Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. defeated Panathinaikos B.C. 90-75 in Round 23 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. uses strong finish to beat Panathinaikos B.C., 90-75

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Bonzie Colson of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv is defended by Marius Grigonis of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in Round 23 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Israeli side completed the season sweep of the Greens.

Maccabi uses strong finish to beat Panathinaikos, 90-75

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-01-25T19:05:00.000Z)

Fenerbahçe Beko went up a couple of gears on defense in the second half as it defeated Virtus Bologna 88-75 in Round 23 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Fenerbahçe Beko leaned on strong start to second half in win over Virtus Bologna

A [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) deep three-pointer just before the halftime buzzer ensured that Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul led by 5 points, 52-47, against Virtus Segafredo Bologna at the interval. Both teams had experienced plenty of joy on offense in the first half, but it was a different story after the break.

[Fenerbahce ended up coming away with an 88-75 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-vs-virtus-bologna/), which gave it the tiebreaker over Virtus, and it first began to take control of the contest at the start of the second half. Baskets that Virtus was able to score in the opening 20 minutes suddenly became a lot harder to come by, with Saras Jasikevicius’s side opening a big lead that became too much for the visitors to overcome.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A İ L E! 💛💙<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/G9v44HA7pE">pic.twitter.com/G9v44HA7pE</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1750618910058311804?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### The decisive moment in the game

[Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) and new signing [Amine Noua](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/amine-noua/006068/), who made his Fenerbahce debut in Round 23, allowed the hosts to go 56-47 ahead, before [Daniel Hackett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daniel-hackett/001844/) hit back for Virtus, 56-49. It took Virtus 2:09 minutes to score its first basket of the second half, then it would take almost 4 minutes for Luca Banchi’s squad to score again. Prior to [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) scoring with 3:56 remaining in the quarter, Fenerbahce had swelled its lead to 64-49.

By the time the third quarter was over, Fenerbahce had outscored Virtus 19-9 to take a 71-56 lead into the final period. Virtus then started to pick it up on offense, cutting the deficit to 8 points on two occasions in the first half of the fourth, but Fenerbahce always had the talent on offense to fire back again.

In fact, Fenerbahce looked on course to secure a 16-point win, 88-72, but [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) fouled Cordinier on a three-pointer, with the Frenchman making all 3. That proved to be the final score as Fenerbahce secured an 88-75 win, which means the team is 8-2 since Coach Jasikevicius was appointed and is now firmly positioned in the playoff spots.

“Defensively, it was a tale of two halves,” reflected Jasikevicius. “In the first, we were not playing good defense, only surviving on great offense. In the second half, we turned it around, started picking it up a bit physically, stole some balls, pushed them out of their positions by denying the wings and so on. It’s a great performance by our team in the second half.”

Perhaps Thursday night’s victory will be a good example of the type of defense Fenerbahce can play once the playoffs roll around. Certainly, there’s no team in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague that would look forward to facing Jasikevicius’s squad.

More Fenerbahce News

Scottie Wilbekin of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul is guarded by Isaia Cordinier of Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 23 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The visitors were restricted to just 2 points through the first 6 minutes of the third quarter.

Fenerbahce leaned on strong start to second half in win over Virtus

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-01-25T17:45:00.000Z)

Fenerbahçe Beko grabbed an important win in the race for the EuroLeague Playoffs by defeating Virtus Bologna 88-75 in Round 23 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Fenerbahçe Beko downs Virtus Bologna, 88-75, after stepping up its defense

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Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul duo Nick Calathes and Scottie Wilbekin try to retrieve the ball from Virtus Segafredo Bologna guard Iffe Lundberg in Round 23 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

After an offensive showdown in the first half, a defensive battle took place after the break.

Fenerbahce downs Virtus, 88-75, after stepping up its defense

Since the start of 2024, few Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players have produced as much, and as consistently, as Crvena Zvezda Merdianbet Belgrade forward Rokas Giedraitis.

