Name: TLC slams it home in transition! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Semifinals winner, Game 2

Congratulations to Kaliebe Dimitrios, our 22nd winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Kaliebe's team, 'Juohmaru', posted a score of 175.80.

Kaliebe had the following starting lineup: Johnathan Motley of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv as team captain, then his teammate Yam Madar, Valencia Basket duo of Matthew Costello and Jean Montero, and Dreamland Gran Canaria's Nico Brussino. Hapoel's Marcus Foster was the sixth man.

The head coach of Kaliebe's team was Dimitris Itoudis of Hapoel, and the four bench players were Hapoel's Antonio Blakeney, Valencia's Nate Reuvers and Nate Sestina, and Goktug Bas of Bahcesehir College Istanbul.

The prize for finishing first in the 22nd round of the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Kaliebe!

The leader in the overall standings remains Milos Mihajlovic and his squad, 'BallIsLife', which has a total of 3,651.45 points after the first 22 rounds. Trades are now open for the 23rd round, which is Game 3 of the EuroCup semifinals, and the number of trades is unlimited.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become EuroCup Fantasy Challenge's next winner!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager, so get in the game and go for the gold!

After allowing 20 offensive rebounds in Game 1, Gran Canaria protected its defensive glass better in Game 2 by giving up just 7.

Gran Canaria lives to fight another day after protecting its defensive glass 

[Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/) rebounded from its disappointing Game 1 loss in the semifinals by… well, rebounding better, especially on its defensive glass. And that led to the semifinal series now being tied 1-1. 

[Gran Canaria beat Bahcesehir College Istanbul 69-68](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-still-alive-after-69-68-win-over-bahcesehir-thanks-to-homesley-heroics/) in Game 2 on a [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) three-point play with 1.1 seconds left to send the series to Game 3 in Istanbul next Tuesday. The biggest difference between the first two games was Bahcesehir’s number of offensive rebounds. 

The Turkish side took the opening game 74-66 as it dominated the rebounding battle 42-27, including a massive 20 offensive boards, which led to 16 second-chance points. Gran Canaria actually won the battle of the boards in Game 2 33-33, allowing just 7 Bahcesehir offensive rebounds for 9 second-chance points. 

"It was a difficult game, just like all three games with Bahcesehir because it is a great team. We are very happy that we stayed alive in the series,” said Gran Canaria head coach Jaka Lakovic. 

Besides controlling the rebounding, Lakovic was also satisfied with his players’ mentality of not giving up. 

“They played a strong third quarter and even took the lead a couple of times but we never gave up even after they took the lead with 2 seconds to go. We kept believing,” Lakovic said referring to Bahcesehir taking the lead 66-68 with 2.0 seconds left on a [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) dunk. “The players executed a great play to finish the game. These things happen in basketball. We finished the game with a win.” 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🤪🤪 <a href="https://t.co/SoNp8sRKDz">pic.twitter.com/SoNp8sRKDz</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1905756778882633878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With the season on the line, Gran Canaria finished the game with a great play. Homesley came over from the far right side of the court, only to cut back to the basket, at which point [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/) delivered a perfect inbounds pass. Homesley caught it and was fouled as he hit the layup. Homesley also made the bonus free throw for the win. 

“It’s always cool to win a game like that,” said [Mike Tobey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mike-tobey/008966/), who scored 11 points for Gran Canaria. “But the guys are locked in. They know we have one more game if we want to go to the finals.”

And toughness on the defensive glass will again be a big decider in the winner-take-all game.

Game News

The Spanish side allowed just 7 offensive rebounds to even its semifinal series with Bahcesehir

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2025-03-28T20:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid boosted its hopes of booking a spot in the EuroLeague postseason with a hard-fought 72-78 win at KK Crvena zvezda, after the home side’s valiant late fightback fell short in a dramatic finish.

Real Madrid held on for a valuable road win at Crvena Zvezda 

[Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) boosted its hopes of booking a spot in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague postseason with [a hard-fought 72-78 win at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-edges-closer-to-postseason-with-win-at-crvena-zvezda-72-78/), after the home side’s valiant late fightback fell short in a dramatic finish.

