Valencia Basket (8-7) will look to bounce back to winning ways with a visit from confident Virtus Segafredo Bologna (11-4), which has won four in a row to take sole control of second place. 

Valencia gets a visit from streaking Virtus

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/138/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-facts-val-vir) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-notes-val-vir) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-prequotes-val-vir) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-players-on-the-rise/)

Virtus's home victory over Olympiacos in Round 15 demonstrated its versatility, leaning mostly on a stern defense rather than the offensive prowess that had marked its previous successes. On this occasion, veteran [Daniel Hackett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daniel-hackett/001844/) will look to provide another strong all-round performance (8 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists) against the threat of Valencia playmaker [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/), who has scored in double digits in five consecutive games. The Spanish team is also defensively strong, allowing a league-low 74 points per game, so this could be a low-scoring, closely fought battle.

[Valencia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/statistics/pam/?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)

Chris Jones vs. Daniel Hackett: A pair of experienced, undisputed floor generals will be at the center of the action on Thursday.

Two teams aiming to shake-off the disappointment of failing to reach the playoffs go head-to-head at La Fonteta as Valencia welcomes Virtus. With just one win separating the clubs, this encounter could decide who finishes higher come the end of the campaign.

Last Game: 2022-23, Valencia Basket vs Virtus Segafredo Bologna - Round 33

Valencia Basket v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2023-12-21T19:30:00.000Z)

Victor Claver will miss Valencia Basket's games in the next three to four weeks after suffering a hamstring tear in his team's EuroLeague defeat to KK Partizan.

Valencia Basket's Victor Claver out 3-4 weeks with hamstring tear

Valencia Basket will have to do without the services of team captain [Victor Claver](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/victor-claver/000556/) for the next three to four weeks as he has suffered a hamstring tear. The injury came during Valencia’s 67-72 defeat to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 15 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

“Valencia Basket forward Victor Claver injured his right leg in last Tuesday's game against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade,” Valencia announced in a statement.

“The imaging tests that the player has undergone show that he has suffered a muscle tear in his right hamstring. It is estimated that a recovery period of 3-4 weeks is necessary, pending the player's progress.”

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🏥1️⃣ ¡Ánimo, <a href="https://twitter.com/Victor_Claver?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Victor_Claver</a>!<br><br>Cas 👉 Parte médico: Víctor Claver<a href="https://t.co/1bSSTNom0C">https://t.co/1bSSTNom0C</a><br><br>Val 👉 Comunicat mèdic: Víctor Claver<a href="https://t.co/2OwXxnTPoG">https://t.co/2OwXxnTPoG</a><br><br>Eng 👉 Medical report: Víctor Claver<a href="https://t.co/OVrOwjBuM1">https://t.co/OVrOwjBuM1</a> <a href="https://t.co/UfXrQYdHWG">pic.twitter.com/UfXrQYdHWG</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1737797673728557419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

So far this season, Claver has averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 14 appearances, of which five have been as a starter. As a team, Valencia has an 8-7 record in the 2023-24 EuroLeague campaign.

More Valencia News

Victor Claver in action for Valencia Basket in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Valencia team captain joins a growing injury list for Alex Mumbru's side.

Victor Claver out 3-4 weeks with hamstring tear

The final double-round week of 2023 concludes with a set of showdowns full of significance in the jostle for playoffs places, including three sets of Round 15 winners going head-to-head for sweeps. This is what you can look forward to on Thursday and Friday.

Round 16: Festive fixtures close 2023's last double-round week

### Thursday, December 21 

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/136/)

Round 16 gets underway with Maccabi (9-6) aiming to complete a perfect "home" week with a visit from a Zvezda (5-10) team which should feel equally as comfortable in Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. Maccabi has flown up the standings by winning four of its last five, averaging 94 points per game in the process, with [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/)'s double-double of 17 points and 11 assists a key factor in Tuesday's win over Baskonia. Zvezda is still searching for consistency, dropping three of its last four games including Tuesday's 58-72 home loss to Real Madrid. [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) did manage to pair 14 points with 5 assists, but he and his teammates will face a stern defensive test as Zvezda head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos faces his former team. 

[Valencia Basket vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/138/)

Valencia (8-7) will look to bounce back into winning ways with a visit from confident Virtus (11-4), which has won four in a row to take sole control of second place. Virtus's home victory over Olympiacos in Round 15 demonstrated its versatility, leaning mostly on a stern defense rather than the offensive prowess that had marked its previous successes. On this occasion, veteran [Daniel Hackett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daniel-hackett/001844/) will look to provide another strong all-round performance (8 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists) against the threat of Valencia playmaker [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/), who has scored in double digits in five consecutive games. The Spanish team is also defensively strong, allowing a league-low 74 points per game, so this could be a low-scoring, closely fought battle. 

[Real Madrid vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/137/)

Red-hot Partizan'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. 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 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.

