After shining in a brief stint at Olimpia Milano last season, Shabazz Napier has cut short his time at fellow EuroLeague side KK Crvena zvezda to rejoin Ettore Messina's squad.

Olimpia Milano brings back playmaker Shabazz Napier

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan has completed a deal to re-sign [Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/), the club announced on Thursday. After playing 12 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games for the club last season, in which he averaged 15.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals, Napier (1.85 meters, 32 years old) now returns to Mediolanum Forum for a second stint at Milan.

The American point guard joins Milan from Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, which makes him ineligible to play in the EuroLeague until December 30 as players moving from one EuroLeague club to another may only be registered between the end of Round 17 and the eve of Round 26. In 12 appearances for Zvezda this season, Napier posted 9.8 points and 2.3 assists.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Guess who is coming back?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/CvI27nN1Q4">pic.twitter.com/CvI27nN1Q4</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1737896563307937931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Napier made an instant impact at Milan

Napier first joined Milan last January and hit the ground running upon his arrival. Milan was a team transformed with Napier in the lineup, going 9-3 in the 12 games he played between Rounds 22 and 33. While Milan didn't make the playoffs in the end, Napier was able to reach double figures in points in nine of his 12 appearances last season, getting a career-high mark of 28 points in a road win at Valencia Basket in Round 27. With Milan, Napier had a PIR of 24 or higher on four occasions. 

The best plays of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan guard Shabazz Napier in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Shabazz Napier's best plays for Milan, 2022-23

### Napier’s journey to the EuroLeague

Napier began his professional career in the NBA with the Miami Heat in the 2014-15 season and went on to play a total of 354 games in the association, having also suited up for the Orlando Magic (2015-16), the Portland Trail Blazers (2016-18), the Brooklyn Nets (2018-19) and then both the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards in the 2019-20 campaign.

In the summer of 2021, Napier agreed to join Zenit St. Petersburg, which was playing in the EuroLeague, but an injury early in the season prevented him from making his debut. Then, in late February 2022, he left the club due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Napier joined Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico in the G League in November 2022, but a few months later, in the last few days of January 2023, he signed for Milan and made his long-awaited EuroLeague debut.

More Milan News

New EA7 Emporio Armani Milan signing Shabazz Napier in action for Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The 32-year-old will once again play under Ettore Messina's orders after a successful spell at Mediolanum Forum last season.

Milan brings back playmaker Shabazz Napier

Two teams on a high conclude Round 15 as Olimpia Milano (6-9) looks for a third straight win with a visit from Panathinaikos B.C. (8-7). 

Olimpia Milano, Panathinaikos B.C. look to complete perfect double-round week

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/141/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-facts-mil-pan) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-notes-mil-pan) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-prequotes-mil-pan) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-players-on-the-rise/)

The Greens are still on cloud nine after Wednesday's incredible win at Monaco, which showcased the versatility in Ergin Ataman's roster as six different players scored in double digits, led by 17 points from [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/). Milan has playmaker [Diego Flaccadori](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/diego-flaccadori/005670/) in the best form of his life, following his personal-best 15 points in the Round 14 win over Barcelona with another career-high, 7 assists, to defeat ASVEL earlier this week. That game also saw [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) score 17 points on 7-for-8 field goal shooting for a Milan team which could be finally starting to roll.

[Milan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/statistics/mil/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Panathinaikos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/statistics/pan/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Diego Flaccadori vs. Kendrick Nunn: Two impactful guards will be keen to keep impressing in Milan.

Two teams with hopes of a late charge towards the top-half go head-to-head. Milan target a third straight win after victories over Zvezda and Baskonia, whilst Panathinaikos have lost their last three and long for some scoring heroics from Dwayne Bacon.

Last Game: 2022-23, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs Panathinaikos Athens - Round 25

Two teams on a high conclude Round 15 as EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (6-9) looks for a third straight win with a visit from Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (8-7). 

Milan, Panathinaikos look to complete perfect double-round week

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2023-12-22T19:45:00.000Z)

After starting the week with an outstanding victory over Barcelona, ALBA Berlin (3-12) will look to claim another big-name victim with a visit from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (8-7), which is aiming for a third straight win under new coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. 

Rising ALBA Berlin, Fenerbahçe Beko meet in Berlin

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/139/) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-facts-ber-ulk) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-notes-ber-ulk) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-prequotes-ber-ulk) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-players-on-the-rise/)

ALBA's Tuesday victory was based on outstanding defense, and a similar effort will be required against a Fenerbahce team that scored 24 fourth-quarter points to earn a comeback win over Zalgiris in Round 15. [Tyler Dorsey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyler-dorsey/009849/)'s 19 points on 6-for-8 field goal shooting were fundamental to that Fener triumph. On Friday, he faces a good challenge from another dynamic backcourt star, [Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sterling-brown/012720/), who is back after injury and played a key role on both sides of the ball against Barca, pairing 10 points with 3 steals.

[ALBA Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/statistics/ber/?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)

Sterling Brown vs. Tyler Dorsey: Two red-hot guards will display their skills in Berlin.

