The Players View returns to EuroLeagueTV with a special guest on Thursday night to offer another unique look at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague from the perspective of those who played in it. Regular co-host [Michael Roll will be joined by a current Joventut Badalona veteran guard Andrew Andrews](https://www.euroleague.tv/live/260813). The two will sit down to watch AS Monaco welcome Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade as Mike James, a close friend of Andrews and a fellow Portland, Oregon native, makes a run at breaking the all-time EuroLeague scoring record, needing just 12 points to do so.

As always, there's no better way to get the low-down on what's happening on the court than to listen to the live insights of one current and one former pro, who happened to face each other during the time when they both played in Turkey. The Players' View is available exclusively to EuroLeagueTV subscribers. [Get your pass now](https://tv.euroleague.net/) to make sure you don't miss any of the action.

The Players View welcomes Andrew Andrews for Monaco vs. Zvezda tonight!

The battle for the postseason is heating up

Olympiacos, Virtus start a series of playoff-race clashes

A busy Thursday night in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague pits a winner of four games in a row, [Olympiacos Piraeus (16-11), against the visiting Virtus Segafredo Bologna (17-10) at a sold-out Peace and Friendship Stadium](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/247/). It’s fair to say that this is a fixture that could have big playoff implications.

After all, the two sides are a part of a six-team group that has separated itself in the standings and are battling in two simultaneous races. 

The first is the race for the five *remaining* places that ensure direct qualification to the playoffs. We say remaining because those five teams would be joining the all-but-qualified league leader Real Madrid (22-5).

### The battle for home-court advantage

But those six clubs are also battling, alongside Real, for the all-important home-court advantage in the playoffs. 

Each of the next five four rounds brings one clash between the six teams in question.

FC Barcelona (18-9) is in the best position among the six clubs, but it has five of its last seven games on the road, including trips to Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (17-10) and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (16-11) in Rounds 30 and 31, the final double-round week of the season.

Panathinaikos has the toughest schedule among this group, with three games against direct playoff opponents, including road contests in Piraeus and Bologna.

Virtus, apart from that Round 32 game against Panathinaikos, also welcomes Real next week, while AS Monaco (17-10) is the outlier. Monaco is the only team that plays all of its last seven games against teams that currently do not have a winning record, and five of those contests are on its home floor.

Fenerbahce, which is two wins behind Barcelona in the standings, has one game against a direct playoff-chasing rival in the next five rounds, which is against the Greens, but it will have to travel to Piraeus in the regular-season finale.

Both Fenerbahce and Olympiacos still have four home games remaining, one more than Panathinaikos and Virtus, but one could say Olympiacos holds its destiny in its own hands given it has three more fixtures against direct rivals, all of which are on its home floor.

Offensive production is becoming a major issue for Olympiacos, who average 76.4 ppg (third worst in the league) and were held to just 56 in a loss to Valencia. They could be outgunned by Isaia Cordinier, who has made six of his last eight attempts from deep for a Virtus team which ranks second for assists.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna-Olympiacos Piraeus | Round 15 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Olympiacos vs. Virtus

So, the unraveling of the playoff race starts tonight as Olympiacos will try to continue its historic home dominance over Virtus and get revenge for a dramatic loss in Bologna in Round 15, which was Virtus's first win over the Reds this century.

Olympiacos has won all nine of its home games against Virtus in an almost 50-year history of their head-to-head clashes, including a 117-71 thrashing last season that saw the Greek side set a club scoring record.

But the Reds will not have all of their weapons at their disposal as [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) (9.3 ppg, 4.7 apg., 1.3 spg.), the leader of the EuroLeague's best defense (75.3 ppg.), is nursing an ankle injury and might miss the game, while center [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) has been sidelined after foot surgery.

Meanwhile, Virtus forward [Tornike Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) might be out following an ankle injury in Round 27.

But both teams have lots of other weapons and experienced players. Forward [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) is having a career year, averaging 14.3 points on an outstanding 55.8% three-point shooting while pulling down 5.1 rebounds, while sharpshooter [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) makes triples at a 45.9% rate and averages 12.4 points per night.

Look for them to lead the Reds against the visitors, who got the win in their first meeting behind 13 points from [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) and 12 from [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/), while [Daniel Hackett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-hackett/001844/) had 8 points and 6 assists.

If Virtus pulls out a win and gets a regular-season sweep, it would bring a little more clarity to the playoff race. However, if Olympiacos protects its home floor and wins, it will complicate things a little more.

Olympiacos Piraeus v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-03-07T20:00:00.000Z)

Check out some bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 28 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Bold predictions: Round 28

### James get it before the break

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

Thursday is expected to be a historical night for AS Monaco scoring guard Mike James, who is 12 points away from becoming the competition's all-time top scorer, going past Vassilis Spanoulis. Everything should be ready at Salle Gaston Medecin for James's big night against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, and my guess is that fans won't have to wait too long for James to get those 12 points. In fact, I predict he will get them before halftime. Given his competitive nature and character, James will want to get that distraction out of the way as soon as possible, focus on winning the game and celebrate after, if possible, with a victory. His biggest scoring mark this season is 28 points, and I believe James will be close to that number, maybe getting more points, and leading Monaco to an important home win. 