Having raced into an early 0-14 lead, Real stayed well ahead until the last few minutes, when Zvezda closed the gap to 72-74 with 46 seconds left on the clock and threw their raucous 20,000 home crowd into a complete frenzy.

The hosts were unable to turn the contest on its head, however, as Real kept its nerve from the foul line and ground out a much-needed win in the battle to stay in contention for a potential top-six finish.

The result left both teams at 18-14 among a pack of five outfits with an identical record in what is shaping up to be a most dramatic climax to the regular season. With 11th-placed Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in 12th lurking at 16-16, both sides need one win from the remaining two games to make sure of keeping their respective campaigns alive.

Big man [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) was named player of the game in a rugged and physical contest as he racked up 14 points and 10 boards, having taken full advantage of the injured [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/)’s absence as Zvezda’s center is sidelined with a foot injury.

Tavares acknowledged that Real was ultimately given a stern test of its credentials in a fervent atmosphere, as Zvezda’s relentless fans helped the hosts launch the late onslaught. 

“They have great fans and it’s tough to play here but we did what we had to do to win the game,” Tavares said in his postgame comments. “We led by 15 or more but they came back, and it’s normal because they were at home.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔝 <a href="https://twitter.com/waltertavares22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@waltertavares22</a> <br>👏 ¡Nuestro MVP del partido vs <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kkcrvenazvezda</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/autoheroespana?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@autoheroespana</a> <a href="https://t.co/cZlxy22vle">pic.twitter.com/cZlxy22vle</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1905733833942806665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Head coach Chus Mateo added: “This is why basketball is so beautiful. We were in control throughout the game but it’s not easy to last the course in this kind of environment and hence it’s a very good win on a very tough court.”

Zvezda was undone by awful shooting from all over, hitting 17 of 36 from inside and 8 of 38 from downtown, nullifying a staggering 44 boards, including 20 on offense. However, coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos had nothing but praise for his players, who never gave up and nearly completed what would have been a stunning comeback.

“We fought really hard and I can only say good things about my players for their effort,” the Greek tactician said. “We missed so many open shots and layups but it was the burning desire to win the game that made us lose our focus. The fightback was exceptional though and I want to congratulate my team.”

In the final two rounds, Zvezda is at home to Anadolu EFes Istanbul before visiting defending champs Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, while Real entertains Paris Basketball and then closes out the regular season at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

The visitors almost blew a big lead after being in control throughout a rugged contest 

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Real Madrid (2025-03-28T19:00:00.000Z)

In Riga, Anadolu Efes guard Elijah Bryant inspired his team to a victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv BC.

Elijah Bryant came to Efes's rescue against Maccabi

With three minutes left in the third quarter, things in Riga, Latvia, did not look good for [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/). Down 53-63 and having just allowed Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv to go on a 3-17 spurt in the opening seven minutes of the third quarter, Efes needed a major spark to get back in the game against an opponent that was clicking on all cylinders offensively.

Enter [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/).

Having scored 9 points up to that point, Bryant hit a step-back three-pointer over [Roman Sorkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/roman-sorkin/011219/), then 60 seconds later added a mid-range jumper with the shot-clock expiring to cut the deficit to 58-65. After a pair of dunks by [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/), one assisted by Bryant, the third quarter finished with a last-second triple from Bryant to restore Efes’s lead, 66-65.

Elijah Bryant (25 points) vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Elijah Bryant's highlights vs. Maccabi

Bryant continued his run in the fourth. After 55 seconds of play, he hit another three-point shot over Sorkin, then followed it up with a mid-range jumper before adding another triple to give Efes a 74-71 lead.

“I was just trying to stay in the next-play mentality, regardless of the score,” Bryant said in a [EuroLeagueTV](https://tv.euroleague.net/) interview after the game. “To take every possession seriously because this was a big game for us. To take one possession at the time, and we got the win.”

The game was far from over and it continued to be a back-and-forth battle until the final seconds, but Bryant single-handedly brought Efes back into the game. He scored 16 points in a 21-8 run for his team to restore control.

