In a playoff battle between classic teams, Real Madrid takes on Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade for a spot in the Final Four spot. Real finished the regular season in second place with a 23-11 record and will be looking for its 11th continental crown. Partizan is back in the EuroLeague Playoffs for the first time since 2010 after placing seventh in the regular season standings with a 20-14 record. 

Breakdown: Real Madrid vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

In a playoff battle between classic teams, [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2022-23) takes on [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-nis-belgrade/roster/par/?season=2022-23) for a spot in the Final Four. Real finished the regular season in second place with a 23-11 record and will be looking for its 11th continental crown. Partizan is back in the EuroLeague Playoffs for the first time since 2010 after placing seventh in the regular season standings with a 20-14 record. 

### Obradovic: Playoff legend

When it comes to the EuroLeague Playoffs, Zeljko Obradovic has been almost unbeatable. Since the format was introduced in 2005, Obradovic has won 10 out of 11 playoff series: with Panathinaikos in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012, and with Fenerbahce in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. His only playoff elimination came with Panathinaikos against Baskonia in 2006. If we look further back, Obradovic did even better. 

Since he started his coaching career with Partizan in the 1991-92 campaign, Obradovic has won 20 out of 21 playoff series and has a winning record of 49-13 (79.0%). It has won playoff series with six different teams: Partizan, Joventut Badalona, Real, Benetton Treviso, Panathinaikos Athens and Fenerbahce Istanbul. Obradovic also played eight two-game, total-points series in the second-tier competition and won all of them. That's 28-1 in multiple-game elimination rounds. Last season, however, Obradovic and Partizan lost to Frutti Extra Bursaspor in the single-game 7DAYS EuroCup Eighthfinals, 95-103, in overtime. 

### Real's experience is a factor

Experience is definitely on Los Blancos' side. [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) has won eight playoff series. Since 2005, Llull has played more playoff games than anyone, 42. Llull and [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rudy-fernandez/bmt/) have a chance to become the first players to win three EuroLeague titles with Real this century. [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) also looks for his third EuroLeague crown; he won his first with Real in 2015 and his second with CSKA Moscow in 2019. [Fabien Causeur](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/fabien-causeur/001392/), [Anthony Randolph](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/anthony-randolph/005757/) and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) were also with the team when Real lifted the trophy in 2018. 

[Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/), [Alberto Abalde](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alberto-abalde/003733/), [Adam Hanga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/adam-hanga/005099/), [Gabriel Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/), [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/) and [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) also reached the EuroLeague Championship Game with Los Blancos: that's 12 players who have made it that far with Real, a full lineup. All of Partizan's players combined haver 50 playoff games played and 24 wins. When it comes to Los Blancos, their players combine for 209 playoff appearances and 132 victories. 

### Tavares vs. Lessort, a treat 

This playoff series gives fans the chance to see two of the best centers in the competition go against each other. At age 27, [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) is having a breakout season, leading the 2022-23 EuroLeague in rebounds (7.3 rpg.) while also averaging 12.1 points on 69.0% two-point shooting, 1.4 assists, 0.8 blocks and a PIR of 19.5. Lessort offers intangibles such as outstanding energy, fighting spirit and a unique connection with Partizan fans, who consider him a fan-favorite and one of their own due to his interaction with the crowd. 

Tavares leads the EuroLeague in blocks (2.3 bpg.). He has set a record for most blocks in a season: 77 and counting. A two-time All-EuroLeague First Team selection and EuroLeague Best Defender choice, Tavares is averaging 10.3 points on 67.2% two-point shooting, 6.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists for a PIR of 16.2. This season, He was worth 12.0 points and 6.0 rebounds for a PIR of 13.5 in two games against Partizan. Lessort had slightly better numbers against Real: 12.0 points and 5.5 rebounds for a PIR of 19.5. 

### A Real home-court advantage

When it comes to playoff series in the 21st century, counting those played in the 2000-01 campaign, Real has won nine playoff series and lost six. Having the home-court advantage or not has definitely made a difference for Los Blancos, who have been indestructible with it and struggled much more when it started a playoff series anywhere other than in the Spanish capital. 

Indeed, Real has won all eight playoff series in which it had the home-court advantage, sweeping half of them: against Buducnost Podgorica in 2001 (2-0), Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2013 (3-0) and 2022 (3-0), and Panathinaikos in 2019. Real also registered playoff wins against Valencia Basket in 2011 (3-2), Olympiacos Piraeus in 2014 (3-2), Anadolu Efes Istanbul in 2015 (3-1) and Darussafaka Istanbul in 2017 (3-1). On the other hand, Real is 1-6 when not having the home-court advantage, only beating Panathinaikos (1-3) in 2018. Real is 23-6 in playoff games (79.3% wins) when having the home-court advantage and 9-16 (36.0%) when it doesn't.