### Fenerbahce will pile more misery on Real Madrid

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Real Madrid may be the leading the way at the top of the EuroLeague standings, but I think Los Blancos are about to suffer their second straight defeat at WiZink Center. Following an 86-97 loss at home to Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens last week, I think Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul also has what it takes to beat Real on its own patch. Fenerbahce is coming off a game in which it set club records in points (111) and assists (32) in a 111-96 triumph over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, so it should be feeling pretty good about itself right now. Having last beaten Real at WiZink on March 2, 2018, two and a half months before they met in the EuroLeague Championship Game, a win for Fenerbahce would not only be a statement to the rest of the EuroLeague, but the Turkish side could see jump into the top six if things go its way. It would be a nice belated birthday present for Saras Jasikevicius, too, as he turned 48 on Tuesday.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Günün idmanının ardından başantrenörümüz Sarunas Jasikevicius’un doğum gününü kutladık! 🎂 <a href="https://t.co/ifQ3PQQuUd">pic.twitter.com/ifQ3PQQuUd</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1765020721267212413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Valencia will beat the odds, and Barcelona

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

Valencia is in a tight fight for its first EuroLeague postseason berth in more than a decade, but in my opinion, odds are against Valencia in that race due to a tough schedule mostly against opponents with equal or better records to its own. Plus, just three of its last seven games are at home. One of those is on Thursday against second-place FC Barcelona. This will be their fourth meeting this season; Barcelona won their EuroLeague game in Round 9, but Valencia took both of their Spanish League contests, though all three of those games were decided by 4 points or fewer. I believe Valencia will find a way to beat the odds, and beat Barcelona, to improve its postseason chances. I think Chris Jones will get support of two former Barcelona players, Brandon Davies and Kevin Pangos, and they will thrill the fans at La Fonteta.

After consecutive thrilling home wins, fast-rising Partizan bid to make it three in a row against a Milan team longing to bounce back from two straight losses. Energy reserves are to be tested with both fresh from overtime showdowns with Partizan overcoming Monaco, while Milan feel to defeat at Bayern.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | Round 13 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Partizan climbs into the Play-In Showdown spots

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

Partizan is only 3-11 on the road this season and Valencia is 8-6 at home, but I think they are in for opposite fates this week. I like Partizan to beat Milan on the road and Valencia to lose at home to Barcelona. Since one of Partizan's road wins was in Valencia and they don't meet again until Round 34, they will be even with 14-14 records and head coach Zeljko Obradovic's men can overtake Valencia for 10th place if the combined margin of difference in this week's games is at least 11 points. I think that will happen and Partizan will inch into the top 10. That's my double prediction.

Mathias Lessort has always had stature, but now he has also status in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as one of the best in his position. Eurohoops explains how the 28-year-old French center of Panathinaikos made this happen.

Mathias Lessort, Panathinaikos: Walking tall

Imagine an island between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, full of greenery and above all full of hospitable and hardworking residents. Imagine a family whose father has played as a goalkeeper and whose carefree children kick around a soccer ball on the field.

Now imagine one of those kids years later, on another continent, in another sport, with a little more height and plenty of stature, and imagine him as one of the top centers in Europe’s top basketball competition.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1639450/mathias-lessort-panathinaikos-walking-tall/)

After winning three of its last four, FC Bayern Munich (12-15) will attempt to maintain its postseason challenge with a testing trip to unpredictable direct rival Anadolu Efes Istanbul (11-16). 

https://bridge.incrowdsports.com/content/content-form/626866ed-ec77-4a2c-890e-d655b2597812

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/244/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-ist-mun/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-ist-mun/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-ist-mun/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

These teams' strengths lie in different areas, with the Efes relying on star guard [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/), who memorably scored 49 points against Bayern in 2019. The German team, on the other hand, will look to dominate the frontcourt through the duo of [Devin Booker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devin-booker/007056/) and [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/), who combined for 34 points and 14 rebounds in last week's win over Zvezda. Bayern also possesses long-range shooting threats like [Andreas Obst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andreas-obst/004508/), who netted 17 points in a 86-71 home win over Efes in Round 15.

[Efes Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/statistics/ist/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Bayern Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/statistics/mun/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Tyrique Jones vs. Devin Booker: Two like-minded centers will battle above the rim on Thursday.

Bayern has won three in a row on their homecourt and try to maintain their fortress through the prowess of Serge Ibaka, who leads the league in blocked shots. Meanwhile, injury-hit Efes are lifted by newcomer Mike Daum, who's averaged 13.8 points on 52.6% three-point shooting in his four appearances.