“Elijah did a great job to lift the teammates in such a specific moment, then [Shane \[Larkin\]](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/), and [Darius \[Thompson\]](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) and D.O. \[[Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/)\] did excellent”, Efes head coach Luca Banchi said.

Bryant did not score another basket until the very end but he did come up with a clutch play, this time on the defensive end.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🔥 MODE ON <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhereIStand?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhereIStand</a> <a href="https://t.co/K0boO6cKoE">pic.twitter.com/K0boO6cKoE</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1905708397863096803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After [Rodrigue Beaubois](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rodrigue-beaubois/006590/) split free throws with 10.7 seconds to go to make it 89-88, the ball went to inspired Maccabi guard [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/), who had scored 19 points on the night. Jokubaitis started to penetrate to the rim, but Bryant was there to punch the ball out of Jokubaitis’s hands. Larkin grabbed the loose ball, securing Efes a sixth straight win and a place in the postseason.

In addition to scoring 25 points, Bryant also had team highs with 6 assists and 3 steals.

“Maccabi gave some choices to him and Shane, gave them possibility to distribute, not only to finish. And they were excellent,” Banchi said as he praised Bryant and Larkin, the latter of whom finished with 11 points and 4 steals.

“We know we have a great roster, that we have many resources in our arsenal. Even in the worst moment, we continue to play. The last 15 minutes are our reward for our sacrifice on the court."

Efes will, at the very least, participate in the EuroLeague Play-In Showdown, but its chances to finish the regular season as one of the top six teams are alive and kicking.

The veteran guard scored 16 points in a five-minute span to rally Efes

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2025-03-28T17:30:00.000Z)

CB Gran Canaria’s dreams of the BKT EuroCup Finals are still alive after Caleb Homesley’s three-point play with 1.1 seconds left gave the Spanish side a thrilling 69-68 victory over Bahcesehir College Istanbul. 

Gran Canaria still alive after 69-68 win over Bahcesehir thanks to Homesley heroics

Dreamland Gran Canaria’s dreams of the BKT EuroCup Finals are still alive after Caleb Homesley’s three-point play with 1.1 seconds left gave the Spanish side a thrilling 69-68 victory over Bahcesehir College Istanbul. The home victory evened the semifinal series at 1-1 and means Game 3 will be played in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Nico Brussino scored 18 points and delivered the pass to Homesley on the game-winner, while Mike Tobey had 11 points and 8 rebounds and Homesley finished with 6 points, all of which came in the fourth quarter for the 2023 EuroCup champion.

Bahcesehir thought it had a series sweep when Marko Simonovic threw down a dunk with 2.0 seconds to play. But the Turkish club will need one more home victory to reach the finals. Furkan Korkmaz scored 12 points and Simonovic and Mateusz Ponitka both added 10 points in the loss.

Game Videos

Bahcesehir struggled to find its rhythm on offense early on, hitting just 1 of 6 shots, while Gran Canaria regularly got to the basket for a 9-2 lead after four minutes. Bahcesehir finally started scoring and evened the game at 12-12 before pulling ahead for the first time at 15-16. Gran Canaria responded and was ahead 22-18, then finished the first quarter up 24-21. 

Joe Thomasson scored the first basket of the second quarter for a five-point gap, which the guests responded to with a 3-9 spurt as Korkmaz picked up five points to put them back up 29-30. Tobey stepped up for Gran Canaria with seven points to move ahead 41-34, and the hosts were leading 41-36 at the break.

Gran Canaria three times pushed the advantage to seven points, only to be answered by Bahcesehir. The hosts finally set a new game-high lead of eight points, 50-42, with four minutes left in the third quarter. Back-to-back three-pointers from Korkmaz and Kenan Sipahi had Bahcesehir as close as 50-48. And the score was 52-50 at the end of 30 minutes,

Bahcesehir needed more than two minutes to get onto the scoring board, but it prevented Gran Canaria from pulling away as the hosts led just 53-50. And back-to-back triples from Ponitka had the Turkish side up 55-57. Bahcesehir was feeling good with a 57-61 advantage, but Brussino converted a three-point play and hit a triple as Gran Canaria was back up 63-61 with four minutes left. CJ Massinburg responded with a triple at the other end before three Gran Canaria free throws made it 66-64. After two Simonovic free throws to tie the game, it looked like Simonovic had won the game with a dunk with 2.0 seconds to play. But Brussino sent the inbounds pass to a cutting Homesley, who converted the layup and hit the game-winning bonus free throw with 1.1 seconds remaining.