 Who's hot: Rokas Giedraitis, Crvena Zvezda 

Since the start of 2024, few players have produced as much, and as consistently, as Crvena Zvezda Merdianbet Belgrade forward [Rokas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-giedraitis/006436/).

In five games during the month of January, Zvezda has registered three wins, all by 9 points or more: on the road at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, as well as at home against arch rival Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

In each those games, as well as in Zvezda's two losses against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz, Giedraitis has played at least 26 minutes, has scored at least 12 points, made at least 2 three-point shots, had at least 1 steal, and posted a PIR of 17 or higher 

Only six players had accumulated a PIR of 100 or more, for an average of 20.0 or better, over the five January games, and one of them is Giedraitis.

He started the year with 19 points and 7 rebounds for a PIR of 22 against Fenerbahce, then had 14 points and 7 rebounds against Partizan, accumulating and index rating of 21.

Giedraitis scored 12 points and collected 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists for a PIR of 17 against ASVEL, then two days later went on to post 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and a block for a 27 PIR in Milan.

Last week, against his former team Baskonia, he had 13 points plus 5 rebounds, and a PIR of 17.

Since the start of 2024, only a handful of players have produced as much, and as consistently, as Crvena Zvezda Merdianbet Belgrade forward Rokas Giedraitis.

Who's hot: Rokas Giedraitis, Crvena Zvezda

On Thursday, the 31-year old playing in his fifth EuroLeague season faces another of his former teams, ALBA Berlin. He enters that contest averaging 16.0 points in the month of January, tied for the eighth best in the league, while connecting on 52.6% of his shot attempts from long range. He is also posting 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals this month, for an average PIR of 20.8.

That's a major improvement from the first 17 rounds of this season, during which Giedraitis had averages of 9.2 points on 35.6% three-point shooting, along with 3.5 rebounds and less than 1.0 steal.

In a familiar setting, Giedraitis and Zvezda hope he remains hot in the German capital and helps to register another road win that would improve the team's chances in the playoff race.

More news about Rokas Giedraitis

During the month of January, Giedraitis has been one of the most productive players in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.



ALBA Berlin v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-01-25T19:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid Baloncesto and Olympiacos B.C. face off in Round 23 in a rematch of last season's EuroLeague Championship Game.

Wounded Real Madrid Baloncesto welcomes undermanned Olympiacos B.C. to WiZink Center

Fixtures between Real Madrid and Olympiacos Piraeus have taken on a whole new level of intrigue following what happened in Kaunas, Lithuania, last May. Just as it looked like the Reds were going to win their fourth Turkish Airlines EuroLeague trophy, victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat by a Real side that refused to wilt, with [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) scoring the crucial title-winning basket [to secure a 78-79 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/championship-game-blog-olympiacos-piraeus-vs-real-madrid/) with 3 seconds to go.

To make matters worse, a red-hot atmosphere was on show at Peace and Friendship Stadium in Round 12 of this current campaign when Olympiacos hosted Real. It was their first meeting since the championship game, but *Los Blancos* had an easier ride this time as they came away with a 71-77 triumph.

### Los Blancos without two key contributors

Some good news for Olympiacos fans is that they will not have to be reminded of that shot – or not much, at least – as Llull is out indefinitely with a foot injury. Another player who became a nightmare for Reds supporters was [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/), but he is another who will miss Thursday night’s Round 23 clash with an ankle injury.

On top of the absences of Llull and Tavares, Real may also be without the services of [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/), a player who didn’t feature in last year’s championship game due to suspension. He is dealing with a knee strain and his status for Real’s game against Olympiacos is uncertain. Fortunately for Real, it welcomed back [Gabriel Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) last week; otherwise, that would have been another big name who is unavailable.