Real Madrid v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-04-25T18:45:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-04-27T18:45:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas has reached the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs thanks in part to group of newcomers that complemented a core of players who have been with the team for a while. Laurynas Birutis is in between both groups, as in his second stint with the team, he is playing a big role this time. 

Laurynas Birutis, Zalgiris: 'Like father, like son'

Zalgiris Kaunas has reached the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs thanks in part to group of newcomers that complemented a core of players who have been with the team for a while. [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/) is in between both groups, as in his second stint with the team, he is playing a big role this time.

 

Birutis, age 25, played for Zalgiris's first team in the 2018-19 season, averaging 2.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in 17 EuroLeague games. He grew up with Zalgiris's youth teams and had a breakout season with Siauliai, his hometown club, leading the 2017-18 Lithuanian League in rebounds (7.2) and blocked shots (1.3) while averaging 15.1 points per night.

Zalgiris Kaunas center

After I beat [my father] one-on-one, he started not to play with me."

He has always played center, just like his father, Sigitas Birutis, who was with Siauliai from 1995 to 2000, who played in Poland as well as on several other clubs in Lithuania. Sigitas has stayed active over the years, playing in over-40 and over-50 leagues. In fact, competing against him allowed Laurynas to get better.

 

"I was very tall from my childhood, so always a center," Birutis says. "We used to play when I was a kid, but after I beat him one-on-one, he started not to play with me. I was 15 or 16 maybe, so it was my time.

 

"It was a challenge for me, too, because he played professionally, so I wanted to overpass him. That pushed me forward."

I was with the ball every time when I was a kid, so that's why I love this game."

Birutis thinks his father being a professional player was the first step for him to be interested in basketball.

 

"I was watching his games when I was just a kid, so I think it's just how I started to play," he recalls. "I was with the ball every time when I was a kid, so that's why I love this game. He pushed me on how to work hard, how to come every day ready, give 100%, and that's the most important thing, I think."

 

After this first season with Zalgiris and an additional campaign with Preinai, Birutis went on to play abroad, joining Monbus Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where he grew as a player over two seasons. In the second of those seasons, he averaged 13.1 points on 61.4% shooting and 4.8 rebounds in 33 Spanish League games, after which Zalgiris showed interest in bringing him back. His father was there along the way, offering advice and traveling to see him.

 

"He watches almost every game. So after most of the games, he has still something to say to me, good or bad. Most of the times bad!" Birutis joked. "He even came to Santiago a couple of times just to see my games in Spain."

 

Birutis never lost track of what was going on in Lithuanian basketball, in general, and at Zalgiris, in particular.

 

"Always," he emphasized. "I kept following not only Zalgiris but also almost all Lithuanian teams, how they were doing in the Lithuanian league and in European championships."

 

Birutis has been a key factor for Zalgiris while coming off the bench in 33 of 34 games this season. He is averaging 5.0 points on 64.8% shooting, 3.1 rebounds and a PIR of 6.7 in less than 13 minutes on the floor. He leads Zalgiris in PIR (21.0) per 40 minutes.

 

Of course, his father comes to see him play regularly, but don't expect him to be the most vocal person in the arena.

 

"No, he's kind of quiet, like, more on an insightful person," Laurynas says. "He doesn't like \[to\] express himself too much."

 

The Birutis family has the opportunity to watch Laurynas and Zalgiris Kaunas, the pride of Lithuania, take on FC Barcelona in the upcoming playoffs. The electric atmosphere at Zalgirio Arena will surely bring some emotions from Laurynas and Sigitas, on and off the court.

Laurynas Birutis, Zalgiris: Like father, like son

The story of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams flipping the script to steal playoffs they had entered without home-court advantage may be shorter than its opposite, but it's still long enough to make believers out of four challengers each spring – and perhaps, especially, in this one.

 When home-court advantage is flipped 

The story of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams flipping the script to steal playoffs they had entered without home-court advantage may be shorter than its opposite, but it's still long enough to make believers out of four challengers each spring – and perhaps, especially, in this one.

Fifth- to eighth-place teams generally qualify later to the playoffs, and so must transition quickly from euphoria to the hard work of overturning their home-court disadvantage in hostile territory. It's a daunting task, but not impossible.

Since 2005, at least one team has beaten those odds in 10 of 17 seasons, or 58.8%. Since series were expanded to five games in 2009, they've had a bit more success. In eight of 13 years (61.5%), at least one underdog prevailed, and twice it was more than one. That was never the case with best-of-three series, when just two of 16 lower-seeded teams won (12.5%), and the only breakthrough club was Baskonia, in both 2005 and 2006.