The 2023 EuroCup champion prevail in a defensive thriller

Fenerbahce Beko's bench players stepped up in Round 32 as the Turkish team went top of the EuroLeague standings with a win over Baskonia.

Roster depth helped Fenerbahce rise to first the standings

Double-round weeks are often energy-draining, especially taking into account that every game matters in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. And when the first of the two duels is a rollercoaster of a game like [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/)’s [clash against Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nigel-hayes-davis-the-hero-as-fenerbahce-beats-paris-101-100-to-make-playoffs/) on Tuesday night, coaches need to get help from the bench players in order to clinch back-to-back wins.

The Turkish side needed a [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) buzzer-beating triple to down Paris at home, with their starters scoring 65 of the team’s 101 points on the night. The Fenerbahce forward may have not slowed down [on Friday against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-downs-baskonia-to-move-top-of-the-standings-82-77/), but this time it was his team’s depth that made the difference.

Fenerbahce’s bench both outscored (47-35) and out-assisted the starters (10-3), providing the team with much-needed energy on the floor. Seven players netted at least 4 points each off the bench, while [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) and [Dyshawn Pierre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dyshawn-pierre/010560/) protected the boards with 9 and 8 rebounds, respectively, with [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) recording a team-high 5 assists.

More importantly, they covered for Hayes-Davis and [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/), both of whom were in foul trouble in the closing quarter.

Meanwhile, with [Jilson Bango](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jilson-bango/013696/) and [Khem Birch](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/khem-birch/007182/) both missing out, Melli and [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/) were the only two available bigs for Saras Jasikevicius. When they picked up 2 and 3 fouls, respectively, it was time for [Metecan Birsen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/metecan-birsen/003091/) to step up off the bench. Birsen had played just over one and a half minutes all season heading into Friday’s clash, but his contribution was significant on Friday evening, pairing 4 points with 3 rebounds in 5:19 on the floor.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Bizimkiler! 💛💙<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/ba65Kdvll7">pic.twitter.com/ba65Kdvll7</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1905719552300011774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Fenerbahce completed the double-round week with two straight home wins, moving atop the standings by overtaking Olympiacos Piraeus due to its superior head-to-head record. With two games remaining, the Turkish side need another two wins to clinch the top seed in the playoffs.

“The mentality \[for the last two games\] will be the same,” Jasikevicius told EuroLeague TV after the game. “We go out, trying to win the game. It’s not only going to the playoffs. It’s going to the EuroLeague Playoffs playing good basketball. And we need to go play EuroLeague playoff basketball, which is one level higher from what we’re doing right now.”

For the time being, Fenerbahce can celebrate that it has mathematically secured home-court advantage heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, its roster depth will allow it to dream big this season.

The team's bench outscored and out-assisted the starters

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2025-03-28T17:45:00.000Z)

Only 48 hours after being held to a club-record low 52 points in a 36-point defeat against KK Crvena zvezda, Virtus Bologna bounced back in historic fashion by beating ALBA Berlin 64-108 on Friday night.

Virtus set all-time marks in 44-point win at ALBA

Only 48 hours after being held to a club-record low 52 points in a 36-point defeat against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, [Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/) bounced back in historic fashion by [beating ALBA Berlin 64-108](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/virtus-thrashes-alba-64-108/) on Friday night.

It was a dominant performance that saw Virtus set a club record with 35 assists and 31 two-point shots made. But that was only one part of the story on a record-breaking night.

The 44-point margin is Virtus's biggest victory in a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game this century and the fourth-largest win by a road team. A couple of times in the fourth quarter, Virtus held a 51-point margin, which would have tied the largest road win in competition history, but ALBA scored six points in the final minute to prevent Virtus from setting a new record.