### The Milutinov injury

Things are not all rosy for Olympiacos, however. On top of the injury to [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/), who [has a knee problem and is expected to be out until early February](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacoss-fall-to-miss-three-weeks-with-knee-injury/), fellow center [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) – coming off a monster 20-point, 20-rebound double-double last week – [suffered an ankle injury against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/nikola-milutinov-suffers-ankle-injury/) in the Greek League on Monday and is ruled out for the Reds’ trip to WiZink Center.

Not having Fall was already resulting in Milutinov playing more minutes, but now Olympiacos is without its two top options at the center position. Therefore, there is a golden opportunity for [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/) to finally announce himself in an Olympiacos jersey. Head coach Georgios Bartzokas, however, may think outside the box, particularly given Real will be without the three-time EuroLeague Best Defender, Tavares.

Once Milutinov had to withdraw from the Greek derby on Monday, Bartzokas tested [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) at the “five” position. As 3StepsBasket points out, Olympiacos actually outscored Panathinaikos by 10 points (9-19) in the 6:30 minutes that Papanikolaou played at center, so perhaps we could see him trialed in this position if the Reds go for a small-ball lineup.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a>&#39;s successful stint with Papanikolaou at the &quot;5&quot; against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a>.<br><br>In just 6.5 minutes, they outscored PAO by 10 points (9-19). While the sample is small, K-Pap definitely showcased some skills.<br><br>What do you think, could he be another player transitioning from 3 to 5? <a href="https://t.co/XfLvx7ld7r">pic.twitter.com/XfLvx7ld7r</a></p>&mdash; 3StepsBasket (@3StepsBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/3StepsBasket/status/1750119779870875681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There may be extra pressure on Olympiacos’s ball handlers, too, if [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/), who joined the Reds from Real last summer after winning his first EuroLeague title, cannot overcome a bicep issue. Coach Bartzokas has had to deal with injuries all season, and it is a similar story heading into Round 23.

### A wounded Real Madrid

Perhaps, though, this is the perfect time for Olympiacos to take on Real. Last week, head coach Chus Mateo saw his squad suffer a beatdown on the road at AS Monaco, as Mike James – one of the favorites for the MVP award – put on a clinic [in a 98-74 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-as-monaco-basket-vs-real-madrid-baloncesto/). That was Real’s heaviest defeat in three years and, without Tavares anchoring the defense, Olympiacos may have the chance to pile more misery on the reigning champion.

Real's Injured anchor Walter Tavares may be missed after dominating the paint with a club-record 19 rebounds in an overtime victory over Valencia. They journey to a stuttering Monaco roster that appears to be clinging onto a place in the top ten after losing three of the last four and in need of consistency.

AS Monaco-Real Madrid | Round 22 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

However, to achieve that, Olympiacos would have to become the first team to beat Real at WiZink this season. As we can all remember, Anadolu Efes Istanbul came close to doing just that, but *Los Blancos* were the side that ended up coming out on top after a quadruple-overtime classic. Real is the only team in the EuroLeague yet to taste defeat on its home floor, going 10-0, but [the Reds did win 87-89 in Madrid last season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/report-madrid-olympiacos-2223tae/) and have shown glimpses that they are starting to find their groove in recent weeks.

### Watch out for Alec Peters

One player who has been particularly impressive all season long for Olympiacos is [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/), who played just 4:28 minutes in last season’s semifinal victory against AS Monaco and not a single second in the championship game. Admittedly, he did have EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov in his way, but Peters has shown this season that can fill the Bulgarian’s void after his departure to the Sacramento Kings of the NBA.

Across 37 games last season, of which three were as a starter, Peters posted 4.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and a 4.5 PIR in an average of 13:13 minutes on the floor. This season, he has started all 21 of the games he has played in and averaged 15.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and a 17.1 PIR in 27:43 minutes. Olympiacos may be without its two main centers, but having Peters healthy means Coach Bartzokas can call upon one of his main weapons.

