to seal home-court advantage for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs by beating ALBA Berlin at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Tuesday night. *Los Blancos* improved their record to 24-6, while bottom-placed ALBA Berlin dropped to 5-24 despite its solid display at home against the reigning champion. Mario Hezonja led all scorers with 22 points and Guerschon Yabusele netted 17. For ALBA, Matt Thomas scored 16 points, andJohannes Thiemann recorded 14.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">🏁 FP: <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlbaBerlin</a> 79 - 86 <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> <a href="https://t.co/eejoKNuKjS">pic.twitter.com/eejoKNuKjS</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1770192103999410214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 98-90 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-maccabi-tel-aviv-bc-vs-ldlc-asvel/)

Maccabi improved to 17-13 after claiming a tough 98-90 win over ASVEL on the back of a monster display from shooting guard Wade Baldwin, who racked up 30 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds in a titanic tussle decided in the last few minutes of an absorbing contest. Center Josh Nebo posted 18 points to go with 10 rebounds and Bonzie Colson added 23 points, including a clutch three-pointer in a captivating finish, as Maccabi fought back to snatch its fourth successive win.

Veteran guard Nando De Colo rolled back the years to become the first player to surpass the 5,000 PIR points mark, taking his tally to 5,011 with 18 PIR points after a vintage performance for ASVEL. The 36-year old amassed 18 points, 5 assists and 1 rebound to pace the French side.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It&#39;s Wade&#39;s world! <a href="https://t.co/IDbDjZ1dWb">pic.twitter.com/IDbDjZ1dWb</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1770196009571762638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 87-83 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-kk-partizan-vs-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/)

Partizan had to hold its breath late against Baskonia, despite leading for the entire game, as it came away with an 87-83 victory. This win gave Partizan the tiebreaker over Baskonia, which could prove decisive as both teams are in the play-in spots right now. Frank Kaminsky paced Partizan with a team-high 20 points, with Bruno Caboclo and Kevin Punter netting 18 points apiece. Caboclo also had 13 rebounds. Baskonia was led by an inspired Markus Howard, who had 26 points in 21 minutes. Chima Moneke and Matt Costello posted 13 points each for the visitors.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A hard-fought win for <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PartizanBC</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/BFuJX55Zej">pic.twitter.com/BFuJX55Zej</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1770202657057091762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The first half of this double-round week is now complete

Game Center: Fenerbahce, Milan, Panathinaikos win big on Wednesday

Valencia Basket v FC Bayern Munich (2024-03-20T19:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-03-20T19:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-03-20T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v FC Barcelona (2024-03-20T17:45:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-03-19T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-03-19T19:05:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Real Madrid (2024-03-19T19:00:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-03-19T18:00:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-03-19T17:30:00.000Z)

Fans of both teams will recognize more than one member of the opponent who represented their jerseys in the past.

Familiar faces fill key Fenerbahce-Barca showdown

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (18-11) hosts FC Barcelona (20-9) in a big game](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-fc-barcelona/E2023/269/) for both teams. It is Fenerbahce head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius's first game against Barca since his departure from that club, but this game offers so much more. Take a look!

### Earlier this season, and beyond

It is a pivotal game in the race to reach the playoffs and get the home-court advantage there. Any tiebreak advantage will be important, maybe more than ever. [Barca beat Fenerbahce 89-81](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/113/) in Round 13 at home in Palau Blaugrana, and that eight-point gap will be critical if Fenerbahce wins. [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) paced the winners with 21 points on 10-for-13 two-point shooting and 9 rebounds. Fenerbahce led 55-64 midway through the third quarter but a 14-0 run put Barca ahead for good. [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) led Fenerbahce with 18 points.

Fenerbahce point guard Nick Calathes reunites with his old team and his battle with Tomas Satoransky for control could prove pivotal for the outcome. Barcelona has sights on protecting its perfect home record, while the Turks have lost five on their travels in succession, but will this play to form?