What was remarkable was the first half, with Virtus having scored 62 points, 10 more than it managed in Belgrade. Dusko Ivanovic’s team needed 17 minutes and six seconds to score 52 points, after scoring that many in 40 minutes just 48 hours earlier.

Moreover, a 29-point lead (33-62) was the biggest halftime lead by Virtus in a road game and the second-largest halftime lead by a road team in a EuroLeague game this century. And Virtus holding a 44-87 lead after 30 minutes marked the largest margin a road team had held after three quarters in competition history.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">La Virtus vince a Berlino 👊🏼 <a href="https://t.co/eNMWUtypmJ">pic.twitter.com/eNMWUtypmJ</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1905723375038894188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Among other records, this was the first time Virtus scored more than 100 points in a road game and it was the second-most points the team scored in a game, only behind the 113 it poured in against Estudiantes in the inaugural EuroLeague season 25 years ago.

Virtus might have been eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, and was embarrassed in Belgrade earlier this week, but it certainly found a way to bounce back in memorable fashion.

Dusko Ivanovic's side snapped a nine-game losing streak in memorable fashion

ALBA Berlin v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-03-28T19:00:00.000Z)

Tadas Sedekerskis with a steal on defense and a dish for a Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot slam on the other end – and one!

TLC slams it home in transition! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night

Johnathan Motley bounced back from a difficult night in Game 1 by shining in Game 2 of Hapoel Tel Aviv BC's semifinal series with Valencia Basket.

Johnathan Motley showed out in Game 2 to keep Hapoel Tel Aviv alive

When [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) travelled to Spain to take on [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) in Game 1 of the 2025 BKT EuroCup Semifinals, much was expected of [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/).

In the absence of fellow big man [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/), Motley and Hapoel ended up falling to [a 91-82 defeat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-outlasts-hapoel-at-home-91-82/) to open the series. That night, the 29-year-old Motley had 12 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. But in Game 2, it was a very different picture.

Back in the Bulgarian town of Samokov, Hapoel’s temporary home this season, Motley – roared on by a couple of thousand fans inside the arena – responded in style by posting 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block as the Israeli side grabbed [a 96-91 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-tel-aviv-forces-game-3-with-96-91-win-over-valencia/) to take the series back to Valencia for a Game 3 next week.

The Valencia players struggled to cope with Motley from the off, with the former Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul big man combining excellently with [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/), his ex-teammate at Fenerbahce and the orchestrator of Hapoel’s offense. Madar, it’s worth noting, had a fantastic game with 21 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals.

“AB ([Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/)) played well, Yam always plays well, so I just tried to help. We’re just going to keep trying to do the same thing,” Motley humbly said afterward.

Motley knew himself that he didn’t play to his lofty standards in Game 1, but he was determined for that to not be the case in Game 2, as he showed.

“For me personally, I just wanted to be way more aggressive,” he explained. “The first game I was way too passive, so I just wanted to come out, shoot my shots and go down swinging. You can’t be so passive in a game like this.”

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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHwb1GBsFZH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHwb1GBsFZH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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Most of his production came in the first half as he sat on 17 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist at the interval, and a similar type of start at La Fonteta in Game 3 would certainly give Hapoel plenty of confidence about reaching the EuroCup Finals.

Until then, Motley and co. will be resting up and preparing for the battle that awaits in Valencia.

The American center bounced back from a difficult night in Game 1

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Valencia Basket (2025-03-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Dreamland Gran Canaria-Bahcesehir College Istanbul | SF Game 2 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup   

ALBA Berlin-Virtus Segafredo Bologna | RS Round 32 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Two of the leading contenders to become the EuroLeague MVP, Kendrick Nunn and TJ Shorts, served up a memorable duel on Friday night.

TJ Shorts outshined Kendrick Nunn in MVP-flavored battle

It’s not long before we find out which star of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague will be named this season’s Most Valuable Player, and two of the leading contenders served up a memorable duel on Friday night.

For [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/), [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/). For [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/), [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/).

Both have delivered magnificent seasons, and both performed even beyond their usual standards to take center stage in a thrilling encounter in the Greek capital, coming agonizingly close to recording only the fifth triple-double in EuroLeague history.