The best plays of Olympiacos Piraeus forward Alec Peters through the first 22 rounds of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Peters's top plays this season

### A tough battle in store

The interesting element to having so many key players absent is the fact that this game is even harder to call. Who will step up in their absence? Which team will notice the injuries more? These are all questions that we can’t answer until the ball goes up in the air.

Nevertheless, there are still a ton of talented players who are available across the two rosters – and it’s always a lot of fun whenever Real and Olympiacos go to battle. Thursday night is going to be no different, so make sure to tune in from 20:45 CET to see how it all plays out.

Game News

Real Madrid's Eli Ndiaye is defended by Olympiacos Piraeus's Alec Peters in Round 12 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Several key players are set to miss this Round 23 clash, but those absences provide an opportunity for others to step up in a repeat of last year’s championship game.

Wounded Real Madrid welcomes undermanned Olympiacos to WiZink Center

Real Madrid v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-01-25T19:45:00.000Z)


Check out some bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 23 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

 Bold predictions for Round 23

### Fenerbahce will overcomes injuries to beat Virtus 

*by Javier Gancedo*

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul is expected to face Virtus Segafredo Bologna without five forwards: Nigel Hayes-Davis, DyShawn Pierre, Nate Sestina, Tarik Biberovic and Metecan Birsen. Despite playing against a team that ranks higher in the standings, Fenerbahce has enough versatility to find answers to its injury problems. Head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius will be forced to use a small lineup with three guards together on court but Virtus lacks a star small forward that would give the guests some sort of advantage. Johnathan Motley is set to see extended playing time at the power forward position. Motley already played well against Virtus in Round 10, getting season highs of 25 points and 31 PIR, and so should take advantage of Toko Shengelia's absence for Virtus. Fenerbahce comes off a convincing 30-point home victory in the Turkish League and should stay as strong even without most of its forwards.

Johnathan Motley of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul had season-highs of 25 points and 31 PIR in Round 10 against Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Virtus beat Fenerbahce 87-79.

Motley had season-high game against Virtus

### Efes will continue rising higher

*by Frank Lawlor*

One team that seems to be coming together finally is Anadolu Efes Istanbul, as evidenced by a 24-point home win against FC Barcelona last week. I expect Efes to keep on that upward trajectory despite a visit on Friday from always-tough AS Monaco. One of the few early-season bright spots for Efes was an 84-89 road win in the principality, and after retooling due to injuries, the recent two-time champions have only gotten better. Tibor Pleiss is proving his unique value again. Elijah Bryant is playing strong. Will Clyburn and Derek Willis are back in the lineup. Big men Tyrique Jones and Dan Oturu are meshing well.  And Shane Larkin, of course, is being the leader he has always been. Let's not forget Rodrigue Beaubois, whom Monaco star Mike James cited as one of his most difficult defenders to face. Efes has a 7-3 home record despite all the injuries, and I expect that to be 8-3 after Friday's game.

Red-hot Monaco aim for a sixth straight win against an Efes team hoping a victory over Zalgiris proves to be the start of a renaissance. There are stars galore in the backcourt as Mike James and Elie Okobo go up against Shane Larkin and Darius Thompson, but whose talents will come to the fore here?

AS Monaco-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | Round 8 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Four teams will reach 10 wins, tighten playoff race

*by Igor Petrinovic*

Not only will I double down on my colleague's prediction that Efes will keep its winning streak going, but I see its three fellow nine-win teams – Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and FC Bayern Munich – all winning this week, too. As such, all four would reach 10 victories and make the crazy playoff race even crazier as a total of 15 teams would have 10 or more wins with 11 rounds remaining. For that to happen, FC Bayern Munich will have to take care of visiting LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Crvena Zvezda will have to overcome Milos Teodosic's absence in Berlin against ALBA. It will be tricky, but at the end of the day, I think both Bayern and Zvezda will get the job done, as will Milan, avoiding a three-game losing streak by beating FC Barcelona on Friday night to complete a season-sweep of that classic rivalry.