FC Barcelona vs Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Round 13 | Highlights

Barca is 24-11 against Fenerbahce since the turn of the millenium, and they have never faced each in the playoffs or Final Four. That makes Wednesday's showdown one of the biggest ever between them, as both are fighting for big goals right now. Barca last won at Ulker Sports and Event Hall on October 26, 2021, downing Fenerbahce 74-76 on a buzzer-beater by Nikola Mirotic. Last season, Fenerbahce snapped a three-game home losing streak against Barca with an 81-73 win behind 16 points from [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/).

### Fener: A 100-point Spanish poker?

Fenerbahce is setting records almost every week, especially at home. Last week, [Fenerbahce beat Valencia 118-88 by hitting 24 three-pointers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-valencia-basket/E2023/258/) to set a new all-time EuroLeague record. [Tyler Dorsey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyler-dorsey/009849/) buried 8 of them, [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) 6 and Hayes-Davis 4. Those 118 points are also a new club record for Fenerbahce, eclipsing the one it had set earlier this month with 1 11-96 home win against another Spanish team, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, on March 1. Fenerbahce showed great depth, with six players scoring between 19 and 11 points, all led by Hayes-Davis (19).

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul buried 24 three-pointer, the most by any team in a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game, ever!

Fenerbahce hits 24 three-pointers: an all-time record!

Fenerbahce had also reached triple digits in scoring in a 100-99 home win against Real Madrid. Wilbekin forced overtime in that Round 11 game back in November with a three-pointer and [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yam-madar/011052/) scored the game-winning basket off a late inbound steal by [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/). Scoring 100 or more against four teams of the same country in the same season is unprecedented. Fenerbahce scored over 100 points twice more this season, getting 101 against LDLC ASVEL and 109 against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. It is no surprise that Fenerbahce leads the EuroLeague in points per game at home (93.2), given its outstanding three-point accuracy (44.4%) in front of its fans. On the road, Fenerbahce ranks 17th in three-point shooting (33.8%).

### Crossed paths in Istanbul

This is a game with many storylines. The biggest one, as mentioned, is that Coach Jasikevicius faces his former team for the first time since leaving Barca. He helped Barca reaching three consecutive Final Fours from 2021 to 2023 and win two Spanish League and two Spanish Copa del Rey titles. Center [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/) and playmaker [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/), both of whom preceded Jasikevicius to Fenerbahce, both made it to the Final Four twice with him and Barca. Hayes-Davis also played with Sanli and Calathes and for Coach 'Saras' in the 2021-22 season, helping Barca make it to the Final Four win the Copa del Rey.

Nigel Hayes-Davis Top Plays of the 2021-22 Season

2021-22 EuroLeague highlights: Hayes-Davis, Barca

Barca also has its good share of former Fenerbahce players. [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) played for Fenerbahce from 2014 to 2022, leading the team to five consecutive Final Fours. Vesely played three consecutive EuroLeague Championship games with Fener, from 2016 to 2018, lifting the trophy in 2017. [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) also reached those championship games with Fenerbahce and won the 2017 EuroLeague title during his six seasons with Fenerbahce. Vesely is Fenerbahce's all-time leader in scoring (2,590 points), rebounds (1,158), steals (228), blocks (149), fouls drawn (819) and PIR (3,403), and was chosen as the 2018-19 EuroLeague MVP with Fenerbahce. Kalinic scored 995 points in 142 games with his former club.

### Calathes, a double milestone chance

Calathes is not only set to continue making EuroLeague history, but can do so twice in this game. With his next start, Calathes will become the second player to make 300 starts in the competition. Only Kostas Papanikolaou, with 302 stars, and counting, is ahead of the 299 by Calathes. They are the runaway leaders in this statistical category: Paulius Jankunas ranks third with 283 and the next active player is Edgaras Ulanovas of Zalgiris Kaunas, who has been in starting lineups 251 times.

Nick Calathes is one steal away from leading the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's all-time standings.

Calathes: a steals specialist

Calathes is also close to a record that has been unbeatable for almost a decade. He is now tied with former teammate and three-time EuroLeague champion Dimitris Diamantidis at the top of the all-time steals table. Diamantidis and Calathes have each collected 434 steals. It took Diamantidis 278 games to get them, and Calathes is set to play his 347th career game against Barca. Rudy Fernandez ranks third overall with 364 career steals. Calathes already ranks first overall in career assists (2,030), is fifth in defensive rebounds (1,085) and seventh in total PIR (4,108).