Last Game: 2022-23, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs ALBA Berlin - Round 21

Rising ALBA, Fenerbahce meet in Berlin

ALBA Berlin v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-12-22T19:15:00.000Z)

Two teams with contrasting midweek emotions meet, as FC Bayern Munich (7-8) welcomes AS Monaco Basket (8-7) in another showdown with strong implications for the standings. 

FC Bayern Munich aims for fifth straight home win, first over AS Monaco Basket

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-as-monaco/E2023/142/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-facts-mun-mco) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-notes-mun-mco) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-prequotes-mun-mco) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-players-on-the-rise/)

The German team underlined its recent improvement with a comfortable home victory over Efes, while Monaco has now lost three out of four after its last-second heartbreak against Panathinaikos. The Roca Team will have to be ready for a physical challenge against Pablo Laso's men, who have claimed more rebounds than any other team (38.6) and rank second in blocked shots (3.3). Bayern's duo [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) and [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) combined for 28 points and 13 boards against Efes, and will provide a great matchup for visiting [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/) and dunk specialist [Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/donta-hall/011196/), who had 11 points in the loss to Panathinaikos.

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

Serge Ibaka vs. Donatas Motiejunas: Two incredibly skilled big man will face off in Munich.

Injury-hit Bayern play for pride against a Monaco team heading for the knockout stages and bidding for a home-court berth. The French outfit have won all three previous meetings, including an 80-79 thriller where the Germans scored 13 late points to threaten a remarkable comeback.

Last Game: 2022-23, FC Bayern Munich vs AS Monaco - Round 32

Two teams with contrasting midweek emotions meet as FC Bayern Munich (7-8) welcomes AS Monaco (8-7) in another showdown with strong implications for the standings. 

Bayern aims for fifth straight home win, first over Monaco

FC Bayern Munich v AS Monaco (2023-12-22T19:30:00.000Z)

Struggling Olympiacos B.C. (7-8), which has lost four out of five, will make a new attempt to reignite its misfiring offense with a trip to a last-place LDLC ASVEL (2-13). 

LDLC ASVEL, Olympiacos B.C. look to end losing skids

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/143/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-facts-asv-oly) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-notes-asv-oly) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-prequotes-asv-oly) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-players-on-the-rise/)

The last-placed host is also low on confidence after Wednesday's defeat at Milan stretched its losing streak to seven straight. A key battle will take place inside the paint between a pair of giant Falls: ASVEL's [Youssoupha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/youssoupha-fall/006568/) averages 8.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks, while Olympiacos's [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) has mustered 7.5 points, 4.7 boards and also 0.9 blocked shots. In the backcourt, experienced playmakers [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) and [Thomas Walku](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/)p will look to return to form after scoring just 5 and 3 points, respectively, in their teams' losses earlier this week.

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

Nando De Colo vs. Thomas Walkup: A fascinating matchup of guards will take place in Lyon.

League-leading Olympiacos pursue the victory they need to secure home-court advantage in the playoffs against rock-bottom ASVEL, who clamour for respite from a turbulent campaign having lost nine showdowns on the spin.

Last Game: 2022-23, Olympiacos Piraeus vs LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne - Round 31

Struggling Olympiacos Piraeus (7-8), which has lost four out of five, will make a new attempt to reignite its misfiring offense with a trip to a last-place LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2-13). 

ASVEL, Olympiacos look to end losing skids

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-12-22T18:45:00.000Z)

After suffering consecutive shock losses against low-ranked teams, Barça Basket (10-5) will look to avoid another similar upset as it travels to Zalgiris Kaunas (5-10). 

Zalgiris Kaunas, Barça Basket in search of a bounce-back win

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-fc-barcelona/E2023/144/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-facts-zal-bar) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-notes-zal-bar) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-prequotes-zal-bar) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-players-on-the-rise/)

The Lithuanian team has lost four in a row, most recently Wednesday's nail-biter at Fenerbahce which saw a double-digit Zalgiris halftime lead squandered despite 16 points and 9 rebounds from ex-Barcelona forward [Rolands Smits](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rolands-smits/007109/). Barca has now lost four of its last five roads games, averaging just 68.5 points in those defeats, and needs to improve its usually prolific long-range shooting after making just 6-of-24 three-pointers in Tuesday's loss to ALBA. [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) (15 points) was the only player to score in double digits in that defeat, so head coach Roger Grimau's squad needs a big improvement across the board.

[Zalgiris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/statistics/zal/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Rolands Smits vs. Jabari Parker: Two electric forwards will go to battle at Zalgirio Arena.

Two defeats mean Zalgiris face the mountainous task of needing three consecutive victories over Barça. They can count on the backing of a sold-out crowd, but local hero Sarunas Jasikevicius should have no mercy as his team seeks a quick return to Zalgirio Arena for the Final Four.

Last Game: 2022-23, Zalgiris Kaunas vs FC Barcelona - Playoffs Game 3

After suffering consecutive shock losses against low-ranked teams, FC Barcelona (10-5) will look to avoid another similar upset as it travels to Zalgiris Kaunas (5-10). 

