Serge Ibaka produced an MVP-of-the-game performance on Thursday night to lead FC Bayern Munich to a 90-76 home victory over Virtus Segafredo Bologna. 

Ibaka set several career-highs in Bayern’s comeback win over Virtus

Serge Ibaka produced an MVP-of-the-game performance on Thursday night to lead FC Bayern Munich to a 90-76 home victory over Virtus Segafredo Bologna. The experienced center recorded career highs in points (24), rebounds (13) and PIR (34), allowing Bayern to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

The German side struggled in the first quarter, where it was outscored 20-28, with Ibaka getting just 4 points. Yet, the Bayern center grew into the game, netted 11 points in the second quarter, and helped the hosts make it a one-possession game, 44-46, heading into the second half.

This is when Bayern bounced back, took the lead for the first time (56-53) since early in the first quarter and finally turned the game around. Ibaka played a key role in Bayern maintaining its lead by dominating in the paint and ending the third quarter with 20 points and 5 offensive rebounds.

Serge Ibaka was a force for Bayern against Virtus

“I think that as a team we did a great job,” Ibaka said after the game. “We started a bit slow in the beginning, but we kept trusting in each other to play the right way. In the second half, we tried to bring intensity on defense and that’s why we got the win.”

Bayern took a narrow 70-66 lead into the last quarter, with players such as Sylvain Francisco and Danko Brankovic stepping up to finish the game off. The former scored 7 of his 13 points in the last 8 minutes of the game. His triple with 5:44 left on the clock gave Bayern its first double-digit lead of the game, 81-71, and dealt a major blow to Virtus, which led by 14 points (23-37) midway through the second quarter.

“It was kind of tough in the first half, but in the second half we had to play hard, especially on defense to make them get hard plays and shots,” Francisco noted. “That’s what we did and we ran a lot. We had to not let them play their game at their pace and play a lot harder on defense and keep fighting.”

Game Videos

Ibaka shined and Francisco stepped up when his team needed him the most, but it was Brankovic who received an ovation from the home crowd. The 23-year-old center finished the game with 7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 drawn fouls, 2 steals and 2 blocks for a career-high PIR of 15. Most importantly, he offered Bayern 15:10 quality minutes on the floor and allowed head coach Pablo Laso to give Ibaka some rest.

“Danko was very good,” Laso said in the post-game press conference. “He gave us a lot from the bench. He was able to play good defense and understood what we needed. He was making shots, making free throws. I think that the way Danko was able to step up on that moment was probably a very important part of the victory.”

After recording its fifth win of the season, Bayern (5-6) will look to build on its momentum heading into the upcoming double-round week. The German side will host EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on Tuesday before traveling to Greece, where they will face Olympiacos Piraeus on Friday.

Game News

The veteran big man recorded career highs in points (24), rebounds (13) and PIR (34) against Virtus. 

Serge Ibaka set several career-highs in Bayern’s comeback win

FC Bayern Munich v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2023-11-30T19:30:00.000Z)

Cardiac Partizan rode 'incredible fight' in comeback win

Things did not look very bright for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade as the minutes were ticking away in the fourth quarter on Thursday night. In a jam-packed Stark Arena, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens scored the first 8 points of the fourth quarter to open a 10-point lead, and the Greens led 63-73 as the game entered the final 4 minutes of regulation.

Until then, Partizan fans' favorite Mathias Lessort, now in a Panathinaikos jersey, had a dunking show, Kendrick Nunn was hot and Dinos Mitoglou was doing his usual part.

Partizan, which entered the game averaging 87.0 points, was at only 63 points at that point. However, the hosts scored 15 more before the end of regulation and 14 more in the extra session to pull out this win.

"10 points down, we found energy thanks to our fans and thanks to players who really fought until last moment", Coach Zeljko Obradovic said, adding. "Players showed an incredible, incredible fight."

It was an intense game, where every play counted all the way. And down the stretch, behind that 'incredible fight' it was Partizan players who made all the plays.

First, late in the fourth quarter, PJ Dozier hit a tough three-pointer, before Punter strung together a layup and a triple to cut it to 76-78 with 1:20 left. Punter's runner tied it in the final minute, then had the ball to win it in regulation, but was stripped and the hosts ended up lucky the game went into overtime as Grigonis made a would-be game-winning triple after the time expired.