Andrea Trinchieri was beaming with a bit more pride than usual after his Zalgiris Kaunas team pulled off a major victory in its fight to stay in the post-season race. Moreover, they produced the win as the club was marking the 25th anniversary of its 1999 EuroLeague championship. 

Zalgiris marked 25th anniversary of EuroLeague crown with off-the-mat win

Andrea Trinchieri was beaming with a bit more pride than usual after his Zalgiris Kaunas team pulled off a major victory in its fight to stay in the post-season race. Moreover, they produced the win as the club was marking the 25th anniversary of its 1999 EuroLeague championship.

“I believe that all the players and coaches on that team would have enjoyed watching this Zalgiris team tonight,” Trinchieri said after his team’s 96-81 win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna. “This is something we also did for what they did. Zalgiris is what it is also because of that Zalgiris 1999 edition.”

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The 1999 EuroLeague Champions were honored today in the middle of the arena! 🏆⭐️ <a href="https://t.co/aV4ruoYT9p">pic.twitter.com/aV4ruoYT9p</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1770173670104735984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For the Round 30 game, the Lithuanian champs donned a retro jersey from 1999 - recalling the April 22 final against Kinder Bologna with Tyus Edney guiding the team to a shocking 82-74 win in Munich, Germany. 

“When I saw the uniforms I was kind of moved to see the retro jersey. I had a lot of flashbacks of Zalgiris and that pumped up the situation. I’m a bit romantic and when I see these things I really enjoy them,” Trinchieri noted afterwards. 

The head coach of that 1999 title-winning team Jonas Kazlauskas was in the arena among others. 

And what they saw was a Zalgiris team get off the mat and show it is still alive in the race for the Play-In Showdown.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How do you like these retro anniversary jerseys? 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/5usawmgzcF">pic.twitter.com/5usawmgzcF</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1770156748915044549?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Zalgiris came into the game with a three-game losing streak and knowing it was two games behind the last post-season spot with a number of teams in the way. 

“We were coming from a difficult stint but this was the best answer we could give to our fans,” the coach said. 

“We are very happy. A three-game losing streak is not fun. And to be able to pick up a huge win in a double week in front of these fans is amazing,” said Keenan Evans, who scored 14 points with 7 assists in the win.

Zalgiris knows its path to the Play-Ins Showdown will not be easy. It has four games left: three of them at home - Round 31 versus Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, Round 32 against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Round 33 at AS Monaco and the final game versus Real Madrid.

And Zalgiris has a recent past with happy endings as the team beat FC Bayern Munich in Germany last April 80-83 in Round 34 to sneak into the Playoffs. 

With the 1999 EuroLeague anniversary as an inspiration, Zalgiris still could pull it off. 

Game News

The Lithuanian champs wore special retro jerseys with some of the 1999 heroes in attendance 

Tomislav Mijatovic's Anadolu Efes heads into the final four games of the regular season knowing one thing: it needs to win from here on out.

Anadolu Efes won’t go down without a fight in play-in battle

With just four games remaining in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, time is starting to run out for teams looking to make up ground in the push to make the postseason. That is particularly true for Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

After Round 24, Efes found itself with a 9-15 record and the possibility of making the EuroLeague Playoffs a long way away. Despite boasting a roster that includes the likes of [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/), [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) and [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/), the Turkish side, then led by Erdem Can, had failed to live up to the excitement that surrounded the team during last year’s offseason.

### Seeking a miracle

The Efes management decided that enough was enough and parted ways with Coach Can with immediate effect. Rumors swirled about who his replacement would be, but in the end, they chose a man who has seen it all at Efes over the last 14 years: Tomislav Mijatovic, the former assistant to Dusan Ivkovic (2014-16), Ahmet Caki (2016), Velimir Perasovic (2016-17), Ergin Ataman (2017-23) and Can (2023-24).