Nunn and Shorts might have narrowly missed out on that accolade, but they still led their respective teams in scoring, assists, rebounds and PIR to thoroughly enhance their MVP credentials – and perhaps leave [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) forward [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/), the other main contender, wondering whether the prize might not come his way after all.

Nunn paced Panathinaikos with 22 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds, while Shorts was even more impressive as he powered [Paris’s thrilling 98-101 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/paris-stuns-panathinaikos-in-thriller-98-101/) with 20 points, 14 assists and 9 boards.

Of course, individual numbers matter less to elite performers than victories, but Shorts had to admit he would have liked to claim the elusive triple-double. “That hurts a little bit!” he laughed, when informed live on EuroLeague TV that he had fallen just short of the milestone.

“I guess I couldn’t find more rebounds, but I’m out there trying to do whatever I can for my team. Today it was scoring, assisting, playmaking, it doesn’t matter, I’m just trying to help win.”

Trying to help win? Shorts certainly did that, and his season has by no means finished yet. Paris is now locked in a five-way tie for sixth place, and will travel to face one of those other teams – [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/), no less – in Round 33.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">It’s a sweep against the champ 🧹<br><br>WHAT A TEAM PERFORMANCE TONIGHT ‼️<br><br>On se retrouve dimanche à la maison en famille pour bien finir la semaine <br><br>🖤❤️💙 <a href="https://t.co/zBp0K5sjLb">pic.twitter.com/zBp0K5sjLb</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1905732100000780432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Shorts is already looking ahead to that challenge and fully grasps the importance of his team’s win over Panathinaikos, stating: “We’re coming down to the end of the season where every game matters. Everybody knows what the standings look like, it’s posted everywhere, and to win like this against the champs in an environment like this, it’s a huge win to boost us to keep fighting.

“We will never quit. We lost the last one against Fenerbahce in a heartbreaking way, and for us to be able to respond like this two days later is huge. It just shows the fight within our team, our coaching staff, everybody within Paris Basketball to keep fighting and try to do something at the end of the season.”

That’s for sure. But the question is: exactly when and how will Paris’s season end?

The two guards put on a clinic at OAKA on Friday night

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Paris Basketball (2025-03-28T19:15:00.000Z)

Homesley keeps Gran Canaria alive! Magic Moment of the Night

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-Real Madrid | RS Round 32 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Paris Basketball | RS Round 32 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Odiase stretches for big alley-oop! Magic Moment

## Friday, March 28

### [Anadolu Efes Istanbul 90-88 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/anadolu-efes-istanbul-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2024/284/)

Efes rallied from a double-digit third-quarter deficit to pull out a dramatic 90-88 win over Maccabi in Riga, Latvia. It’s the sixth straight win for Efes, which improved to 18-14 and is sure of playing postseason basketball once again this season. Maccabi, meanwhile, dropped to a 10-22 record. Bryant finished with 25 points, Dan Oturu had 15 points and Shane Larkin poured in 11, while Vincent Poirier scored all of his 10 points in the first quarter. Roman Sorkin paced Maccabi with 22 points, Jokubaitis had 19, and Jake Cohen and Levi Randolph scored 10 apiece in the loss.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">💪 Hedefe doğru adım adım!<br>Anadolu Efes 90 - 88 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Maç Sonucu<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/Lc9A9yNydN">pic.twitter.com/Lc9A9yNydN</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1905705741107048947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 82-77 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2024/285/)

