AS Monaco Basket beat KK Crvena Zvezda Belgrade 76-82 in Round 3 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season, with Mike James shining en route to a double-double.

Mike James steals the show as Monaco Basket overpowers KK Crvena Zvezda, 76-82

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Mike James of AS Monaco gets away from Shabazz Napier of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade during the two teams' Round 3 matchup in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Monaco got its campaign back on track after the opening two defeats, despite a modest contribution from Kemba Walker

Mike James steals the show as Monaco overpowers Zvezda, 76-82

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v AS Monaco (2023-10-18T18:00:00.000Z)

The first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague double-round week of the season comes to a close tonight, with three games taking place.

Live Blogs: Monaco, Virtus and Valencia come up big!

Wednesday's Live Blogs

### **Wednesday, October 18**

[**Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 76-82 AS Monaco**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-as-monaco/E2023/25/)

AS Monaco ground out its first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague win of the season after a trademark performance from Mike James inspired the French side to a 76-82 win at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">✅️ Héroïque, la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> ramène la victoire de Belgrade ❤️‍🔥<br><br>🚀 La saison d&#39;<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> est bel et bien lancée pour Monaco ! ⏰️ <br><br>🔜 Rendez-vous dès ce vendredi à Gaston-Médecin 🆚️ <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@albaberlin</a> 🇲🇨 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/qaPCewkwRj">pic.twitter.com/qaPCewkwRj</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1714733749634576864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[**Virtus Segafredo Bologna 87-76 ALBA Berlin**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/virtus-segafredo-bologna-alba-berlin/E2023/27/)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna led from start to finish, mostly by double-digit leads, to secure a comfortable 87-76 victory and advance to 2-1 against the winless ALBA Berlin. The visitors recovered well from a terrible first half, but never enough to seriously threaten a comeback.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">WIN WIN WIN ⚪️⚫️<br>Prima vittoria in Eurolega anche a casa nostra 🤩<br><br>🔢 Shengelia 26, Mickey 15, Belinelli 12, Dunston 7, Cordinier 7, Dobric 6, Hackett 5, Lundberg 3, Smith 3, Pajola 3<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/YU4zAzDmDb">pic.twitter.com/YU4zAzDmDb</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1714737832462254087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[**Valencia Basket 75-66 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/26/)

Valencia Basket pulled off another huge defensive display to hold Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv to 66 points and secure its third consecutive win this season. It was a tight game up until crunch time, when Davies stepped up to seal Valencia's victory. The hosts improved to 3-0, while Maccabi dropped to 1-1.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">𝙑𝘼𝙈𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊 🧡<br>3️⃣-0️⃣ en <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <br><br>Nos llevamos la victoria en la Fonteta antes del viaje a Estambul. ¡Vamos!<br><br>🏆 J3 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a><a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciabasket</a> 75<br>🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaccabiTLVBC</a> 66<br>🤝 Vitaldin Sport <br><br>Noche de doblete, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FamiliaTaronja?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FamiliaTaronja</a> 🧡🧡 <a href="https://t.co/t7i04aSRSQ">pic.twitter.com/t7i04aSRSQ</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1714739765591831017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Tuesday, October 18

[Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 83-92 FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-kk-partizan-belgrade-vs-fc-barcelona-barca/)