Zalgiris, Barcelona in search of a bounce-back win

Zalgiris Kaunas v FC Barcelona (2023-12-22T18:00:00.000Z)

A pair of direct rivals aiming to snap two-game losing streaks go head-to-head as Anadolu Efes (7-8) hosts Saski Baskonia (8-7) to start a slate of six Friday games. 

Anadolu Efes S.K. meets Saski Baskonia for the 12th straight season

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/140/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-facts-ist-bas) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-notes-ist-bas) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-prequotes-ist-bas) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-players-on-the-rise/)

Efes was downed in Munich on Wednesday despite a big performance of 19 points and 8 rebounds from recent signing in the paint [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/). The hosts will look for point guard Darius Thompson to control the tempo as he faces his former team for the first time. Going up against him, [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) will aim to continue his good form for Baskonia, after averaging 11 assists over the last three games. Let's hope for a rematch of the last meeting between the teams – a 114-111 overtime thriller won by Baskonia in January, featuring 16 assists from Thompson.

[Efes Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/statistics/ist/?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)

Darius Thompson vs. Codi Miller-McIntyre: Baskonia's past and present clash in Istanbul.

Two direct rivals on the fringes of the top-eight aim to recover that winning feeling as Baskonia wish to end a four-game losing sequence, whilst reigning-champs Efes strive to repair their quest for a third EuroLeague crown following a wounding defeat to Bayern in Round 20.

Last Game: 2022-23, Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Round 21

A pair of direct rivals aiming to snap two-game losing streaks go head-to-head as Anadolu Efes Istanbul (7-8) hosts Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (8-7) to start a slate of six Friday games. 

Efes meets Baskonia for the 12th straight season

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-12-22T17:15:00.000Z)

Round 16 on Thursday delivers the first rematch between Real Madrid and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade since they staged one of the most memorable playoff series in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history last spring.

Real, Partizan recall a bittersweet playoff series

The best-of-five playoff series between Real Madrid and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade last season was unforgettable for many reasons, both good and bad.

Of course, Real not only became the first team ever to overcome a 0-2 series deficit, but it also took that momentum to win the club's 11th EuroLeague crown later last spring.

The series had already drawn attention for regrettable reasons, however, starting with an unprecedented on-court altercation that stopped Game 2 with 1:40 to play and left several players suspended for the next game or more.

"We started to think we cannot finish with this bad image," Chus Mateo, Real's head coach, recalled. "We tried to think \[within\] four sides of the court, and just to think to play basketball."

Partizan had taken home a 2-0 series lead from Madrid, but its momentum was halted. 

"There is a lot of different emotions about it," Partizan guard and team captain [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/), who was suspended two games for his role in the altercation, remembered. "Sometimes, I replay it my mind."

Sadder still, on the morning after Game 3 in Belgrade, the Serbian capital was convulsed by a school shooting tragedy that completely changed the tenor of the Game 4 there as fans honored the victims with a shower of flowers on the court and observed complete silence during the first half.

Partizan could not overcome the emotions and Real evened the series 2-2.

"This is my 13th or 14th season in the EuroLeague," veteran guard [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) of Real said, looking back, "but I never experience something like what we experienced" in Belgrade.

In Game 5, again Partizan seemed in control, leading by 18 points in the third quarter, only to see Los Blancos rally anew.

"They pulled out Rudy, Sergio and Chacho, and they played amazing," Partizan's [Aleksa Avramovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/) recalled. "That's the character of the champion."

Real overcame the deficit and went on to register a 98-94 victory to secure its place at the Final Four.

"They deserved it. We didn't deserve it," Avramovic concluded. "They deserved it and they won."

Round 16 on Thursday delivers the first rematch between two teams who staged one of the most memorable playoff series in EuroLeague history.

Real Madrid v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-12-21T19:45:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's (9-6) five-game winning streak faces the toughest possible test with a trip to face runaway leader Real Madrid (14-1) in a rematch of last season's thrilling playoffs series. 

Red-hot Real and Partizan meet for first time since playoffs

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/137/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-facts-mad-par) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-notes-mad-par) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-prequotes-mad-par) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-players-on-the-rise/)

Round 15 co-MVP [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) continues to be Partizan's main inspiration, averaging 18.4 points in his five games since returning from injury. Real's many weapons includes another December MVP contender [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/), who is coming off his second double-double in four games, providing 17 points and 10 rebounds in Tuesday's road win over the other Belgrade team, Zvezda. That game saw Real display its strongest defensive game, allowing just 58 points, and similar toughness will be required to subdue Partizan's offensive fireworks.

[Real Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Partizan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/statistics/par/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Mario Hezonja vs. Kevin Punter: Shot-makers who are especially hot lately can tilt this showdown either way.

Real attempt to become the first team to ever recover from 0-2 down in a playoffs series by making it three straight wins against Partizan, who are significantly bolstered by the return of backcourt-leader Kevin Punter from a two-game suspension.