Fenerbahce climbed to the top of the standings and clinched home-court advantage in the EuroLeague Playoffs by defeating Baskonia 82-77 at Ulker Sports And Event Hall on Friday evening. Fenerbahce improved its record to 22-10, overtaking Olympiacos Piraeus in the table due to its superior head-to-head advantage. Meanwhile, Baskonia suffered its second straight loss in Türkiye this week as it dropped to 13-19. Nigel Hayes-Davis led all scorers with 17 points and Wade Baldwin netted 11, while Devon Hall and Marko Guduric scored 10 each. Nikos Rogkavopoulos paced Baskonia with 14 points and Chima Moneke bagged 12, with Trent Forrest recording a double-double of 12 points and 12 assists.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">LİDER! 👑<br><br>Çift maç haftasını 2&#39;de 2 ile tamamlıyor, normal sezonun bitimine iki hafta kala ev sahibi avantajını garantiliyoruz! 💪<br><br>Tebrikler Fenerbahçe Beko! 👏<br><br>Maç Sonucu | Fenerbahçe Beko 🆚 Baskonia: 82-77<br><br>Skor dağılımımız: Hayes-Davis 17, Baldwin 11, Hall 10, Guduric 10,… <a href="https://t.co/xJNfI8T8Vx">pic.twitter.com/xJNfI8T8Vx</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1905708690667352511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 72-78 Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-real-madrid/E2024/287/)

\--

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">🏁 FP: <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kkcrvenazvezda</a> 72 - 78 <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a><a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> <a href="https://t.co/O3X8hVmSct">pic.twitter.com/O3X8hVmSct</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1905728772894335427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [ALBA Berlin 64-108 Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/alba-berlin-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2024/286/)

Virtus bounced back from its biggest loss of the season with a resounding performance on Friday night as it thrashed ALBA 64-108 in the German capital. Virtus, which never trailed in this game, improved to 8-24, while ALBA dropped to a 5-26 record. Virtus had six double-digit scorers, with Achille Polonara scoring 16 points, Toko Shengelia 15 and Will Clyburn 14. Ante Zizic had 13 points, Alessandro Pajola paired 11 points with 8 assists, and Marco Belinelli netted 10 points in the win. Matt Thomas was the only ALBA scorer in double digits with 11 points.

### [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 98-101 Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-paris-basketball/E2024/288/)

\--

## Thursday, March 27

### [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 88-79 Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-zalgiris-kaunas/E2024/280/)

ASVEL completed a perfect double-round week by fighting off Zalgiris at home. After beating Olympiacos at home on Tuesday, ASVEL shot 44.4 percent on three-pointers and forced 20 Zalgiris turnovers as it improved to 13-19 on the season. Theo Maledon led the way with 19 points and 6 assists while Nando De Colo had 16 points. Zalgiris came into the game having lost at Monaco earlier in the week in overtime and now has dropped three straight games and four of the last five for a 14-18 record. Sylvain Francisco collected 19 points and 8 assists in defeat. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Asvel with back to back home wins at home! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/u9QTHofBOt">pic.twitter.com/u9QTHofBOt</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1905364801234088329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Olympiacos Piraeus 77-80 AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/olympiacos-piraeus-as-monaco/E2024/281/#boxscore)

Monaco secured a spot in the top 10 with a hard-fought road win at Olympiacos, condemning the Reds to a third straight loss. Monaco improved to 20-12 and will now target a top-six finish, while Olympiacos dropped to 22-10. Monaco controlled the opening stages but Olympiacos responded during a low-scoring second quarter to lead 37-35 at the halftime. The second half was tight until the visitors dominated the closing stages to seal a big win. Mike James guided Monaco with a double-double of 11 points and 12 assists, while Jaron Blossomgame top-scored with a career-high 18 points. Sasha Vezenkov paced Olympiacos with 21 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🔥 La <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> s&#39;impose au Pirée face au leader Olympiakos ! 😤<br><br>🧨 Très, très grosse victoire sur cette fin de saison 🦾<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DagheMunegu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DagheMunegu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/9b2k2oXBW8">pic.twitter.com/9b2k2oXBW8</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1905369619889631317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [FC Bayern Munich 89-74 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fc-bayern-munich-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2024/283/)

Bayern punched its postseason ticket with two games to spare after improving to 19-13 with an impressive home win over Partizan on the back of a game-high 25 points from guard Carsen Edwards. Captain Vladimir Lucic and Andy Obst added 11 points apiece for Bayern, which rallied from a 42-44 halftime deficit to prevail thanks to an effervescent fourth quarter which the home team won 24-11. Carlik Jones paced Partizan with 19 points and 10 assists.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <a href="https://t.co/cj8NnAQwS9">pic.twitter.com/cj8NnAQwS9</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1905371733458104505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 88-98 FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-fc-barcelona/E2024/282/#boxscore)

