The season's first Istanbul derby will see Anadolu Efes Istanbul (7-9) attempt to become the first team to defeat Sarunas Jasikevicius during his Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (9-7) tenure. 

Istanbul derby comes at a key moment for Efes, Fenerbahce

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/145/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-facts-ist-ulk/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-notes-ist-ulk/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-prequotes-ist-ulk/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-17/)

Efes is looking to bounce back from a home loss to Baskonia despite 23 points from star guard [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/), who has now poured in at least 20 points in five of his last seven appearances. His long-range scoring threat will be met by [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/), who has hit top form with 5 three-pointers drained in each of the two games. Fener’s trio of victories under Jasikevicius have come via improved offensive output directed by [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/), who dished 13 assists to help overcome ALBA last week, so Efes needs to improve its defensive average of 86.9 points allowed, which is third-most in the league.

[Efes Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/statistics/ist/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Fenerbahce Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/statistics/ulk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Shane Larkin vs. Scottie Wilbekin: Two of the hottest scorers in the competition go head-to-head on Thursday.

Last Game: 2022-23, Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul - Round 33

Istanbul Derby comes at a key moment for Efes, Fenerbahce

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-12-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Two teams jostling for position in the playoff places go head to head as Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (9-7) welcomes Virtus Segafredo Bologna (11-5). 

Partizan aims to put the brakes on visiting Virtus

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/153/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-facts-par-vir/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-notes-par-vir/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-prequotes-par-vir/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-17/)

Partizan will look to recover its usual offensive potency after being held to 72 and 75 points in the last two games and can look for [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) to lead the way from deep after he scored 18 points on 4 of 7 long-range shooting in the Round 16 loss to Real Madrid. Virtus is a similar story, netting just 71 and 69 points in the last two games, despite [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/) doing his usual job by sinking multiple triples. Despite those recent wobbles, the two teams are still respectively the third and sixth-highest scorers in the league, so hopes are high for an entertaining shootout.

[Partizan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/statistics/par/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Virtus Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/statistics/vir/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Zach Leday vs. Tornike Shengelia: A pair of elite power forwards will take each other's measure on Thursday.

Last Game: 2022-23, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna - Round 27

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2023-12-28T17:30:00.000Z)

It's last versus first as LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2-14) aims to end 2023 with the upset of the year by toppling reigning champ Real Madrid (15-1). 

First and last clash as Real visits ASVEL

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-real-madrid/E2023/148/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-facts-asv-mad/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-notes-asv-mad/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-prequotes-asv-mad/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-17/)

ASVEL has lost eight straight, with three of the last four losses coming by double-digit margins, and changing that statistic will require a big improvement in long-range shooting after making just 4 of its 19 three-point attempts in last week’s loss to Olympiacos. Real, in contrast, is riding a five-game winning streak and the last four of those haven’t even been close, triumphing by an average of 14.4 points. Veteran [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) has recently been the main playmaker, dishing 8 and 9 assists in the last two games, so he’s one of the many weapons for ASVEL to stop.

[ASVEL Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/statistics/asv/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Madrid Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Youssoupha Fall vs. Walter Tavares: Two of the biggest players in the EuroLeague go head-to-head on Thursday.

Last Game: 2022-23, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Real Madrid - Round 26

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Real Madrid (2023-12-28T19:00:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (9-7) will aim to protect its position in the all-important top six with a visit from dangerous Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (6-10). 

Panathinaikos welcomes hungry Zvezda to Athens

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/150/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-facts-pan-red/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-notes-pan-red/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-prequotes-pan-red/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-17/)

The visiting team is boosted by last week’s MVP [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) producing some of the best form of his storied career, averaging 15.4 points and 7.8 assists in the last five games. Many of those passes have gone to [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/), who contributed 20 points in Round 16’s impressive win over Maccabi. So that Teodosic-Bolomboy connection will be a target for the Panathinaikos defense, while the Greens will again look for offensive inspiration from [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) after he reached double digits in scoring in the last six straight, including 17 points in last week’s road win in Milan.

[Panathinaikos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/statistics/pan/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Zvezda Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/statistics/red/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Kostas Sloukas vs. Milos Teodosic: A pair of veteran game-changers will have a lot to say in Thursday's showdown.

Last Game: 2022-23, Panathinaikos Aktor Athens vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade - Round 28

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-12-28T19:15:00.000Z)

On the rise FC Bayern Munich (7-9) will attempt to threaten Valencia Basket (9-7) place in the top 10 as they meet in Munich. 