In the best-of-five era starting in 2010, that rate has risen to 21.2% as underdogs won 11 of 42 series. And in all but one of them, they used the same formula – getting an early road win and then sweeping at home to qualify in four games. Higher-seed teams that win both Game 1 and Game 2 are 25-0 in five-game series and 15-0 in Game 5s.

As such, the historical imperative for underdogs is to flip home-court advantage by winning early on the road. The sweet spot for would-be upset teams is a 1-1 tie, which has happened in 26 five-game series, nine of which, or 34.6%, were ultimately won by lower-seeded teams.

### Four lower seeds who’ve been there, done that

No matter the odds, all four of this year's challengers – Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Zalgiris Kaunas and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul – have an advantage in knowing that their clubs have risen to the same task in the past.

Only one five-game series has started 0-2 in favor of the visitors, leading to the only sweep ever by a lower-seeded team, Fenerbahce Istanbul on its way to the title in 2017. In Game 1 that year, Fenerbahce came back from 12 down at halftime on the court of Panathinaikos Athens to win by 13 as Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nikola Kalinic combined to hit 9 of 12 three-pointers.

The mastermind of that Fenerbahce feat, coaching legend Zeljko Obradovic, is back to the playoffs for the first time this decade with Partizan, which coincidentally was the first-ever upset winner of a five-game series. Partizan ambushed Maccabi in Game 1 of the 2010 playoffs as Dusan Kecman hit 7 of 9 three-pointers for 29 points and then won both Games 3 and 4 at home to reach the Final Four.

Maccabi, another of this year's challengers, has turned the tables twice to qualify for the Final Four: in 2011 after winning Game 2 against Baskonia and in 2014 on the back of an epic series-opening overtime road win in Milan. Maccabi rallied from 12 points down with barely 3 minutes left as Ricky Hickman and Tyrese Rice combined from there on 29 of the team's last 32 points in a 99-101 victory. After winning Games 3 and 4 at home, Maccabi returned to Milan to lift the trophy.

Not to be outdone, the last of this year's playoff qualifiers, Zalgiris, has also pulled off an upset leading to the Final Four, against Olympiacos Piraeus in 2018. Overtime was the theme again as Brandon Davies and Kevin Pangos spearheaded a 78-87 road win that aimed Zalgiris for its first Final Four of the century.

### Silver linings for underdogs

If their odds aren't as good to start a series, the silver lining for underdogs is that if they do steal an early road win and eventually the series, they usually go on to become serious threats at the Final Four.

Of those 11 lower seeds who advanced from 42 series since 2010, six have become champions. Two others have been runners-up. And special mention goes to Partizan in 2010 for taking both of its Final Four games to overtime before ending up in fourth place.

To put that in perspective, in the eight seasons in which at least one has broken through to the Final Four, an underdog has lifted the trophy six times! That 75% success rate at the Final Four is not only better than higher-seed semifinalists in the years when underdogs make it that far, but an even 50-50 between higher- and lower-seeded playoff teams overall in the last 12 seasons.

So they may not win most, let alone all of their playoff series, but when they do, watch out for the underdogs.

When home-court advantage is flipped

Olympiacos Piraeus v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-04-26T18:45:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-04-25T18:15:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-04-26T18:00:00.000Z)

Everyone is waiting to find out who will be named the MVP and the EuroLeague Best Defender, as well as who will make the All-EuroLeague teams, but what about the unsung moments that took place during the season and deserve to be highlighted again? Don't they also deserve an award?

For sure they do!

And that's how we ended up here. Eurohoops presents its first-ever EuroLeague Quirky Awards.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1491214/euroleague-quirky-awards-for-2022-23-regular-season/)

EuroLeague quirky awards for 2022-23 regular season by Eurohoops

In one of the more intriguing battles in the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, the second-seed FC Barcelona takes on the side that finished the regular season in seventh position, Zalgiris Kaunas. Never before have these two faced off in the playoffs and, with this year's Final Four set to take place in Kaunas, Lithuania, there is plenty of excitement about what could be ahead for Zalgiris. Both teams had strong finishes to the regular season, with Barca going 5-1 and Zalgiris 4-2 over their last six games, which allowed them to finish with a record of 23-11 and 19-15, respectively.

EuroLeague Playoffs Breakdown: FC Barcelona vs. Zalgiris Kaunas

In one of the more intriguing battles in the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, the second-seed [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) takes on the side that finished the regular season in seventh position, [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/). Never before have these two faced off in the playoffs and, with this year's Final Four set to take place in Kaunas, Lithuania, there is plenty of excitement about what could be ahead for Zalgiris. Both teams had strong finishes to the regular season, with Barca going 5-1 and Zalgiris 4-2 over their last six games, which allowed them to finish with a record of 23-11 and 19-15, respectively.