Barcelona took another step toward reaching the postseason by downing Milan at Unipol Forum in Round 32. Barca improved to 18-14 in the standings while Milan dropped to 16-16 to remain one win behind the Play-In Showdown spots. Dario Brizuela led the winners with 27 points, which matched his career-high, and Kevin Punter added 25. Nikola Mirotic paced Milan with 28 points and 9 rebounds. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">VICTÒRIA CLAU!!! SEGUIM!! <a href="https://t.co/yyxkxHVsb1">pic.twitter.com/yyxkxHVsb1</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1905374204494491931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bayern and Monaco both clinched postseason berths on Thursday

Game Center: Paris, Madrid, Virtus steal road wins; Efes, Fener triumph at home

A battle of last season’s champions saw EuroCup king Paris Basketball triumph 98-101 on the road at EuroLeague titleholder Panathinaikos BC in a memorable thriller. 

Paris stuns Panathinaikos in thriller, 98-101

A battle of last season’s champions saw BKT EuroCup king Paris Basketball triumph 98-101 on the road at Turkish Airlines EuroLeague titleholder Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in a memorable thriller. The French team improved to 18-14 for a share of sixth place, while the Greens are joint third at 20-12.

Paris dominated the first half with outstanding three-point shooting and led 48-56 at halftime. The advantage grew to 17 points by the end of the third, and although Panathinaikos tried to fight back it wasn’t enough as Juancho Hernangomez couldn’t make a triple to force overtime at the final buzzer.

TJ Shorts inspired Paris with 20 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds, while Tyson Ward scored 17, Mikael Jantunen added 14 and Nadir Hifi netted 13. Leo Cavaliere (11) and Sebastian Herrera (10) also scored in double digits. Kendrick Nunn powered Panathinaikos with 22 points, 9 assists and 8 boards, while Kostas Sloukas had 20 points and 7 assists, and Hernangomez posted 10 points with 8 assists.

Ward, Hernagomez and Jantunen all hit early triples, and Wenyen Gabriel’s dunk made it 5-6. Panagiotis Kalaitzakis gave the hosts their first lead with a three-point play, but Bandja Sy struck from deep before Cavaliere, Yakuba Ouattara and Hifi all netted at the rim to send Paris ahead, 11-17. Lorenzo Brown responded with five fast points, but Hifi, Collin Malcolm and Shorts kept Paris in front before Ward hit a triple for an 18-28 lead. Herrera added another three-ball, and it was 23-33 after 10 minutes.

Sloukas and Cavaliere traded inside baskets before Herrera’s triple made it 25-38. Nunn scored two quick baskets but Paris kept on firing from deep through Jantunen and Hifi. Sloukas scored 7 points in a row to pull Panathinaikos back to 42-44, but Hifi and Ward were again accurate from long range. Grant and Shorts traded inside scores before Sloukas and Ward exchanged three-pointers and free throws made it 48-56 at the interval.

Paris’s long-range barrage continued early in the third through Herrera, then a long two from Shorts made it 50-63. Ward netted inside, Grant and Shorts traded triples, and the unstoppable Shorts added a three-point play for a 55-71 advantage. Nunn followed a three-ball with a layup before Cavaliere and Sloukas exchanged three-pointers. Nunn’s floater briefly reduced the deficit to single digits, but Ward and Shorts appeared again, and Cavaliere made it 69-86 with ten minutes left.

Triples from Nunn and Cedi Osman to start the final period gave Panathinaikos hope, and Nunn added a floater to force a Paris timeout at 77-86. Osman’s free throws completed a 10-0 run, which Shorts snapped with a driving layup. Sloukas’s three-ball was answered by Jantunen before Nunn, Hernangomez and Grant kept the home team’s momentum. It was 88-93 with 4 minutes left and Hifi added a three-pointer before free throws made it 90-98. Three-pointers from Osman and Hernangomez kept the hosts alive, but Jantunen scored free throws and Hernangomez’s prayer couldn’t force overtime at the final buzzer.

The reigning champ saw a 10-game home winning streak ended by an electric Paris performance