Now, Coach Mijatovic is trying to pull off a miracle – and he’s making good progress so far. Since his appointment, Efes has gone 4-2, including a perfect 4-0 at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall. Of those four home victories, two came against teams in the play-in race – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and FC Bayern Munich – one was against a Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv side currently in seventh, the first of four play-in spots, and the other, which arrived on Tuesday night, [was against an Olympiacos Piraeus team occupying sixth position](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-anadolu-efes-sk-vs-olympiacos-bc/), the final place that guarantees direct access to the playoffs. In short, it has been impressive.

Lucky charm Moses Wright has won all six of his games for the Reds, netting a team-high 19 points on perfect two-point shooting in their derby win, whilst Efes big man Tyrique Jones, has double-digit scoring in three of the last four as he and his team continue to battle for a place amongst the top-ten.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Olympiacos Piraeus | Round 30 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Admittedly, there was a head-scratching 84-80 defeat to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 29, while the first loss of the Mijatovic era at Efes occurred, also on the road, at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 27. Nonetheless, there have been signs that Efes is trending in the right direction, which should make for a fascinating end to the regular season.

Efes remains on the outside looking in regarding the play-in race, sitting in 13th, one game back of Partizan in 10th, but Valencia Basket and Bayern – in 11th and 12th, respectively – face each other on Wednesday night. Given that Efes holds the tiebreaker over Bayern and not Valencia, a victory for Pablo Laso’s side would be big for Coach Mijatovic and his charges heading into Thursday night’s game at home to ALBA.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;We ain&#39;t done yet!&quot; 🤜🤛<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhereIStand?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhereIStand</a> <a href="https://t.co/rmzZEhgI5p">pic.twitter.com/rmzZEhgI5p</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1770168551090897194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That ALBA clash is Efes’s penultimate fixture at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall this year, and it is the final game before the Turkish side has back-to-back road contests at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Therefore, anything other than a win would all but end the club’s hopes of making it to the postseason. 

### An important win over Olympiacos

The good news is that Efes has been particularly impressive in its own gym all season long, boasting an 11-4 record at home, and it will be keen to replicate the level of performance it displayed during its Round 30 win against Olympiacos, a team that had won six straight before Tuesday night.

“The players and the fans together, the synergy, they did an amazing job. Hat’s off to them, big thanks to them,” commented Coach Mijatovic after the victory against Olympiacos. We fought and we played against a great team. We got one important victory, which we’re going to \[celebrate\] tonight, and tomorrow we’re going to start preparing for our next opponent, ALBA, on Thursday.

“Our team is a united team; these guys keep fighting. Even when we did something maybe unexpected, we kept on grinding. Even in the games where we maybe didn’t play so well, we kept on grinding. I’m hoping that these guys have enough power – and I know they have enough heart – to keep doing this game in, game out.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">🗣️ Koç Tomislav Mijatovic’in galibiyet konuşması!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/iNc30QOj6b">pic.twitter.com/iNc30QOj6b</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1770175465128431825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Coach Mijatovic was able to lean on a number of players in the Olympiacos triumph, with usual suspects Larkin and Clyburn getting support from [Derek Willis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/derek-willis/009664/), [Rodrigue Beaubois](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rodrigue-beaubois/006590/) and [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/). Veteran [Tibor Pleiss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tibor-pleiss/lhk/) got the party started with 3 straight threes to put Efes 9-0 up – it never trailed the rest of the way.

Efes certainly knows the task it has on its hands, but it has the talent and the desire to end the season on a high. Perhaps it will end up being too little, too late, but without trying, it’s impossible to know.

“When we play at home, we have the fans with us and we can really feel it from them,” noted Beaubois following the Olympiacos win. “Hopefully we can do the same thing in two days \[against ALBA\] because it’s going to be a really important game. We need to stay together and believe. The most important thing is to believe.”

That’s certainly the word Coach Mijatovic and all Efes fans will be preaching right now: belief.