FC Bayern Munich-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | Round 15 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Efes, Bayern tussle over much-needed win

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v FC Bayern Munich (2024-03-07T17:30:00.000Z)

Red-hot AS Monaco (17-10) will look to make it seven straight wins with a visit from Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (10-17), which is falling away from top-ten contention after losing five of the last six.

 James aims for record as streaking Monaco hosts Zvezda 

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/245/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-mco-red/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-mco-red/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-mco-redn/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

All eyes will be on Monaco ace [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), who needs just 12 points to overtake Vassilis Spanoulis as the competition's all-time leading scorer. James made the difference when the teams met in Round 3, with his double-double of 18 points and 11 assists helping to overcome 20 points from [Rokas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rokas-giedraitis/006436/) to secure a 76-82 road win for Monaco. Zvezda big men [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) and [LukaMitrovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luka-mitrovic/002553/) will also have to battle in the paint to control [Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donta-hall/011196/) and [Donatas Moteijunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/), who each played a big role in Monaco's epic win at Barcelona last week.

[Monaco Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/statistics/mco/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Zvezda Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/statistics/red/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Mike James vs. Nemanja Nedovic: These super-quick scoring guards will duel for points on Thursday.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-AS Monaco | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

James aims for record as streaking Monaco hosts Zvezda

AS Monaco v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-03-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (14-13) will look to solidify its position in the top ten and establish a four-game lead over visiting Zalgiris Kaunas (11-16). 

Maccabi looks to sweep visiting Zalgiris

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/246/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-tel-zal/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-tel-zal/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-tel-zal/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

After scoring at least 16 points in eight consecutive games, [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) will again attempt to lead the Maccabi offense against an equally inspirational [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/), who scored 18 in last week's loss to Olympiacos. Maccabi boasts the league's second-best offense, at 87.1 points per game, but leaned on excellent defense to secure a 70-78 road win in Kaunas in December. That was unusual because overall Maccabi ranks next-to-worst defensively, allowing 87.8 points per game, so Zalgiris will hope Evans and versatile power forward [Rolands Smits](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rolands-smits/007109/) can step up to take a much-needed road triumph.

[Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Zalgiris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/statistics/zal/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Wade Baldwin vs. Keenan Evans: Two of the hottest performers in the EuroLeague square off on Thursday.

Zalgiris wish to restore winning-ways and are expected to turn to backcourt star and former Maccabi player Keenan Evans for a focal point, whereas the visitors may lean on Lorenzo Brown to repeat his high standards of 14.8 ppg and should be welcoming back team captain John DiBartolomeo to the squad.

Zalgiris Kaunas-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 17 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-03-07T19:05:00.000Z)

A Spanish derby with plenty of significance in the race for the playoffs sees Valencia Basket (13-14) welcome an FC Barcelona (18-9) team that will play five of its last seven games on the road.

Valencia, Barcelona vie in regional derby

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-fc-barcelona/E2023/249/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-val-bar/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-val-bar/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-val-bar/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

Last week's loss in Bologna again showed Valencia's tendency to be over-reliant on playmaker [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/), whose 20 points made him the only Taronjas player to score in double digits. The host certainly needs a big contribution from former Barca center [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/) as he confronts [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/). Vesely was the decisive force, scoring 17 points, as his team edged Valencia 74-70 earlier in the season, and he was also Barca's best player in last week's home loss to Monaco.

[Valencia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/statistics/pam/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Brandon Davies vs. Jan Vesely: A pair of veteran centers will anchor their teams in the paint on Thursday.

FC Barcelona-Valencia Basket | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Valencia Basket v FC Barcelona (2024-03-07T19:30:00.000Z)

After losing its 100% home record with last week's setback against Panathinaikos, league leader Real Madrid (22-5) faces a familiar foe as Sarunas Jasikevicius brings his dangerous Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (16-11) to the WiZink Center.

Real angles for playoff qualification against visiting Fenerbahce

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/248/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-facts-mad-ulk/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-game-notes-mad-ulk/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs28-prequotes-mad-ulk/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-28/)

Real will guarantee qualification for the playoffs with a win, but faces the first team it lost to this season, with Fener taking that overtime tussle 100-99 thanks to 21 points from [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) in Round 11. The Turkish team's offense was working to perfection in last week's record win over Baskonia, with [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) dishing 12 of the team's 32 assists. Real will look for [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) to dominate the backcourt both with and without the ball in this heavyweight matchup.

[Madrid Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Fenerbahce Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/statistics/ulk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Dzanan Musa vs. Marko Guduric: Two savvy perimeter threats will take each other on Thursday.

After sweeping aside Maccabi, 70-99, Real continues its own double-round week by travelling to a Fenerbahce team that has won all four games at home so far this season. Expect a physical affair featuring the top three shot blockers, which are Walter Tavares, Vincent Poirier and Georgios Papagiannis.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul-Real Madrid | Round 11 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Real Madrid v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-03-07T19:45:00.000Z)