FC Barcelona remains undefeated in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season after downing Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 83-92 at Stark Arena on Friday evening. Barca improved to 3-0 while Partizan dropped to 1-2.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋!! QUINA VICTÒRIA A BELGRAD! 3/3 🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/Hj9QptXjIX">pic.twitter.com/Hj9QptXjIX</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1714349506706243928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 83-69 Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-fenerbahce-basketball-vs-panathinaikos-bc/)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul bounced back after last week's narrow defeat at Valencia Basket by grabbing a well-deserved 83-69 victory over Panathinaikos Athens in Round 3 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season. The hosts were in control throughout the game, despite some comeback attempts from the visitors. Fenerbahce improved to 2-1 and Panathinaikos dropped to 1-2.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Maç Bizim! 💪<br><br>Tebrikler Fenerbahçe Beko! 👏<br><br>Maç Sonucu | Fenerbahçe Beko 🆚 Panathinaikos: 83-69<br><br>Skor dağılımımız: Papagiannis 15, Motley 14, Guduric 12, Calathes 12, Hayes-Davis 7, Wilbekin 7, Biberovic 6, Madar 6, Pierre 4. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/cCbp5wyatZ">pic.twitter.com/cCbp5wyatZ</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1714356401110204448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul 89-84 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-anadolu-efes-sk-vs-ldlc-asvel/)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul claims its first victory with a commanding 89-84 triumph over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne after leading for 35 of the 40 minutes, securing a first win of the season and a first-ever Turkish Airlines EuroLeague victory for head coach Erdem Can.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Sinan Erdem’de galibiyet gecesi! 👊<br>Anadolu Efes 89 - 84 LDLC Asvel | Maç Sonucu<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Together?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Together</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/eShnsDfLH5">pic.twitter.com/eShnsDfLH5</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1714362208426078369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 68-76 FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-baskonia-vs-fc-bayern-munich-basketball/)

FC Bayern Munich celebrated a valuable 68-76 win at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz thanks to an industrious and workmanlike performance, making light of Serge Ibaka's absence. The visitors overturned a 10-point deficit with a 6-22 run which turned the game on its head and forced the home team into submission.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝙒𝙤𝙤𝙥 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙥 🙌 First <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> win on the road!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BKNBAY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BKNBAY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a> (c) Stickel <a href="https://t.co/IFbuqjL6ZZ">pic.twitter.com/IFbuqjL6ZZ</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1714378147838205980?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Real Madrid 93-79 Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-real-madrid-vs-zalgiris-kaunas/)

In a battle of previously undefeated teams, Real Madrid topped Zalgiris Kaunas 93-79 in Round 3 in the Spanish capital on Tuesday. Real improved to 3-0 in the standings while Zalgiris dropped to 2-1.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">👌 ¡Gran triunfo ante el <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bczalgiris</a> para sumar el tercero consecutivo en la <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> y el décimo de la temporada! 👌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> <a href="https://t.co/gHXgPq5tGG">pic.twitter.com/gHXgPq5tGG</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1714378759988445359?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 65-53 Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-olimpia-milano-vs-olympiacos-bc/)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan registered its first win of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, downing Olympiacos Piraeus 65-53 at Mediolanum Forum on Tuesday night. This victory improved Milan to a 1-1 record, while the Reds dropped to 1-2.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First win of the season for <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlimpiaMI1936</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/zIsDru96gg">pic.twitter.com/zIsDru96gg</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1714381923533946973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Live Blogs: Three Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games to see out Round 3!

The first half of the first double-round week of the season came to a close tonight, with two home wins and one road victory.

Game Center: Monaco, Virtus and Valencia come up big!

Real Madrid v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-10-17T18:45:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-10-17T18:45:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v FC Bayern Munich (2023-10-17T18:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-10-17T17:30:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v FC Barcelona (2023-10-17T16:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Panathinaikos Athens (2023-10-17T17:15:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v ALBA Berlin (2023-10-18T18:30:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-10-18T18:30:00.000Z)

On the occasion of his breaking the all-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague record for career games played, four-time champion Kyle Hines and those around him talked about the magnitude of that accomplishment.


Kyle Hines, Milan: 'Honored to be a part of this competition'

"To this day, if you ask me now, I still feel like I'm 22, 23 years old and I still have that mindset that I'm just really happy to be here and honored to be a part of this competition," Hines says.

Hines [broke the record when he entered for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kyle-hines-euroleague-appearance-record-games-played/) against his former team, Olympiacos Piraeus, late in the first quarter on Tuesday, giving him 393 games over 14 seasons with four different teams, including CSKA Moscow and his first one in the competition, Brose Bamberg.

"Kyle Hines is a living legend. It's an honor to play with him," Milan teammate Nicolo Melli says. "He's a big part of the history of EuroLeague, so he is going to be remembered as one of the biggest players who ever played this tournament."

His coach Ettore Messina recalled that Hines had started as a pro in the Italian second division before building his "unbelievable career."

"The way he handled himself, the example that he set, the intelligence and the ability to play the big moment: all those things together show what kind of person and player Kyle Hines has been for years and years," Messina said.