More Efes News

The Anadolu Efes Istanbul players come together after their win against Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 30 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Tuesday saw the team grab an important win over Olympiacos

Efes won’t go down without a fight in play-in battle

KK Partizan duo Frank Kaminsky and Bruno Caboclo impressed in their team's win against Baskonia, which should be a good sign moving forward.

KK Partizan’s big man combo showed what they can offer in Baskonia win

Every win at this time of the year is crucial, but especially for a team like Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade that is fighting to stay in the race for the Play-In Showdown.

The absence of [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/), who returned to the United States for personal reasons, could have had a negative impact on the team, but instead [Frank Kaminsky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/frank-kaminsky/012743/) and [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) stepped up as [Partizan grabbed an 87-83 win against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-kk-partizan-vs-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/), another team currently occupying one of the four play-in spots.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">BRAVO CRNO-BELI!🖤🤍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dbn3TpqWzG">pic.twitter.com/Dbn3TpqWzG</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1770225036923728221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In fact, it was Kaminsky and Caboclo who got Partizan going early, with the American scoring the first five points of the contest. The decision of Zeljko Obradovic to start both big men had had mixed results in previous games this season, but in Round 30 it paid dividends, particularly in the first quarter. Baskonia simply had no answer for the two centers as Kaminsky stretched the floor and Caboclo did his damage inside.

Partizan held a 23-16 lead over Baskonia after the first quarter, but 17 of those points had come from Kaminsky and Caboclo: 8 for the former, 9 for the latter. While Caboclo was able to add to his tally in the second quarter, moving to 15 points with yet more dominant play in the paint, Kaminsky sat on the bench. That would prove to be a masterstroke after halftime, though, as Kaminsky scored 10 third-quarter points to give him 18 in the game, the same as Caboclo.

Baskonia are on a roll after winning four of its last five, but those were all at home and have won only one of its last six away, while Partizan has suffered on their travels to slip down the standings, but tasted victory in four of its last five. Who can claim that coveted head-to-head advantage?

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 30 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

When the final buzzer sounded, Kaminsky had 20 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists while Caboclo had posted an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double which also included 1 steal and 2 blocks. As Kaminsky recognized after the game, it was important that both he and Caboclo had a performance like this.

“There was a huge whole in our team without Zach being here,” he noted. “I know [Kevin \[Punter\]](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/)’s our captain, but Zach is like an emotional leader for us. I think Bruno and I both were thinking about it, that we had to step up and fill that role and provide some of the energy that Zach always brings every single game, especially at home – he’s the one that really gets the crowd into it. Just wanted to pick it up for our brother and go out there and perform.”

Things don’t get any easier for Partizan as it hosts Real Madrid on Thursday, but Tuesday’s win over Baskonia showed that Kaminsky and Caboclo could cause some problems for *Los Blancos*. Although both players were not on the team for last year’s playoff defeat to Real, a similar level of performance to Tuesday night – and a win – would quickly see them become idols among the Partizan supporters.

More Partizan News

Frank Kaminsky celebrates during Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's win against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 30 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Frank Kaminsky and Bruno Caboclo combined for 38 of their team’s 87 points

Partizan’s big man combo showed what they can offer in Baskonia win

Anadolu Efes S.K. scored 48 first-half points against Olympiacos B.C., the joint third most given up by the Greek team this season, after hitting an impressive 10 threes inside the first 20 minutes.

Anadolu Efes stunned Olympiacos with offense-heavy first half

It was almost a case of déjà vu for Olympiacos Piraeus as it got off to a slow start against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, just like it did against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens last week. This time, though, Efes went from strength to strength as it grabbed a must-win victory in the play-in race.

Efes knew that it needed to come out on top on Thursday evening, but it wouldn’t be easy against an Olympiacos side that had won six straight. Nerves were to be expected, but [Tibor Pleiss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tibor-pleiss/lhk/) calmed things down inside Sinan Erdem Sports Hall by hitting 3 straight three-pointers to put Efes 9-0 ahead early. The veteran big man didn’t score a single point in the remainder of the contest, but you could make a case that his points were the most important.