In the extra session, Bruno Caboclo had a put-back dunk and delivered 2 blocks as Partizan players performed on the defensive end as their lived depended on it. Offensively, Dozier and Punter fueled an 8-0 run that made it 88-80, and when Panathinaikos made its own run, a Punter-to-Zach LeDay alley-oop sealed the deal, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

It was a cardiac ending, but that crowd and everybody watching Partizan this season already should have gotten used to those.

This is Partizan's second overtime game, after losing 98-94 in Piraeus against Olympiacos back in Round 4. The following week, Partizan rallied from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Zvezda 88-86, followed by squandering a fourth-quarter lead to lose on the road against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 84-83. In Round 7, Partizan rallied on home floor to edge Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 85-84.

That makes five of its last eight games being decided either in overtime, or by 2 or fewer points in regulation.

This one, however, might have been the most impressive of them all.

It was another close game for Coach Obradovic's charges and this one might have been the most impressive. 

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2023-11-30T19:45:00.000Z)

Roland Smits carried Zalgiris Kaunas when the chips were down against Milan in Round 11. 

Rolands Smits proved his worth at crunch time as Zalgiris blew Milan away

Zalgiris Kaunas captain Edgaras Ulanovas was the star of his team's resounding 70-83 win at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, having paced the Lithuanian champs with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Ulanovas netted 11 points in a low-scoring opening period, which Milan won 19-18, while guard Keenan Evans shined throughout the contest to finish on 19 points and 4 assists, but forward Roland Smits carried the visiting team when the chips were down.

The versatile Latvian opened the second half with a slam-dunk and followed up with a barrage of three-pointers, sinking 4 of 5 shots from downtown and most of them came when Milan was on the verge of swinging the momentum.

Smits, who also posted 2 rebounds and as many steals, finished the game just 4 points shy of hitting a milestone 1,000 mark in his EuroLeague career, providing the impetus Zalgiris so badly needed to get back to winning ways after a rough patch.

Rolands Smits highlights against Milan

The Lithuanian champs had lost five of their last six and head coach Kazys Maksvytis left no room for doubt just how much strength and character it took for his players to stay strong in the face of adversity.

“It’s easy to lose confidence and the team spirit when you lose several games in a row, but with each defeat they became stronger,” Maksvytis said in a post-game interview. “We played with big motivation today,” he added.

Ulanovas echoed his coach’s views. “We knew Milan are a very good defensive team but this season with such talents as Shields and Mirotic in their ranks, they are even more dangerous offensively,” he said. “We did a great job defensively and we showed great unity as a team. We played great today but we need to be ready for the next one.”

Evans said he believes the victory could be a turning point as Zalgiris revived its hopes of reaching the postseason. “This is a big win for us,” he said. “Milan made their runs but we stayed with them in each quarter and we stayed together as a team. We’ve been struggling lately and this kind of win gives you momentum.”

Milan head coach Ettore Messina conceded that his men were outplayed in all departments, particularly in long-range shooting and sharing the ball as Zalgiris dished out 16 assists, 5 more than the home team.

“This is a tough loss for us. We suffered on offense as we had only 11 assists and we failed to match their aggressive approach,” Messina told the post-game press conference. “We never created enough advantage while moving the ball and we suffered all game when they attacked our big men and forwards.”

Both teams face German rivals in Round 12 as Zalgiris visits the competition’s bottom team ALBA Berlin, while Milan is away to FC Bayern Munich.

The Latvian forward impressed with a blistering second-half performance for the visitors.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-11-30T19:30:00.000Z)

Rafi Menco – in his second season with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and making his 38th appearance in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague – had a performance that may well give head coach Oded Kattash some food for thought in the coming weeks. 

Menco’s career night propelled Maccabi 

A bunch of the usual suspects took center stage as Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv bounced back from a 29-point mauling against Real Madrid by downing ALBA Berlin 102-81 (meaning they enjoyed a 50-point swing in the space of two days) in Belgrade on Thursday. 

Wade Baldwin, getting very much back to his best after missing the start of the season through injury, topped the winning team’s scorers with 18 points and also dished 6 assists – as did his backcourt running mate, Lorenzo Brown. 

Another key role was taken by Bonzie Colson with 17 points, while Roman Sorkin stepped up in the paint in the absence of Josh Nebo, scoring 10 points and adding 2 blocked shots. 