### Mike James will take a big step towards all-time scorer crown

*by Geoff Gillingham*

Mike James isn't just my frontrunner to win the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP prize, but I also think he will become the league's all-time top scorer this season. The 33-year-old needs just 108 points to pass ex-Olympiacos Piraeus legend Vassilis Spanoulis in first, and 36 to pass LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne's Nando De Colo in second. Not only is James a far better scorer than De Colo these days, but he has shown in recent seasons that he can impact winning in a far greater way than the Frenchman, too. Against Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 23, I predict James to have a stellar night scoring-wise and trim the gap with both Spanoulis and De Colo. History is in James's hands, and I believe he'll take another big step towards achieving this feat when Monaco travels to take on Efes on Friday evening.

Mike James had 15 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 steals as AS Monaco beat Real Madrid 98-74 in Round 22 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

James's highlights vs. Real Madrid

### Partizan's streak will continue

*by Frankie Sachs*

The home team has won each of the last five times in which Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has taken the floor. Unfortunately for head coach Zeljko Obradovic's men, only two of those games were home games. On the one hand, it's not so bold to pick a home winner; only two teams (Real Madrid and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz) have winning records on the road this season. However, Zalgiris Kaunas has claimed road wins already this season in Bologna, Vitoria, Milan and Valencia and three of those teams are in the playoff zone. And under new boss Andrea Trinchieri – a former Partizan head coach – Zalgiris appears to be on the upswing, having won two of its last three games and three of the last five. But Partizan is expected to have both Kevin Punter and Aleksa Avramovic back. And while that may not be great for PJ Dozier fantasy owners, it's fantastic for the Grobari. Partizan should win comfortably at Stark Arena on Friday.  

Check out some bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 23 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

 Bold predictions for Round 23 

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Valencia Basket (2024-01-26T19:30:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-01-26T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v FC Barcelona (2024-01-26T19:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v AS Monaco (2024-01-26T17:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-01-25T19:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahçe Beko and Virtus Bologna go head-to-head in the first fixture of Round 23 in the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Fenerbahçe Beko and Virtus Bologna tip off Round 23 in style

Two teams currently occupying two of the direct spots for the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs are set to go against each other in Round 23, as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (13-9) hosts Virtus Segafredo Bologna (15-7) at Ulker Sports and Event Hall on Thursday.

### Fenerbahce's injury problems

All of a sudden, Fenerbahce could be without any of the forwards in its usual rotation, as [Dyshawn Pierre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dyshawn-pierre/010560/) and [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) are sidelined. Hayes-Davis ranks second in minutes played per game (32:45) and Pierre (22:33) has started in all 16 games he has been available for.

It gets worse, as [Nate Sestina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nathan-sestina/profile/011980/) and [Tarik Biberovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tarik-biberovic/006961/) are also ruled out after also missing their team's Round 22 game against Zalgiris Kaunas. They join another forward on the sidelines, with [Metecan Birsen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/metecan-birsen/003091/) having not even stepped on the court this season. That's five of Fenerbahce's usual options at the two forward positions sidelined. So, how can head coach Saras Jasikevicius solve this major problem?

Johnathan Motley of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul played at the '4' and '5' spots against Zalgiris Kaunas.

Johnathan Motley: 15 points against Zalgiris

Fenerbahce quickly went to the market [to sign Amine Noua to a short-term deal](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-bolsters-lineup-by-signing-amine-noua/). He has been registered in time to play in Round 23, so he adds a much-needed body for Coach Jasikevicius. A stretch power forward with athleticism and deep range, Noua has what it takes to make an immediate impact.

With 19-year-old forward [Hamza Mestoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/hamza-mestoglu/012724/) also unavailable due to injury, one round after making his EuroLeague debut, [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) and [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/) should see minutes at power forward, while [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) is his team's first option at small forward. Expect Fenerbahce to use a lineup with three scoring guards and a couple of centers — and still be very competitive.