That 9-0 start seemed to allow the other Efes players to find their groove, with [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/)’s triple putting the hosts 12-2 ahead four minutes into the game. Expectedly, there was a bit of response from Olympiacos after that, but Efes’s ability to make three-pointer after three-pointer poured cold water on any hopes the Reds had of completing a quick turnaround.

By the end of the first quarter, Efes led 26-21 and had shot 6 for 8 from three-point range, as Pleiss made 3, Clyburn 1 and [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) 2. Tomislav Mijatovic had seen five of his players get on the board, too, compared to three for Olympiacos in the first 10 minutes.

The déjà vu for Olympiacos looked like it was going to come to fruition when Moses Wright made it a one-point game on a couple of occasions early in the second quarter, having also come to the fore in the second quarter of his first-ever Greek Derby last Thursday evening. Yet, the threeball kept coming to Efes’s rescue as it found a way to stay ahead on the scoreboard.

When [Derek Willis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/derek-willis/009664/) hit a couple of triples in the final minutes before halftime, Efes’s ninth and 10th makes from deep on the night, the hosts had reestablished a double-digit lead, 46-35, before taking a 48-37 advantage into the break. Curiously, those 48 points are tied for the third-highest number of points Olympiacos has given up in a half all season long.

The previous three times that Olympiacos’s opponent had scored 48 or more points in a first half this season, it had gone 1-2, losing to Real Madrid and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz but beating ALBA Berlin. Well, that mark is now 1-3 as [Efes went on to triumph 85-72](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-anadolu-efes-sk-vs-olympiacos-bc/), having never trailed.

Efes displayed what it is capable of on both defense and offense in the first half against Olympiacos, with nine of the 11 players who stepped onto the court scoring inside the opening 20 minutes. What’s more, the team had shot 10 of 14 on three-pointers, meaning that 71.4% of its first-half points had come from behind the arc.

With just four games to go in the regular season, Coach Mijatovic will be looking for that same level of intensity from here on out, starting against ALBA on Thursday night.

Shane Larkin in action for Anadolu Efes Istanbul against Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 30 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

There were contributions from a plethora of players

Efes stunned Olympiacos with offense-heavy first half

Maccabi has engineered a 10-4 record in Belgrade and on Tuesday night it overcame a spirited challenge from ASVEL on the back of superb performances from the team’s top three players, none more so than Wade Baldwin.

Wade Baldwin led Maccabi’s big three in tough win over ASVEL

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv looked like its three-game winning streak was coming to an end against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, as the Israeli side trailed for much of an enthralling contest. In yet another game played at a home away from home, Belgrade’s Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, where Maccabi hosts its rivals due to the ongoing war in Israel, it came down to pure grit and determination.

It’s been a tough environment for Maccabi, which moved to the Serbian capital after playing its opening game of the season against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Tel Aviv, but the former winners of six continental championships have stepped up to the plate.

Maccabi has engineered a 10-4 record in Belgrade and on Tuesday night it overcame a spirited challenge from ASVEL on the back of superb performances from the team’s top three players, none more so than Wade Baldwin.

The guard lit up the contest with a staggering tally of 30 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds, stealing the show from his ASVEL counterpart Nando De Colo who became the first EuroLeague player to surpass the mark of 5,000 PIR points.

Post-game comments by Wade Baldwin, Josh Nebo

Baldwin carried Maccabi with a heroic solo effort, complemented by massive contributions from towering center Josh Nebo (18 points and 10 rebounds) and Bonzie Colson (23 points).

In his post-game comments, Baldwin acknowledged that Maccabi dug deep to grind out a precious win, keeping the team firmly in the post-season picture, as it also boosted its hopes of clinching an automatic playoff berth.

“We continued to find a way to win games,” said Baldwin, who turns 28 later this month. “We have guys who are committed to doing the right things and play hard when we need to. We are competing to beat a top-six team and tonight was a good push to get there."

Baldwin then highlighted that Maccabi has toughened up in the face of adversity, having been unable to play in front of their passionate home fans all season.

“Everyone around the league knows the circumstances we are going through this year, but it’s not an excuse. We’ve used it as an excuse for far too long but it’s not an excuse anymore, we have to continue to find ways to win games,” he said.