### The importance of home court

As the higher seed in this series, Barca has the clear advantage. Not only does Saras Jasikevicius's side get to play the first two games at home, but it will also return to Palau Blaugrana in the event that the series goes to a do-or-die Game 5. There was one point in mid-January when Barca had a 6-4 record on its home floor, but since losing back-to-back home games against Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Rounds 17 and 19, the Spanish side has chained together seven wins in a row at Palau Blaugrana, which includes a 93-74 triumph over Zalgiris. In short, Barca enters the playoffs with its home arena feeling like a fortress.

FC Barcelona - Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 26 | Highlights

That sentiment can certainly be understood by any fan of Zalgiris. During the regular season, Zalgirio Arena was a cauldron of noise that often resulted in visiting teams faltering, with Zalgiris going 13-4 in Kaunas – and one of those wins came against Barca, 73-72, back in Round 4. Down the final stretch of the season, head coach Kazys Maksvytis knew that he could lean on those in the rafters to act as a sixth player on the court, which ultimately proved decisive in Zalgiris clinching a spot in the playoffs. Now, if the Zalgiris crowd was like that during regular-season games, imagine what sort of atmosphere they will provide for the team's first playoff series in four years. It should make Games 3 and 4 particularly interesting.

Zalgiris Kaunas rounded a perfect double-round week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by downing FC Barcelona in front of a sellout crowd at Zalgirio Arena.

Zalgiris Kaunas - FC Barcelona | Round 4 | Highlights

### A meeting of old friends

For some individuals involved in this series, there will be a feeling of nostalgia. That will particularly be the case for Barca's tactician, Coach Jasikevicius. The 47-year-old, who was born in Kaunas, saw out the final year of his playing career with Zalgiris in 2013-14 and then joined the team's staff, acting as an assistant between 2014 and 2016. Then, from 2016 to 2020, he led Zalgiris as its head coach before leaving for Barca. Coach Jasikevicius worked wonders in his time with Zalgiris, as the side reached the 2018 Final Four after beating the third-seeded Olympiacos Piraeus 3-1. Zalgiris lost in the semifinals to Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, 76-67, but it was able to defeat CSKA Moscow, 77-79, in the third-place game. Jasikevicius, a childhood Zalgiris fan, should get a wonderful reception when he returns to his former home.

Focus on: Sarunas Jasikevicius, FC Barcelona

As should be the case for Barca guard [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/). The 22-year-old came through the youth academy of Zalgiris and made his first-team debut in 2018-19, with his performances soon catching the attention of Jasikevicius and Barca, who brought him to Spain in 2021. Jokubaitis has since gone on to be named the EuroLeague Rising Star, and he is a strong candidate to retain his trophy, despite a turbulent campaign for him personally. Zalgiris always welcomes back its former players with open arms, and that will certainly be the case for Jokubaitis when he returns to Zalgirio Arena in this series.

On the other side, Zalgiris forward [Rolands Smits](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rolands-smits/007109/) gets to face Barca, the team with which he played his first four seasons in the EuroLeague. Smits spent the first decade of his career in Spain, but as he went in search of a bigger role, he opted to leave his comfort zone and join Zalgiris. The result? Career highs for minutes, points, rebounds, assists and PIR. What's more, Smits is coming off a 16-point performance in Zalgiris's playoff-clinching win at FC Bayern Munich, 80-83, in which he helped the visitors stay afloat in the early going by scoring 12 of their opening 14 points of the game. His confidence is high, and he'll be determined to remind Barca of his talents.

### The key players in the series

Barca has a 26-7 all-time record against Zalgiris, but as Coach Maksvytis's side showed in Round 4, it knows how to defeat this iteration of the *Blaugrana*. That day, [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/) scored a team-high 18 points, with Smits and team captain [Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edgaras-ulanovas/002329/) adding 15 apiece. Evans suffered a season-ending injury when Zalgiris beat Fenerbahce in Round 17, but Zalgiris quickly moved to sign [Isaiah Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-taylor/012068/), who has done a good job of scoring the ball and playmaking, averaging 8.7 points and 2.8 assists in his 12 games since joining the team. There are more threats that Barca should be worried about, though.

The best plays of Zalgiris Kaunas in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Zalgiris's best plays, 2022-23

Ulanovas, the leader of this team, has enjoyed his best season to date for points and assists, averaging 10.2 points and 2.6 helpers per night, and he is often the man who Zalgiris turns to in the fourth quarter to get it over the line. As noted above, Smits is having a career year on the offensive end, averaging 10.3 points per contest, and EuroLeague rookie [Ignas Brazdeikis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ignas-brazdeikis/011983/) has looked more and more at home as the season has progressed, averaging 11.4 points per game. Guard [Lukas Lekavicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lukas-lekavicius/003210/) can get hot at any time, too, as he showed with his excellent 20-point outing off the bench at Bayern in Round 34. Defensively, do-it-all forward [Arnas Butkevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/arnas-butkevicius/002676/) can defend 1 through 5 and is a terror for opposition players, while center [Kevarrius Hayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevarrius-hayes/010390/) has done a good job of protecting the rim, leading to some of the best Magic Moments this season.