With the record falling in Round 3 of at least 34 this season, Hines stands to continue adding to his legacy as the only modern player to win the EuroLeague title twice with two different clubs.

"I think I've been part of some of the most memorable moments in this league's history, and I'm happy still be here and still competing at a high level," Hines concludes. "That's what I cherish the most."

### Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos head coach

A win or a loss is not the end of the world in EuroLeague. As I said some days ago, we are in a phase that we are just trying to survive most of the games, results included. Personally, I strongly believe in our roster and its potentials. The good news for us is that Nigel Williams-Goss will play against Partizan, although he has not made a single practice with the rest of the team. As I said, it’s a difficult period for us and we need our supporters encouraging and support. All these years we achieved a lot and we will achieve more in the future. Partizan is a team that plays intense, especially at their home court. They have potentials and weaknesses as well. No Euroleague team is at the best possible condition. Partizan has its coach signature and after the loss in their home at the last game against Barcelona, I am sure that they will come determined to get the win.

### Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan head coach

Olympiacos is a team that was made to play in the Final Four. Last year they played in the championship game, they missed the title by a millimeter and they played outstanding basketball. This year they had problems with injuries at the beginning and they are currently in that rhythm. However, it will be very difficult in their gym. Olympiacos is a team that has a lot of experience, the same players have been there for years, the coach is the same, they brought in players who stepped in for the players who left. A demanding game awaits us in every sense. What was evident last night against Barcelona is that, if you want to play well in the EuroLeague, you have to play all 40 minutes. There is no room for small mistakes, for taking shots in the early phase of the offense, for not boxing out... The players are aware of everything and know where they went wrong last night, I expect a reaction.

### Giannoulis Larentzakis, Olympiacos player

Because of the back-to-back games we do not have the luxury to think about what happened in Milan. This game is over and we have already forgot about it. We have focused on tomorrow’s game against Partizan and we really want the win, in order to make a fresh start. Partizan is a dangerous team, that can score easily with players such are Panter and LeDay. They have full roster, they play tough but if we play good defense and get good rhythm on offence we will dominate.

### Frank Kaminsky, Partizan player

We have to make the best of the Barcelona game and move on. We are focused on Olympiacos. This is a big game for us, we have to focus, clear our minds and try to win the game. That is all! We mustn't look back, it's hard to forget the defeat against Barca, but we have to move on. We will fix the things we didn't do well against Barca and focus on Olympiacos, to play a good game.

Game News

Struggling Olympiacos (1-2) has the task of recovering from consecutive losses with a visit from Partizan (1-2), which is also seeking a return to the winning path after losing at home to Barcelona on Tuesday. The Reds need to rediscover their usual fluency on offense after scoring just 53 points in Tuesday's loss in Milan, converting just 19 field goals and registering more turnovers (15) than assists (12). Olympiacos could look to dominate physically by running their offense through big man Nikola Milutinov, who has started the season in fine form with averages of 13.3 points and 5.0 rebounds. But Partizan is also strong inside, leading the league in two-point conversion rate (62.3%) and possessing the most accurate individual in that category with Alen Smailagic (80%).



Pre-game quotes: Olympiacos vs. Partizan

Olympiacos Piraeus v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-10-19T18:15:00.000Z)

### Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach

"We expect to compete against an opponent, Milan, who is a candidate to be at the top at the end of the regular season. We will be facing a great team and we will have to give it our all if we want to defeat them. Milan is basing their game on five or six players and that forces them to play more time, so they probably will not want many possessions. They know how to play, they have experience and they have players that know the league like Pangos, Mirotic, Voigtmann, Melli, Hines... They are an extraordinary team and we will have to handle the tempo of the game and try to conduct it if we want to win."

### Ettore Messina, Milan head coach

"We come from a very tough game, in which we spent a lot of energy, so recovering from a physical point of view is the most important thing for us to play a good game in Madrid. Real is a team that is doing very well: they are the reigning champions, and they are playing with the confidence typical of champions. Against a team of this level, it will be essential to move the ball to build high-percentage shots and slow down their offensive transition which can be lethal."