Real Madrid vs Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade - Playoffs Game 5 - Highlights

### Friday, December 22

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/140/)

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

[Zalgiris Kaunas vs. FC Barcelona ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-fc-barcelona/E2023/144/)

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

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Olympiacos Piraeus ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/143/)

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

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.

Olympiacos Piraeus vs LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne - Round 31 - Highlights

[ALBA Berlin vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/139/)

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

[FC Bayern Munich vs. AS Monaco ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-as-monaco/E2023/142/)

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

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/141/)

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

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.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs Panathinaikos Athens - Round 25 - Highlights

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-12-21T19:05:00.000Z)

Round 16 gets underway with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (9-6) aiming to complete a perfect "home" week with a visit from a Crena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade(5-10) team which should feel equally as comfortable in Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. 

Maccabi, Zvezda meet in familiar setting for both

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/136/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-facts-tel-red) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-game-notes-tel-red) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs16-prequotes-tel-red) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-players-on-the-rise/)

Maccabi has flown up the standings by winning four of its last five, averaging 94 points per game in the process, with [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/)'s double-double of 17 points and 11 assists a key factor in Tuesday's win over Baskonia. Zvezda is still searching for consistency, dropping three of its last four games including Tuesday's 58-72 home loss to Real Madrid. [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) did manage to pair 14 points with 5 assists, but he and his teammates will face a stern defensive test as Zvezda head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos faces his former team.

[Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/?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)

Josh Nebo vs. Joel Bolomboy: A pair of high flyers will take their games above the rim together on Thursday.

Maccabi aims to protect the league's best home record when welcoming a Zvezda outfit that's slipped down the standings with a run of four losses. The battle between Bonzie Colson and Filip Petrušev could prove the decisive factor here.

Last Game: 2022-23, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade - Round 24

Round 15 brought a lot of great individual performances and players who stepped up big. These were the leaders in the main statistical categories.

Round 15 individual highs: Dan Oturu, Efes, 5 blocks

[Points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score)

Keenan Evans, Dan Oturu, Tyler Dorsey of Fenerbahce and Markus Howard of Baskonia led all scorers in Round 15 with 19 points apiece. Mike James of AS Monaco is the competition's top scorer at 19.2 points per game.

[Rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds)

Tadas Sedekerskis, Josh Nebo and Olympiacos Piraeus big man Nikola Milutinov each grabbed 11 rebounds in Round 15. Sedekerskis leads the overall standings with 8.4 boards per night.

[Assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances)

Sergio Rodriguez of Real Madrid, Codi Miller-McIntyre of Baskonia and Lorenzo Brown of Maccabi had 8 assists apiece in this round. Facu Campazzo of Real ranks first in assists at 7.4 per game.

[Steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals)

As many as 13 players each recorded 3 steals in this round. Paris Lee of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne leads the steals table at 2.0 per game.

[Blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour)

Oturu had 5 blocks in Efes’s road loss against Bayern. Serge Ibaka is the competition's top shot blocker at 1.5 per game.

[Double-doubles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=miscellaneous&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=doubleDoubles)

Mario Hezonja of Real (17 points, 10 rebounds), Sedekerskis (15 points, 11 rebounds), Nebo (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Milutinov (10 points, 11 rebounds) each recorded a double-double in this round.

FC Bayern Munich v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2023-12-20T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-12-20T19:30:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2023-12-20T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-12-20T17:30:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-12-19T19:30:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-12-19T20:00:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-12-19T19:05:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Real Madrid (2023-12-19T18:00:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v FC Barcelona (2023-12-19T19:00:00.000Z)

In arguably one of the closest races ever to become the MVP of the Round, three players shared this honor in Round 15 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season: Josh Nebo of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Kevin Punter of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Shavon Shields of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.

EuroLeague Round 15 tri-MVPS: Josh Nebo, Kevin Punter, Shavon Shields

[Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/), [Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) and [Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) each amassed a PIR of 25 as their teams all came away with Round 15 wins. Shields led Milan to [an 84-61 home triumph against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/133/) with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 4 fouls drawn. Nebo also had a PIR of 25 to guide Maccabi to [an 89-81 home victory over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/129/). He had 17 points on 5-of-8 two-pointers and 7-of-8 free throws, adding 11 rebounds and 5 fouls drawn.

In arguably one of the closest races ever to become MVP of the Round, three players shared the honor in Round 15: Shavon Shields of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Josh Nebo of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Kevin Punter of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

Nebo, Punter, Shields | RS Round 15 tri-MVPs | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Punter helped Partizan grab [a 67-72 road win over Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/130/) with 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 6 fouls drawn. [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/) of Zalgiris Kaunas and [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul each recorded a PIR of 30 but neither player could lead their teams to a win. In just his fourth EuroLeague game, Oturu had 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks in [an 86-71 loss at FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/134/). Evans, meanwhile, had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 9 fouls drawn as [Zalgiris fell 80-78](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/135/) at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) of Baskonia also had a PIR of 25.