Zalgiris has plenty of different players for Barca to be wary of, yet the visiting *Blaugrana* – with one of the biggest budgets in the EuroLeague – have some of the league's star players in its ranks. Front and center is [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), who scored 28 points on outstanding shooting as Barca exacted revenge against Zalgiris in Round 26, 93-74. The reigning EuroLeague MVP has come close to winning his first EuroLeague title, but thus far, Europe's biggest prize has eluded him. Instead, back-to-back Final Four appearances have ended in disappointment – first in the 2021 championship game against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, and then against archrival Real Madrid in the 2022 semifinals. This year, Mirotic will be eager to get over the line and help Barca lift its first EuroLeague trophy since 2010.

The best plays of FC Barcelona in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Barcelona's best plays, 2022-23

There are a wealth of options at Coach Jasikevicius's disposal, beginning with star addition [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/), who last summer signed for Barca to accompany [Nicolas Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) in the starting backcourt. Satoransky (8.6 ppg., 4.3 apg.) and Laprovittola (11.0 ppg., 4.6 apg.) combined well as a duo, and there were two other big names that also joined Barca in the last offseason: [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) (6.8 ppg., 3.5 rpg., 1.7 apg.) and [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) (9.1 ppg., 3.9 rpg., 1.5 apg.), two winners from the 2017 Final Four. Those four, in addition to Mirotic, comprise an all-star starting five for Barca, while the team has several weapons off the bench, too, with two-time EuroLeague winner [Cory Higgins](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/cory-higgins/006450/) at the head of the pack. Once you add the likes of Jokubaitis, [Alex Abrines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alex-abrines/003478/), [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/), [Kyle Kuric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kyle-kuric/005789/) and [Mike Tobey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-tobey/008966/) into the mix, it becomes a frightening prospect, something that Zalgiris will be very aware of.

Breakdown: FC Barcelona vs. Zalgiris Kaunas

### The Reds' stat leaders

One reason why [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2022-23)  finished the regular season first, with a 24-10 record, is that its players dominated the main statistical categories: [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) led the regular season in points (17.6), defensive rebounds (5.4) and PIR (22.2), and was second in total rebounds (7.1) and two-point shots made (4.5) per game. [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) finished first in average steals (1.9). [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) had the best two-point shooting accuracy (75.2%), while [Shaquille McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/) was not only fourth (71.8%), but was the only guard ranked among top 25 in this category. Meanwhile, [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) and Walkup each averaged 5.9 assists, ranking third and fourth place, respectively. Olympiacos was the only team with two players making better than 91.0% of its free throws: Walkup ranked sixth (91.9%) and Sloukas eighth (91.2%) among players. Also just outside of a top-five ranking was [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/), who finished seventh in three-point accuracy at 48.0%.

### Dominant big men

Three centers who are getting ready for the playoffs have been among league's regular-season best performers. When it comes to defense, [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2022-23)'s [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) has already made history by setting a new single-season record with 77 total blocks, surpassing the previous best of 68 by Ekpe Udoh. Averaging 2.3 per game, Tavares is also on pace to set a new EuroLeague record for best single-season average. With averages of 10.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, Tavares is a big difference-maker for Real.

On the offensive end, [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) of [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2022-23) has been in a league of his own. He [downed 26.7% of all two-point shots made by Fenerbahce](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=200&viewType=scoring&seasonCode=E2022&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=fieldGoalsMade2Share), for the league's highest share in that statistic; no other player reached 23% in that category. With 14.9 points and 5.6 rebounds, and considering his high share of two-pointers made, Fenerbahce can be expected to depend on Motley continuing his inside production in the playoffs. [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-nis-belgrade/roster/par/?season=2022-23) center [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) has the third-highest share of two-pointers made for his team (20.7%). The league leader in both total (7.3  and offensive rebounds (3.1), and second in average PIR (19.5), it is easy to see how instrumental Lessort was in Partizan's regular-season success.

### Maccabi's duo and Monaco's trio

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2022-23) has a pair of top-five scorers in [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) (16.7 ppg.) and [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) (16.5). They combined for 33.2 of Maccabi's 83.6 points per game, which is 39.7% of team's points, the highest share of any team's points of any other duo in the league. Moreover, it marks the first time since the 2016-17 campaign - after Nando De Colo (20.1 ppg.) and Milos Teodosic (16.1 ppg.) did so for CSKA Moscow - that two teammates average more than 16.0 points while ranking among top five in scoring in the regular season. No other duos have accomplished that since the round robin format was introduced in 2016-17.