Bayern looks to move up at Valencia's expense

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-valencia-basket/E2023/147/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-facts-mun-val/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-notes-mun-val/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-prequotes-mun-val/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-17/)

Bayern saw a four-game home winning run ended by last week’s loss, 80-91, to Monaco, so will be determined to improve its defense as a launchpad for another successful streak. That’s especially the case as Valencia boasts the league’s best defense (73.8 points per game allowed), most recently holding dangerous Virtus to just 71 points. Valencia will focus a lot of attention on [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/), who has scored at least 10 points in six straight, and the Spanish team will also hope [Kassius Robertson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kassius-robertson/012740/) maintains his recent improvement after knocking down multiple triples in the last two games.

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

Carsen Edwards vs. Chris Jones: Both teams will rely on their scoring guards in this Thursday matchup.

Last Game: 2022-23, Valencia Basket vs. FC Bayern Munich - Round 22

FC Bayern Munich v Valencia Basket (2023-12-28T19:30:00.000Z)

A historic matchup will see either Zalgiris Kaunas (5-11) or Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (9-7) bounce back to winning ways. 

Zalgiris, Maccabi look to get back in the win column

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/149/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-facts-zal-tel/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-notes-zal-tel/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-prequotes-zal-tel/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-17/)

Zalgiris will hope that [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/) can maintain his strong form after netting 13 of his 16 two-point shots in the last two games and his battle with the equally in-form [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) – PIRs of 25 and 26 in the last two games – could be vital. Maccabi will lean on [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) to repeat his usual high standards of 14.8 points and 6.8 assists per night and should be welcoming back team captain [John DiBartolomeo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/john-dibartolomeo/007990/). Zalgiris will turn backcourt star and former Maccabi player [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/), who is comfortably his team’s top scorer with an average of 15.8 points.

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

Keenan Evans vs. Lorenzo Brown: A pair of scoring floor generals will have plenty to say over who wins this game.

Last Game: 2022-23, Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv - Round 33

Zalgiris Kaunas v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-12-28T18:00:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (9-7) seeks another road win with a trip to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (6-10), which is looking to end a tough 2023 on a high by bouncing back to winning ways. 

Milan hosts Baskonia for a timeless duel

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/146/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-facts-mil-bas/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-notes-mil-bas/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-17/)

The game features the league’s most prolific three-point shooters with [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) (3.6 triples per game) taking on Milan’s leader [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) (3.2) But Howard isn’t Baskonia’s backcourt dynamo, with [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) coming 1 rebound short of a triple-double to power last week’s victory at Efes and now averaging 10.8 assists in his last four games. Milan will hope to have perennial deep threat [Billy Baron](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/billy-baron/005775/) finding his best form after he made a relatively quiet return from a long-term injury last week.

[Milan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/statistics/mil/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Baskonia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/statistics/bas/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Shavon Shields vs. Markus Howard: All eyes will be on two of the EuroLeague's top five scorers on Thursday.

Last Game: 2022-23, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz - Round 22

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-12-28T19:30:00.000Z)

On the cusp of the regular season's midway point, Ergin Ataman's touch with remaking rosters and making them work is evident in Athens.

Surging Panathinaikos is showing Ataman's touch

The parallels are worth noting.

Ergin Ataman's revolution at Anadolu Efes Istanbul didn't start when he took over a 3-9 team sharing last place in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in late 2018. In fact, Efes played even worse the rest of the way that season to finish 7-23, three wins below any other team. 

The revolutionary change came that summer, when Ataman purged the roster to sign Sertac Sanli, Vasilije Micic, Rodrigue Beaubois, Adrien Moermann, James Anderson, Shane Larkin and Tibor Pleiss in a span of a few weeks. Among regular contributors, only Dogus Balbay, Bryant Dunston, Krunoslav Simon and Brock Motum survived from the previous season.

Of course, that roster remake led to nearly unprecedented success as Efes won two EuroLeague titles, was runner-up another season, and vastly dominated a fourth one that the pandemic stopped in its tracks. 

### Another makeover in Athens

Fast forward to latest stop, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, for which Ataman was already in team-building mode when he exited Efes.