### Gabriel Deck, Real Madrid player

"Milan will get here eager to play well. All the teams that come to Madrid want to play well and win, but we have to think bout ourselves and do things well to win the game. This is another great EuroLeague game. It is a tough competition and we hope we meet the expectations. Our fans, people support us and give us a boost that we need to turn in our favor. We have started great, but that does not mean anything."

Milan (1-1) coach Ettore Messina called upon all his defensive expertise to secure his 300th career victory in the competition on Tuesday, holding Olympiacos to just 53 points, and will now attempt to devise another game plan to shut down unbeaten Real (3-0). That will involve clamping down on key creator Facundo Campazzo, who ranks second in the league in assists with 8.0 per game. But the reigning champs also possess an awesome collection of big men, especially now that Gabriel Deck has returned from injury. Milan will likely need to former Real power forward Nikola Mirotic to maintain his magnificent start after scoring 27 and 20 points in the first two games.



Pre-game quotes: Real Madrid vs. Milan

Real Madrid v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2023-10-19T18:45:00.000Z)

### Dimitris Itoudis, Fenerbahce head coach

We play against a team that has size and athleticism, combined together with experience. Obviously back-to-back games are all about gathering your pieces together within the team and the mindset. We played a good game yesterday. So, we definitely need to be good on boards and to match their physicality. We have to keep our concentration on the game plan for 40 minutes. We also need the energy of our fans that gives a great boost to our team. 

### Tarık Biberovic, Fenerbahce player

We showed a good reaction after the Valencia game and got a good win against Panathinaikos. We want to repeat the same performance and win again. Asvel is a team with quality and potential. They lost their first three EuroLeague games, but we know that they have quality players, starting from Nando De Colo. We must concentrate and fight until the last second. The support of our fans is also very important to us. We expect them to be on our side again, creating the same atmosphere as the Panathinaikos game.

As it desperately aims to end a 16-game EuroLeague losing streak, ASVEL (0-3) faces the tough task of traveling to Fenerbahce (2-1) for Round 4's opening tip-off. Dimitris Itoudis's team bolstered its confidence with a highly convincing home victory over Panathinaikos two nights ago, and will have been especially pleased to see all-time assists leader Nick Calathes recover from a slow start to the season by combining 12 points with 5 assists. On Thursday, he will go head-to-head with another EuroLeague legend, Nando De Colo, who has been a rare bright spot during ASVEL's dark start, including 25 points in Tuesday's loss at Efes.



Pre-game quotes: Fenerbahce vs. ASVEL

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-10-19T17:45:00.000Z)

Round 3 brings a showdown between Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and AS Monaco. Both teams have top quality and depth at the guard spots. How to use it and stop the opposing backcourt will be critical.

Zvezda hosts Monaco in Battle of the Guards

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and AS Monaco [are set to face each other on Wednesday](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-as-monaco/E2023/25/) at Stark Arena and the keys to this duel may sit with their respective backcourts. 

Both teams made it a priority to improve their respective guard rotations in the off-season and on paper are two of the deepest teams in the competition.

### Star guards galore

Zvezda landed 2009-10 EuroLeague MVP Milos Teodosic, "The Magician", who has gone full circle by returning to Belgrade. Teodosic won a EuroLeague championship with CSKA Moscow and lifted the EuroCup trophy with Virtus Segafredo Bologna. He has taken part in eight Final Fours with CSKA and Olympiacos Piraeus and is one of four players in EuroLeague history with 3,000 points, 1,000 assists and 500 three-pointers. The others are Vassilis Spanoulis, Sergio Llull and Sergio Rodriguez.

Shabazz Napier was another marquee signing for Zvezda. The two-time NCAA champion has plenty of NBA experience. Last season he joined EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the middle of the year and averaged 15.0 points and a PIR of 16.4. Yago Dos Santos also comes off a strong season in which he won the German League and posted strong numbers in the EuroCup (13.0 ppg., 6.1 apg) with ratiopharm Ulm. He has yet to make his EuroLeague debut.

Rounding out the backcourt, Nemanja Nedovic offers elite scoring skills and team captain Branko Lazic is one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the competition. Head coach Dusko Ivanovic has plenty to choose from.  