Meanwhile, [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) (1.5 triples per game) and [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) (1.4) combined for 44.0% of [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2022-23)'s three-point shots made, as James has a [share of 22.3% of three-pointers made](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=200&viewType=scoring&seasonCode=E2022&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=fieldGoalsMade3Share) in his 32 appearances and Loyd 21.7% in his 29 appearances. Add [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/) (1.38) to that equation, and that share goes up to 64.7%. Monaco makes a league-low 6.7 triples per game, but this trio amounts for nearly two-thirds of that average.

### Hot into the playoffs

Partizan shooting guard [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) is the only member of a 50-40-90 club who will compete in the playoffs. Punter has made 50.2% of his two-pointers, 41.7% of his threes and 90.6% of his free throws, and has made 45 consecutive free throws entering the playoffs. Punter has been hot since Round 17. After shooting 25 of 76 (32.9%) from long range in the first 16 rounds, he has since nailed 40 of 80 shots from the arc (50.0%). Also, Punter has made 58 of 60 free throws since Round 17.

Punter, who ranks ninth this season with 15.5 points per game, has fourth-highest point total since the domestic cups break in mid-February. The leader in that same span, over the last 10 rounds of the regular season, is reigning MVP [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), who has averaged 17.9 points for [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/roster/bar/?season=2022-23). In addition to  Mirotic, Baldwin, Punter, Brown, Vezenkov and Motley , the other playoff participant who was among the top scorers in the final 10 rounds of the regular season is Real's guard [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/), who has averaged 16.1 points in that span.

### The most impactful bench players

There are more than a half-dozen players whom teams will count on to bring spark from the bench in these best-of-five playoff series. Olympiacos has its duo of Kostas Sloukas and [Giannoulis Larentzakis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/giannoulis-larentzakis/010392/) who have not started a single game this season, but play massive roles. Sloukas averages 10.7 points and 5.9 assists, while Larentzakis had 7.4 points per game in just 16 minutes on the floor. The best performers among players coming off the bench are Partizan's [Dante Exum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dante-exum/011302/), Monaco's Okobo and [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) of Fenerbahce. Exum had just seven starts and ranks 15th in scoring, with 13.3 points on 42.4% three-point shooting, and also posting 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds. Okobo had just five starts, ranking 16th in scoring with 12.8 points, along with 3.6 assists and 2.1 rebounds. Guduric also started just five  games, posting 12.5 points, 3.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds.

Another contributor who has mostly come off the bench is Monaco's [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/), with 13 starts in 34 appearances, posting 10.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals. Real Madrid has gotten a playmaking spark from [Sergio Rodriguez,](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) who averages 4.2 assists in just over 14 minutes per game, which would be a league second-best 11.2 assists prorated over 40 minutes. [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/roster/zal/?season=2022-23) counts on [Arnas Butkevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/arnas-butkevicius/002676/), a starter in just eight games who averages 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds, but his contributions go far beyond his numbers. What is interesting for Sloukas, Butkevicius and Exum is that they all [rank in the top 10](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=200&viewType=scoring&seasonCode=E2022&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=pointsMadeFreeThrowsRate) when it comes to percentage of their points coming from the free throw line.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">0/0 2FG, but 17 eff! 😳 <a href="https://t.co/pBzxz014Or">pic.twitter.com/pBzxz014Or</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1647235737258008578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The players bringing key numbers to the playoffs

Olympiacos Piraeus v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-04-28T18:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-04-28T18:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-04-27T18:15:00.000Z)

First-year FC Barcelona forward Oscar da Silva is going to get his first taste of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs when the Spanish side takes on Zalgiris Kaunas in a best-of-five series, and the German-born forward has his Brazilian father to thank for his love of basketball. 

Oscar da Silva, FC Barcelona: 'Fortunately, I stuck around'

First-year FC Barcelona forward [Oscar da Silva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/oscar-da-silva/011244/) is going to get his first taste of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs when the Spanish side takes on Zalgiris Kaunas in a best-of-five series, and the German-born forward has his Brazilian father to thank for his love of basketball.

Da Silva, who was born in Munich to a Brazilian father and a German mother, sat down with Euroleague Basketball to discuss growing up in a dual nationality household, his favorite parts about Brazil and Germany, as well as which nation he would choose to represent if given the opportunity. But, as he explains, without his father's influence, he may not have ever gone on to become a professional basketball player.

FC Barcelona player

"I'm still trying to establish myself here, and then we'll see where the journey goes."