**Virtus: Dealing without Shengelia**

Just one game without [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) allowed Virtus fans to see how important he is to their team. With Shengelia unavailable, Virtus struggled against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 22, trailing 48-56 with under 8 minutes remaining. A wild put-back dunk by [Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/achille-polonara/002084/) sparked a 14-0 run which allowed the Italian side to take the lead for good, 62-56. Despite scoring 28 points in the final 10 minutes, Virtus finished the game with 73 points, its second-lowest score of the season. Virtus got used to Shengelia's speed and ball handling and, without him, it was forced to play more five-on-five offense than coach Luca Banchi's team is used to.

Jordan Mickey and Achille Polonara of Virtus Segafredo Bologna saw playing time at the '4' position, replacing injured Toko Shengelia against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.

Mickey, Polonara step up in Round 22

Without Shengelia ready to run the floor and finish on the break or in transition, Virtus had to change its playing style a little bit. It took 31 three-point shots, way more than its season average (26.0). Virtus dished 16 assists, matching its season low at home and under its season average (19.3 apg.), while it is also less than ASVEL recorded (18).

In the absence of Shengelia, Polonara is Virtus's main option at power forward, with [Awudu Abass](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/awudu-abass/003527/) ready to help if Coach Banchi goes for a small lineup, or [Ante Zizic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ante-zizic/004554/) and [Jordan Mickey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-mickey/008847/) playing together in a double-center lineup. Either way, both teams have to make a lot of adjustments, which makes this game even more attractive from a tactical standpoint.

**A promising backcourt battle**

With so many frontcourt absences, both teams' backcourts will have more expectations on their shoulders in this game. That was not the case when both teams met in Round 10 for the first time this season, when Virtus beat Fenerbahce 87-79 at home behind 15 points from Shengelia. Motley led Fenerbahce with 25 points. [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/) was limited to just 8 points, one shy of his season low. Fenerbahce was without [Tyler Dorsey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyler-dorsey/009849/), and its two main backcourt scorers, [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) and Guduric, combined for 22 points on 6-of-22 field goal attempts.

Fenerbahce hit 104 of 250 attempts since 'Saras' arrived (41.6%), and had buried 133 of 368 shots from downtown (36.1%) before he joined the team.

Guduric, Wilbekin, Dorsey make it rain

It should be a very different game on Thursday evening. Dorsey has averaged 16.3 points in the last four games, and Wilbekin scored 30 points in Round 21 against FC Bayern Munich and 22 in Round 22 against Zalgiris, averaging a PIR of 25.5.

Virtus's backcourt has also stepped up in recent games. Star playmaker [Daniel Hackett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daniel-hackett/001844/) had 19 points and a PIR of 29 in Round 22 against ASVEL, Belinelli has been just fantastic all season (14.7 ppg., 42.3% 3FG) and, unlike in Round 10, Coach Banchi can count on [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) (9.0 ppg., 44.9% 3FG), whose deep range and explosiveness can be decisive in any given game.

Speaking of three-pointers, Fenerbahce has hit 104-of-250 attempts since Saras arrived (41.6%), and had buried 133-of-368 shots from downtown (36.1%) before he joined the team.

This is a high-profile game between two teams wanting to stay in the upper part of the standings in front of what surely will be a really great crowd. Tune in at 18:45 CET and enjoy a great showdown!

Virtus Segafredo Bologna guard Daniel Hackett is chased by Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's Scottie Wilbekin when the two teams met earlier in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

A game with playoff implications takes place in Istanbul on Thursday evening (18:45 CET)

Fenerbahce and Virtus tip off Round 23 in style

Luigi Lamonica, who decided to call time on a 21-year career as a EuroLeague referee after the 2022 Final Four, is the second guest to appear in the fifth season of A Quarter with Kyle Hines.