Nebo concurred with Baldwin in his assessment that it was a hard-fought victory against battling ASVEL: “The game wasn’t pretty, we didn’t play our best basketball but we found a way to win and that’s the most important thing right now,” he said. “It’s not easy playing with no fans but we’ve been doing it all year so we are now used to it.”

Head coach Oded Kattash stressed that the performance left something to be desired but lauded his team for stepping up to the plate late in the game when the chips were down.

“The pressure was on us, especially at this stage of the season,” Kattash commented. “We missed some open shots and it made an impact at the other end of the court, but once again we showed character to beat a good team. We face another aggressive team in our next game at Bayern Munich, which is also a tough place to play.”

The 27-year-old shooting guard served up one of his best performances in Europe’s premier club competition

Real Madrid managed to secure a hard-fought 79-86 victory despite taking to the Mercedes-Benz Arena floor without key guards Sergio Rodriguez and Sergio Llull, neither of whom travelled to Germany. 

Hezonja and Yabusele stepped up for undermanned Real Madrid at ALBA

Real Madrid managed to secure a hard-fought 79-86 victory despite taking to the Mercedes-Benz Arena floor without key guards Sergio Rodriguez and Sergio Llull, neither of whom travelled to Germany. Rudy Fernandez also missed out, while Dzanan Musa was a last-minute scratch and ALBA Berlin made the most of *Los Blancos*’ absences to hit the ground running on Tuesday night.

ALBA took a double-digit lead (26-16) into the second quarter and was up by 4 (40-36) at halftime. The hosts even took a 13-point lead (51-38) 3 minutes into the third quarter, but Real Madrid forwards Mario Hezonja and Guerschon Yabusele came to the fore to turn the game around. Having scored at least 10 points in six of his previous seven games, Hezonja finished Tuesday’s clash on 22 points, shooting 5-for-6 from inside the arc, 2-for-5 from deep and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.

Mario Hezonja (22 points) Highlights vs. ALBA Berlin, 03/19/2024

Mario Hezonja scored 22 points against ALBA Berlin

Hezonja also grabbed a game-high 8 rebounds for a Real Madrid side that dominated the boards, outrebounding the hosts 25-44. One of the most important rebounds of the night was picked up by Yabusele with 36 seconds left on the clock. Walter Tavares had just missed his second straight free throw with the score at 77-81, when the Real Madrid forward outmuscled his opponents to down the offensive board and finished from inside to give *Los Blancos* a 6-point cushion.

“We have a lot of players,” Hezonja noted in the post-game interview. “Sometimes it’s bad for us, sometimes it’s good. But it’s a next-man-up mentality too. There are a lot of guys who are still sick. We have a lot of health issues and injuries, but we keep going no matter what. Every game matters for us. It doesn’t matter that we are first, we want to keep going and win the league again.”

Winning away at Berlin was an important step in that direction, as a few days after clinching playoff qualification, Real Madid has managed to seal home-court advantage with four games to go.

“We’re going to try to improve our record and our game too,” head coach Chus Mateo noted after the game. “We will fight to go to the Final Four. It’s not going to be easy for sure, because the EuroLeague is the toughest competition in the world.”

Having improved to a 24-6 record, *Los Blancos* will now visit a hostile Stark Arena, where Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade will host Real Madrid in a rematch of last season’s incredible playoff series. It remains to be seen which players will be available for Thursday’s clash, but the Spanish side proved again on Tuesday night that it has the squad depth to end the last double-round week of the season in style.

The two combined for 39 points in Tuesday's victory

KK Partizan came away with an 87-83 win against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at Stark Arena in Round 30 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

KK Partizan holds on to defeat Baskonia, 87-83

<incrowd-live-blog id="65f954b18fa86420fd5a04e8" client-id="EUROLEAGUE" server="standard"></incrowd-live-blog><script src="https://live-blog.incrowdsports.com/index.js"></script>

Aleksa Avramovic and Kevin Punter of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade come together during their team's win against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 30 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Come the end of the regular season, this could be a huge result in the play-in race