"Yeah, he sort of just took me to a practice," Da Silva explains. "I did play soccer for a few years when I was younger, but I quit that and then he wanted me to not just sit around the house. He ended up taking me to a basketball practice when I must have been 8 or 9, I think, and fortunately, I stuck around."

It has become increasingly common over the last few decades for children to grow up in a dual-nationality household and Da Silva is no different. He may have spent his entire childhood in Germany, but the 24-year-old still appreciates his Brazilian side, particularly some of the benefits that came with it, such as being able to go there on vacation.

"I think I feel a bit stronger ties to Germany, just because that's home for me – I've never lived in Brazil," he states. "But, obviously, my father being from there means a great deal to me and I've been to the country and I have a lot of family there still, so I definitely embrace that side as well.

"I've been four or five times, I think, in the summers. Back when we were younger, we would usually go \[to Brazil\] as a family to go and visit the family, go and take different trips to the beach and whatnot, so it was always a good vacation."

That said, for Da Silva, there are few things like being back in his home of Munich, Germany. He still has strong ties to the city and always relishes any chance to return.

"For me, because it's my home, where I grew up, I think it's the social aspect \[that I like most about Germany\]," he explains. "\[I've got\] friends and family that are there, me speaking the language, getting around everywhere, and especially in Munich – it's such a unique and great city. I always love to spend time there."

But, Da Silva's basketball journey has brought him to Barcelona. Now in his second season in the EuroLeague, having spent his rookie campaign with ALBA Berlin in his native Germany, Da Silva is looking to make his name in the competition while representing one of the league's powerhouse clubs.

"Right now, obviously I'm in a great situation here. The EuroLeague, outside the NBA, is definitely the highest level that you can play at," he comments. "I'm still trying to establish myself here, and then we'll see where the journey goes from there."

"[Germany is] a country that's to be reckoned with in terms of basketball."

As a player who has the option of representing Germany or Brazil at the international level – and having suited up for Germany's Under 18s and 19s earlier in his career – the Stanford University graduate is clear that he would relish any opportunity to play for Die Mannschaft at senior level.

"I think still Germany \[would be my pick\]," Da Silva says. "Like I said, I think I feel I have a little bit stronger ties there and as they have just shown in the most recent EuroBasket, they're a country that's to be reckoned with in terms of basketball. It's up and coming and I think we celebrated a lot of… the sport of basketball this summer. I think people got a lot more into it."

Da Silva has had to make do with a reserve role at Barca this season, coming off the bench in all 27 of his appearances, but he is a player with big ambitions whom fans in the EuroLeague and Germany alike should be keeping a close eye on.

Oscar da Silva, FC Barcelona: 'Fortunately, I stuck around basketball'

EuroLeague powers Olympiacos Piraeus and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul will battle in the playoffs for one Final Four spot. Olympiacos finished the regular season with a league-best 24-10 record after holding first place almost all the way. Fenerbahce used a 9-1 regular season start to stay in the upper part of the standings all season long. 

Breakdown: Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

EuroLeague powers [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2022-23) and [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2022-23) will battle in the playoffs for one Final Four spot. Olympiacos finished the regular season with a league-best 24-10 record after holding first place almost all the way. Fenerbahce used a 9-1 regular season start to stay in the upper part of the standings all season long.

### Olympiacos: on to a second chance

Olympiacos made it to the Final Four last season and has most of the players who made it happen back as well as Georgios Bartzokas, the 2021-22 Alexander Gomelskiy EuroLeague Coach of the Year. In addition to 2021-22 All-EuroLeague selections [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) and [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/), the Reds retained [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/), [Michalis Lountzis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/michalis-lountzis/006302/), [Giannoulis Larentzakis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/giannoulis-larentzakis/010392/), [Shaquielle McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/), [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) and [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/). That means eight players who won a tough playoff series against AS Monaco together will suit up in this phase again. And there's more.

The Reds did not make many off-season additions, but made sure those who arrived had the experience required at this level. [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) and [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) won a EuroLeague title with CSKA Moscow in 2019. Bolomboy played another Final Four with CSKA in 2021. Tarik Black also played in the EuroLeague Playoffs with Zenit St Petersburg in the 2020-21 campaign. [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) helped UNICS Kazan reach the 2021 7DAYS EuroCup Finals. Most Olympiacos players have been there and know exactly what to do.