Monaco also invested in star guards, but has been unfortunate with injuries. Its star signing, Kemba Walker, is nearing his EuroLeague debut. Walker, a four-time NBA ALL-Star, averaged 19.3 points in 750 NBA career games. Fun fact: Walker and Napier won the 2011 NCAA championship as teammates with the University of Connecticut.

Branko Lazic, Shabazz Napier, Milos Teodosic and Nemanja Nedovic.

Zvezda's backcourt depth

Former Zvezda scorer Jordan Loyd is injured, too. Monaco managed to keep the core of guards who worked very well together last season, leading the team to its first French League title and a Final Four berth.

Mike James leads the team as Monaco's franchise player. He needs just 42 points to become the fourth player with 4,000 points scored in EuroLeague history, after Spanoulis, Nando De Colo and Juan Carlos Navarro. Elie Okobo and James 

have found the recipe to be both effective and decisive, and Matthew Strazel can change any game with his shooting from downtown.

It is down to Coach Ivanovic and his Monaco counterpart Sasa Obradovic to make the most out of the great talents they have available.

### Different ways to stop them

Both teams know strong showings from their guards improve their chances to win the game. Of course, the rival will try the exact opposite, and both teams have many defensive options.

Zvezda can count on Lazic to put pressure on James. In Round 1 against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Lazic guarded De Colo and held him scoreless in the first quarter and to just 4 first-half points. At halftime, Zvezda led 52-31 and was well on its way to winning the game.

Elie Okobo, Mike James, Yakuba Ouattara and Matthew Strazel

Monaco's star-studded backcourt

Coach Ivanovic can also opt for a taller lineup with Rokas Giedraitis and Dejan Davidovac together on court, as Zvezda did in Round 2 against Zalgiris Kaunas, looking for low post situations. Former EuroLeague Best Defender Adam Hanga is also a good choice to guard James or Okobo due to his mobility and long arms.

Monaco also has its own defensive weapons. John Brown is a steals specialist who can switch in pick-and-roll situations and work his magic to deflect the ball or force a turnover. Terry Tarpey is also a blue-collar defender with size and energy. Coach Obradovic can turn to Alpha Diallo and Yakuba Ouattara as well to give Zvezda's guards trouble.

Of course, there is much more to this game, but EuroLeague fans can expect plenty of good passes, thrilling three-pointers and brilliant execution. It is not often that one sees so many good guards on a basketball court, and the fact that the game is in the Serbian capital, in front of an outstanding crowd, should make it even better.

Pablo Laso had an enjoyable return to his hometown of Vitoria-Gasteiz, as his new FC Bayern Munich side stepped up late to defeat Baskonia 68-76 in Round 3 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season.

Sweet homecoming for evergreen Pablo Laso

Pablo Laso could not have asked for a more enjoyable visit to his hometown of Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Basque Country. On Tuesday night, his new FC Bayern Munich side showed a winning mentality to flip the script and [defeat Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 68-76 at Buesa Arena](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-baskonia-vs-fc-bayern-munich-basketball/) in Round 3 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

It was only Bayern’s second win at Baskonia and its first under former Real Madrid head coach Laso, who filled his trophy cabinet during a glorious 11-year stint with the Spanish giant. Laso arrived in Munich boasting six Spanish league and cup titles apiece, as well as two EuroLeague trophies.

### Turning the game on its head

The winning mentality he has been tasked with instilling at Bayern was everywhere to be seen on Tuesday night in Vitoria-Gasteiz as the German outfit erased a 62-52 deficit late in the third quarter with a 6-24 run. The victory was made all the more impressive due to the absence of NBA acquisition Serge Ibaka, who was rested.

With all due credit to the players, who never lost faith they could turn the game around, Laso was at the heart of the success as he steered the ship with the aplomb and experience of a battle-hardened master making all the right moves.

Although Bayern trailed through the opening three quarters, Laso kept his men afloat with timely substitutions and timeouts, having led the charge in a calm and composed manner akin to only the best coaches European club basketball can offer.

### Showing a fighting spirit

Fittingly, Laso applauded his team for a gritty performance against a team he represented as a player between 1984 and 1995. “I am very happy for the victory, and I told the guys I am very proud of how they fought to win this game,” Laso said during the post-game press conference.