A Quarter with Kyle Hines: Luigi Lamonica provides a referee’s perspective

Luigi Lamonica, who decided to call time on a 21-year career as a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague referee after the 2022 Final Four, is the second guest to appear in the fifth season of [A Quarter with Kyle Hines.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/podcasts/) During a 30-minute discussion, Hines and Lamonica reflect on the Italian’s experiences as a referee, what made him want to take up this role in the first place, the best moments from his EuroLeague career, and much more. Over the course of the conversation, Hines – and the wider public – get to hear firsthand about the preparation that goes into becoming a EuroLeague referee and how it isn’t quite as simple as some would imagine.

The legendary retired official offers plenty of insight during a half-hour conversation.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Mike Scott have struck up a friendship at LDLC ASVEL, which they hope will result in the team making a late surge up the EuroLeague standings.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Mike Scott: Two friends hoping to improve LDLC ASVEL

This is the first year that [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/timothe-luwawu-cabarrot/012080/) and [Mike Scott](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-scott/012729/) are playing alongside one another, but the [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/carousels/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/?q=%7B%22articleId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22categoryId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22linkedId%22%3A%7B%22sourceSystem%22%3A%22FS_BASKETBALL_TEAM%22%2C%22sourceSystemId%22%3A%22asv%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D&carouselTitle=LDLC%20ASVEL%20Villeurbanne) duo have already struck up a friendship that they hope will result in more wins on the court.

The 4-18 ASVEL is on to [its third head coach of the season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-pozzecco-part-ways-after-two-months/), with Pierric Poupet having gone 1-2 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague so far, but Luwawu-Cabarrot confirms that there is a good comradery between the squad.

“Everyone gets along, we all joke on each other, laugh at each other, go out and have dinners, movies, play cards. It’s like a brotherhood,” Luwawu-Cabarrot says.

### A friendship created at ASVEL

Luwawu-Cabarrot spent six years in the NBA across five franchises between 2016 and 2022, while Scott had nine years in the association across four clubs. The current ASVEL teammates never played alongside each other in the NBA, but it didn’t take long for them to strike up a friendship at the Lyon-based club.

“I used to joke with him because, playing \[against\] him in the league (NBA), he really couldn’t show his offensive package, his offensive skills,” Scott notes. “But I got to see his game a little bit more. He works on his game a lot, he’s in the gym, he’s one of the first guys in the gym, so I really got to see his game flourish. He’s been impressive.”

For Luwawu-Cabarrot, he only had positive words to say about Scott, who is in the midst of his debut season in the EuroLeague.

“He’s great. He’s been talking to the young guys since the beginning of the season, trying to help them,” the Frenchman comments. “He’s been trying to figure it out himself, but he had nine years in the NBA, so we knew eventually that he’d figure it out.”

Scott has been particularly impressed by the competitiveness of the EuroLeague, even echoing the league’s slogan when offering his thoughts.

“The culture of the basketball, I think every game really matters,” he notes. “It’s like a playoff game every single game in the EuroLeague, so it’s much more intense, more physical.”

### Turning this season around

ASVEL sits rock bottom of the standings, albeit tied with 17th-placed ALBA Berlin with a 4-18 record, but Scott and Luwawu-Cabarrot remain confident that the French team has what it takes to make a late surge.

“I feel like the competitiveness is there, the unselfishness on both ends is there,” Scott states. “We’re in all our games, so if we can get rid of those mental mistakes, I feel like we’ll win more.”

“Top 10, I think, this is our goal,” Luwawu-Cabarrot adds. “This is where we want to be and where I think we can be. We didn’t have the start of the season we wanted to have, but like I said, we’re going to get better and better, we’re going to bring this group together and play better games.”

More ASVEL News

This is the first year that Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Mike Scott are playing alongside one another, but the LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne duo have already struck up a friendship that they hope will result in more wins in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Mike Scott: Two friends hoping to improve ASVEL

The two former NBA players have good chemistry both on and off the court.