### Fenerbahce: experience meets opportunity 

Fenerbahce has a nice mix of players who have plenty of EuroLeague Playoffs experience, along with some who have been looking for this opportunity for a long time. [Melih Mahmutoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/melih-mahmutoglu/002969/) won the EuroLeague with Fenerbahce in 2017, [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) lifted the trophy with Panathinaikos Athens in 2011. [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) (2018, 2019), [Tarik Biberovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tarik-biberovic/006961/) (2019) and [Nemanja Bjelica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nemanja-bjelica/001413/) (2015) have been to the Final Four with Fenerbahce. [Tyler Dorsey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyler-dorsey/009849/) reached it with Olympiacos last season, just like [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) did with FC Barcelona. [DyShawn Pierre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dyshawn-pierre/010560/) has been to the playoffs with Fenerbahce in 2021 and [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) played in the playoffs with both Darussafaka Istanbul and Maccabi Tel Aviv. 

On the other hand, [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) and [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) have the opportunity to play in the playoffs in their first season in the competition. [Tonye Jekir](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tonye-jekiri/009733/)i and [Devin Booker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devin-booker/007056/) have played over 100 EuroLeague regular season games but are set to make their playoff debuts. That combination of experience and willingness to do well right away is an interesting one for Fenerbahce. 

### Sloukas: shooting for Final Four royalty

Sloukas is a key player in this series. He played for Fenerbahce for five seasons and won the EuroLeague with it in 2017. He is the only player in this year's playoffs with three EuroLeague titles. Sloukas previously helped Olympiacos claim back-to-back continental crowns in 2012 and 2013. Only 12 players have won at least four EuroLeague rings since European competitions started in 1958. Only one of them, Kyle Hines (Olympiacos 2012, 2013; CSKA 2016, 2019) is still an active player. Dino Meneghin leads the all-time standings with seven titles: Varese 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, Milan 1987, 1988. 

Sloukas has a chance to make it to his ninth Final Four. He's been there four times each with Fenerbahce and Olympiacos. If Sloukas returns to the Final Four, he will tie Hines, Theo Papaloukas and Andrey Vorontsevich for the second-most Final Four appearances, behind all-time leader Victor Khryapa (12). He has a chance to reach his seventh EuroLeague championship game. Only Derrick Sharp and Matjaz Smodis have achieved that since 2000. 

### Decorated Greek coaches 

Only two Greek coaches have won the EuroLeague title, and both of them are in this series. Coach Bartzokas helped Olympiacos win the EuroLeague in 2013 and seeks a second crown exactly a decade later. Bartzokas was twice chosen as the EuroLeague Coach of the Year, in 2013 and 2022, and also helped Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar reach the Final Four in 2016, in just the club's second season in the competition. Bartzokas has a 12-12 playoff record with Olympiacos, Lokomotiv and Khimki Moscow Region. 

Just like Bartzokas, Itoudis has been chosen as the EuroLeague Coach of the Year twice, in 2016 and 2019, when he led CSKA to respective EuroLeague titles. Itoudis was also part of the coaching staff that helped Panathinaikos win five EuroLeague titles from 2000 to 2011. As head coach, his playoff record is almost spotless: six series won with CSKA in as many appearances and an 18-3 record. That's an outstanding 85.7% winning rate in the playoffs!

With the nightly drama of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs ready to blast off, it's time to test your expertise by playing the EuroLeague Bracket Challenge.

Play the EuroLeague Bracket Challenge now!

With the nightly drama of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs ready to blast off, it's time to test your expertise by playing the [EuroLeague Bracket Challenge](https://bracket.euroleague.net/en/v2/).

Join the fun by going to the [EuroLeague Bracket Challenge](https://bracket.euroleague.net/en/v2/) page and creating a EuroLeague ID if you don't have one.

To fill out your bracket, first choose the winner in each game of all four best-of-five playoff series. Before doing so, [review the scoring system](https://bracket.euroleague.net/en/v2/how-to-play) to see how choosing lower-seeded underdogs can give you more points.

Once you have your four playoff series winners, it's time to choose the winners of the semifinals according to your predictions.

And finally, from your two semifinal winners, you choose a champion, the points difference in the final score of the championship game, and the name of the Final Four MVP.

Once the bracket is complete, click on the "Submit" button and you will be in the game!

Each correct choice along the way will add to your point total and make you eligible for great prizes.

The [EuroLeague Bracket Challenge](https://bracket.euroleague.net/en/v2/) is open right now! You must validate your completed bracket before Tuesday, April 25 at 18:59 CET, just one minute before the start of the playoffs, to be eligible for great prizes.

And of course, there are great prizes! The grand prize winner will get two tickets to the 2024 Final Four, to be held in Berlin, Germany! The second-place Silver Prize winner will get four tickets to be used at a game or games of his or her choosing during the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season! The owner of the third-best bracket will get a EuroLeague TV season pass for the 2023-24 season.

So, don't wait! Fill out the bracket and get ready to enjoy the [EuroLeague Bracket Challenge](https://bracket.euroleague.net/en/v2/)!