“Rebounds were the key to winning the game. In the end it was a team effort, and we know just how difficult it is to win here.”

### Getting the best out of Carsen Edwards

Laso’s arrival has also signaled a change in fortune for some of the players, most of all Carsen Edwards, who is enjoying a new lease of life at Bayern after a difficult season at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. 

Edwards shined against Baskonia as he pulled all the strings on offense, having racked up a game-high 14 points, 3 rebounds and as many assists to go with just 1 turnover. More importantly, Edwards ran the show and provided so many options when Bayern were playing catch up, enabling his teammates to step up to the plate at crunch time.

FC Bayern Munich guard Carsen Edwards had 14 points in his team's 68-76 win against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 3 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Carsen Edwards's highlights vs. Baskonia

Laso also praised Germany’s World Cup-winning guard Andreas Obst despite a poor shooting night, as the 27-year-old netted only 4 points on 1-of-8 shooting from three-point range.

“He did a lot of good things,” said Laso. “Defending \[Markus\] Howard, rebounding, boxing out, passing the ball.”

If the early exploits are anything to go by, few pundits are likely to write off Bayern’s chances of making the postseason in a competition stacked with more heralded teams, some of them representing the royalty of European club basketball. It may just be Round 3, but one thing is clear to see: the Coach Laso effect is already paying off.

More Bayern News

FC Bayern Munich head coach Pablo Laso on the sideline during his team's 68-76 win on the road at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 3 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

FC Bayern Munich is thriving under the trophy-laden 56-year-old coach.

An already special night for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan was made even more so on Tuesday with a victory that was also a milestone for its head coach.


Messina joined exclusive EuroLeague 300-win club

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan was in celebration mode from the get-go of its 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague home opener on Tuesday. A pre-game ceremony [honored retired legend Luigi Datome](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/luigi-gigi-datome-milano-olimpia-armani-ea7-tribute-honor-euroleague/) and by stepping on court late in the first quarter, center [Kyle Hines broke the EuroLeague record for career games played](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kyle-hines-euroleague-appearance-record-games-played/). 

But Milan's cause for celebration grew with[ a 65-53 victory over visiting Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/20/) that allowed head coach Ettore Messina to celebrate a rare milestone, his 300th EuroLeague win since the competition was created 23 years ago, in October 2000.

Messina is the second coach to reach 300 wins in EuroLeague history. His long-time friend and sports rival Zeljko Obradovic leads the all-time standings with 336 wins. Xavi Pascual ranks third with 241 wins, Pablo Laso is fourth at 238 and Dimitris Itoudis fifth with 212 wins. The last coach with more than 200 victories is Dusko Ivanovic with 202, but Ergin Ataman is close behind at 196.

Messina has coached five different teams in the competition. He got 36 wins with Virtus Bologna, with whom he won the original EuroLeague title in 2001 and reached the 2002 EuroLeague Championship Game. Messina went on to coach Benetton Treviso, where he recorded 44 wins. He led Benetton to the 2003 Final Four. He moved then to CSKA Moscow, reaching as many as four consecutive EuroLeague Championship Games from 2006 to 2009, winning the club's first continental crown since 1971 in 2006 and then doing it again two years later, in 2008. He also coached Real Madrid and had a second stint with CSKA before joining Milan. Messina compiled 123 EuroLeague wins with CSKA, 23 with Real and just grabbed his 74th victory with Milan.

Messina has the fourth-best winning percentage (68.3%) in EuroLeague history for coaches who have taken part in 100 games or more. Only Itoudis (72.1%), Laso (69.2%) and Pini Gershon (68.6%) have a better winning percentage.

Born in Catania, Italy, Messina is a four-time EuroLeague champion, as he previously led Virtus to its first continental crown in 1998. Other highlights include six Italian League and 9 Italian Cup titles, six Russian League crowns and VTB League trophies. Messina was chosen twice as the Alexander Gomelskiy EuroLeague Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2008, and also led the Italian national team to a silver medal at EuroBasket 1997. He currently is Milan's head coach and president of basketball operations.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">300 only love <a href="https://t.co/4UXSQJrXl1">pic.twitter.com/4UXSQJrXl1</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1714387639913034235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>