Round 15 tri-MVPS: Josh Nebo, Kevin Punter, Shavon Shields

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 13 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 15th winner in the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home)! Kyriakos Chatzivasileiou beat everyone else in Round 15 with his team Zeliko1, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 194.85.

Kyriakos had the following lineup: team captain Kevin Punter of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Dinos Mitoglou of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, James Webb Of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Johannes Thiemann of ALBA Berlin, and Tadas Sedekerkis of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz as starters.

His sixth man was Moustapha Fall of Olympiacos Piraeus, while the rest of the bench was made up of Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Diego Flaccadori of Milan, Edwin Jackson of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Chima Moneke of Baskonia. His head coach was Ettore Messina of Milan.

The prize for finishing first in Round 15 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2024-25 season, so congratulations, Kyriakos!

Vangelis Palaiologos is the new leader of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge overall standings with 2,649.6 points.

Trades are now open for Round 16. Remember, it's back to three trades allowed between Rounds 15 and 16!

The first game in Round 16, Maccabi vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, tips off on Thursday, December 21, at 20:05 CET. This contest marks the deadline to get trades done, so don’t leave it too late!

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge!

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EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 15 winner

Wednesday night was special for Andreas Obst as he was again at head coach Pablo Laso’s disposal in his team’s 86-71 win against Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

Andreas Obst returned to action in style and punished Efes

Andreas Obst hadn’t stepped on the floor in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague since November 23, which was a 100-101 double-overtime road win for FC Bayern Munich at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. The German world champion had missed six of Bayern’s last seven games through injury, but Wednesday night was special for him as he was again at head coach Pablo Laso’s disposal in his team’s 86-71 win against Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

The Bayern guard came off the bench late in the first quarter and hit the ground running in the second, in which he made three triples in a row to allow his team secure a 31-26 lead. Obst finished the first half with 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting from beyond the arc. He would go on to end the game as the team’s top scorer with a season-high 17 points without missing a single shot. Obst was perfect from deep and also went 1-for-1 from inside the arc and 3-for-3 from the charity stripe in just 13:37 minutes on the floor.

“It feels great,” Obst said after the game. “I wasn’t sure about it before the game, because I had just one or two practices and didn’t feel 100% with the movement, but I think that I tried to do my best. I think that we shared good moments as a team and I didn’t have to do much. I had to run around a little bit and get open. The guys passed me the ball, screened for me and I had to make shots. I think it’s more like a team accomplishment.”

Laso agreed with his player, as he also praised his team’s ball circulation that allowed Obst to get open looks and punish Efes from beyond the arc in the second quarter.

“Andy \[Obst\] is a shooter,” Laso noted. “We found him open, we gave him good passes and he put the ball in the basket. That’s important.”

In the post-game press conference, the two-time EuroLeague champion stressed that the return of injured players served as a huge boost in morale for the team. Obst was not the only Bayern player to return to action on Wednesday, as Vladimir Lucic made his season debut in the EuroLeague against Efes following a seven-month absence due to a serious injury. The Bayern captain stayed on the floor for just over 13 minutes in which he had a complete game, having recorded 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

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“It’s good that we have everybody back and for sure this is what you want as a coach,” Laso noted. “This is difficult to explain because at the end we have players that may not dress, but it’s good that we have everybody healthy. We’re having a tough season and we need everyone.”

With Obst and Lucic both back at his disposal, Laso will look to push his team to their fifth consecutive win at home by beating visiting AS Monaco on Friday night.

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In his first action in nearly a month, the sharpshooter did his job to lead Bayern in scoring. 

Team play, defense, fueled Milan past ASVEL

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan protected its home floor for the first time in more than a month as LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne was not a match for the Ettore Messina squad on Wednesday night.

In an 84-61 win, Milan finished with 27 assists and 14 steals, both marks a season-high. Also, Milan held the visitors to just 8-of-26 (30.8%) on two-point shooting.

"It was a must-win game, and I think we did a pretty good job", said Nicolo Melli, the game's top scorer with 17 points. His 6 straight to open the third quarter gave Milan the start it needed after halftime to open a 16-point margin.

Milan's lead was never fewer than 13 points after that.

"It is a great team win, top to bottom," Shavon Shields commented after scoring 13 points.

He and his teammates allowed 21 points in the first quarter, then a total of 40 the rest of the way.

"Even when we got a big lead we continued to play, share the ball and play defense," a happy Coach Messina said of his team's performance.

Such is a welcome change for Milan, which entered the game allowing 79.1 points per game. This was the first time Milan kept opponents below 70 points since Round 7, and it was the team's first win at home since November 16 when it beat Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

The defensive effort came five days after Milan upset FC Barcelona on the road and, with its second consecutive win, Milan improved to 6-9.

"We dug ourselves a little bit of a hole in regards to the of playoffs", Shields said. "We need to keep progressing, building off of this."

Next up for Milan, which welcomed Billy Baron's season debut but is still without Maodo Lo and Nikola Mirotic, is a home tilt with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens on Friday.

In the victory, Milan held an opponent below 70 points for the first time since Round 7.