Fantasy tips, play-in: How to fill your bench

Here are Javier Gancedo's recommendations for this week's games in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge.

A new stage will debut in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this week: the Play-In Showdown! On Tuesday, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz face off for seventh place. Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Virtus Segafredo Bologna meet in a clash in which only the winner survives. On Friday, there will be a do-or-die showdown for eighth place.

There are only four teams available to choose from in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, so instead of going for the obvious superstars like Wade Baldwin, Shane Larkin, Toko Shengelia or Chima Moneke, I am recommending players who can help you to a better result, complementing the bigger names in the play-in. Here they are.

Matt Costello, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (9.8 credits)

Fully established as his team's first choice as center, Costello keeps rolling and is in a sweet moment. In the last two games, he averaged 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and a PIR of 17.5. He had a PIR of 23 in less than 20 minutes in the Spanish League this weekend. In other words, Costello has become a must-have player this week.

Dan Oturu, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (9.7 credits)

Oturu finished the regular season with a bang, getting 13 points, 6 rebounds and a PIR of 24 in 19 minutes against Zvezda. Despite averaging less than 16 minutes per night, Oturu has posted solid numbers: 7.4 points on 70.2% two-point shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and a PIR of 9.5. He replaced Zizic and will have a lot of say.

Iffe Lundberg, Virtus Segafredo Bologna (8.3 credits)

Virtus played a critical game against Baskonia in Round 34 and despite his team's loss, Lundberg showed his best version: 18 points, 5 rebounds and a PIR of 22. On a team full of experienced players like Toko Shengelia, Marco Belinelli and Daniel Hackett, Lundberg stands out due to his character and one-on-one skills. Expect good things from him again.

Tamir Blatt, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (7.0 credits)

John DiBartolomeo looks probable to play after missing time with a shoulder injury, but I still think Blatt will play well and be his team's first option as backup point guard. Remember, there is only one turn in Fantasy on Tuesday and Friday. Blatt could be a good backup player who allows you to afford the best players in this phase and still gives you a good score.

Ante Zizic, Virtus Segafredo Bologna (6.4 credits)

Zizic started the 2023-24 season with Efes and did not get much playing time. All of a sudden, he goes against his former team in a do-or-die game. It is a perfect situation for Zizic and he should make the most of it.