This time, just three regular contributors – [Marius Grigonis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marius-grigonis/002328/), [Panagiotis Kalaitzakis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/panagiotis-kalaitzakis/011209/) and [Eleftherios Mantzoukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/eleftherios-mantzoukas/008084/) – survived a signing spree under Ataman that saw [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/), [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), [Kostas Antetokounmpo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-antetokounmpo/011221/), [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/), [Aleksander Balcerowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksander-balcerowski/007553/), [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/), [Konstantinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/), [Kyle Guy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kyle-guy/011826/), [Ioannis Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ioannis-papapetrou/005161/), [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) and, finally, [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) alight in Athens.

Most teams lean toward roster continuity. The alternative introduces extra room for error in the player mix and requires more time to build chemistry. That's why large-scale roster revamps are rare and very difficult to pull off. 

But as with Efes five years ago, Ataman's special touch at remaking teams can already be seen with Panathinaikos. 

After stumbling out of the gate with a 2-4 record, the Greens have risen to 9-7 alongside six other teams, occupying fourth place based on better points balance. That record includes three overtime losses, two more than any other team. Panathinaikos had a shot attempt to win each of them in regulation, but none of the three fell. That luck changed last week when Ataman designed an end-of-game play with 2.5 seconds left that finished with Grigonis burying a game-winning triple to steal a road victory at dangerous AS Monaco.

Magic Moment of the Night: Grigonis wins it!

"For us, it's a very important victory, an emotional victory, because so far we lost three games in overtime. One more game we lost on the last possession in Istanbul," Ataman said coming off the court in Monaco. "Now, OK, we come back from 15 points \[down\] for the last-second buzzer shot. So, now we have the luck."

Riding the good vibes from Monaco, the Greens completed the double-round by winning at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, good for a three-game road winning streak that the team has not had since 2019.

### Roster resemblances

The parallels between the Panathinaikos and Efes rosters are worth noting, as well. 

Grigonis, adept at finding weaknesses in a defense and dangerous if left alone to shoot, would seem to be filling Krunoslav Simon's role at Efes.

Sloukas is a veteran version of Micic, able to drive, shoot or pass with equal proficiency, but most importantly unafraid of late-game responsibility.

Grant is the sort of long perimeter defensive ace with floor-running and scoring ability that Ataman had in Beaubois. 

Mitoglou is more of a combination of Moerman and Chris Singleton, who shared the same position at Efes, able to shoot from distance or dominate the boards.

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens Top Plays from 09/30/2023 to 12/27/2023

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens's best moments until the end of 2023

Lessort is like a younger Dunston, though with more of a rim-attacking mindset than a rim-defending one, but the same power in the paint that Ataman likes. 

And though he's new to the task, Nunn has lately been supplying the kind of instant offense that Larkin perfected for Efes.

Though no two rosters are alike, the balance that Ataman brought to his Efes roster – able to shoot, defend or run to win – is starting to take form in Athens.

### Time will tell

Panathinaikos has matched the EuroLeague's second-best record over the last 10 games, 7-3, despite playing five of the last six games away. The next stretch of seven home games out of 12 at home will be crucial because, in the final stretch of six rounds, the Greens play in Athens just two times. 

It is early times in the marriage between Ataman and Panathinaikos. But 16 games into his Efes tenure Ataman was 4-12. Then he got to choose his own roster and the rest is history. He was able to choose his roster earlier in Athens and now history remains on hold to see if it repeats itself.

Olympiacos Piraeus (8-8) is aiming to string together a winning streak as it travels to ALBA (3-13). 

ALBA welcomes Olympiacos to the German capital

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/151/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-facts-ber-oly/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-notes-ber-oly/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-17/)

The Reds cast aside their recent struggles to gain a 73-85 win at ASVEL last week powered by a near-record 8 blocks by Moustapha Fall.  Another factor was a return to form for [Shaquielle McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/), who reached double-digit scoring (13 points) for the first time this season. ALBA will hope for another strong performance from [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/), who made 3 of his 5 three-point attempts in last week’s loss to Fenerbahce, but needs to improve a defense that has allowed 85.8 points per game, fourth-worst in the league, and could be haunted by memories of a 60-93 home loss to Olympiacos in February.

[ALBA Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/statistics/ber/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Olympiacos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/statistics/oly/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Johannes Thiemann vs. Moustapha Fall: A clash of styles in the post will be on display Friday as two of the EuroLeague's most consistent big men meet.

Last Game: 2022-23, ALBA Berlin vs. Olympiacos Piraeus - Round 24

ALBA Berlin v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-12-29T19:00:00.000Z)