But there was also a central role for one less familiar figure. [Rafi Menco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rafi-menco/004233/) came into the game averaging just 0.9 points, with no more than nine minutes played, two baskets scored or 2 rebounds taken in any of his previous seven appearances of the campaign. 

Rafi Menco sets his EuroLeague career-high 

On Thursday night, the 29-year-old forward – in his second season with the club and making his 38th appearance in the competition – blew all those statistics out of the water with a performance that may well give head coach Oded Kattash some food for thought in the coming weeks. 

Menco started as he meant to continue, knocking down a trio of three-pointers in just 99 seconds at the end of the first quarter, sending Maccabi into a double-digit lead for the first time and clearing the path for a comfortable victory. And he wasn’t finished there, returning at regular intervals to give solid contributions all over the floor, adding a couple of two-point scores in the final period. 

That allowed Menco to finish the game with career highs in practically every statistical category: 22:16 minutes, 13 points, 5 rebounds and a PIR of 10 were all personal bests, as were his 3 triples scored and 4 defensive boards grabbed. 

"Rafi was good," said coach Kattash after the game. "It's not easy to be in his situation, but he got his chance and I'm so happy for him. He scored three triples in a row, helping us make our first run in the game." 

"It was important for us to get back to winning after what happened in the last game," said Menco. "When I am called to play, I try to do my best and I am glad it worked out today. I hope it will be like this in the future, too."

It remains to be seen whether Menco will use this performance as a springboard towards consistently becoming a key performer for Maccabi, but he certainly enjoyed his spell in the sun and can look ahead to next week’s double-header on the road at ASVEL and Virtus with self-belief boosted like never before. 

The Maccabi reserve scored 9 of his career-high 13 points in the first quarter.

Rafi Menco’s career night propelled Maccabi 

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v ALBA Berlin (2023-11-30T19:05:00.000Z)

Mike James came through in the clutch for AS Monaco and the star’s heroic performance late gave his team a hard-fought 85-77 victory over Olympiacos Piraeus as well as some revenge from last season’s Final Four loss.

Mike James came through in the clutch against Olympiacos 

Mike James came through in the clutch for AS Monaco and the star’s heroic performance late gave his team a hard-fought 85-77 victory over Olympiacos Piraeus as well as some revenge from last season’s Final Four loss.

James scored 10 of his 24 points in the final 3 minutes to spark a 12-4 close to the game as Monaco improved to 7-4.

“I was just trying not to force things and stay patient. They were keying in on me so I didn’t want to get into bad situations where I had to take tough shots. I was trying to wait and take shots I thought I could make where I was kind of open,” said James, who also dished out 6 assists.

James scored to make it 73-71 and then buried a three-pointer, split free throws, assisted on Donta Hall’s big dunk, converted 2 more foul shots and finished the scoring with 2 of 3 free throws to lock up the win.

Mike James highlights vs Olympiacos

“At the end of the game I was just trying to stay aggressive and it worked out,” said James, who topped 20 points for the fifth time this season.

Monaco as a team exorcised a bit of the demons of losing to Olympiacos 76-62 in the Final Four after leading by 12 points at halftime. Monaco also earned an important win in the fight for the playoffs as Olympiacos entered the game with an identical 6-4 record.

“Everything in EuroLeague is important. Especially after how we started. We had some ups and downs and had a bad week against \[Anadolu\] Efes and Madrid. Just trying to find a level of consistency and staying at that,” said James, referring to two straight wins since losing at home to Efes and at Real in the two-round week earlier this month.

James also made some history in the game as he registered a performance index rating of 28 to move to 4,188 points all-time, passing Vassilis Spanoulis’s PIR of 4,183 and into fourth place all-time in EuroLeague history.

James’s 2 steals also moved him into a tie for 13th place with James Gist on 252 steals.

Monaco's star guard scored 10 of his 24 points in the final 3 minutes to lift Monaco to victory.

AS Monaco v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-11-30T18:00:00.000Z)

KK Partizan came from behind to force overtime and beat Panathinaikos B.C. 92-87 in Round 11 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Partizan edges Panathinaikos, 92-87, in OT thriller

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The hosts erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime and beat the Greens. 

FC Bayern Munich Basketball erased a 14-point deficit to defeat Virtus Bologna 90-76 in Round 11 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Bayern rallies past Virtus, 90-76

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Serge Ibaka stood tall with a double-double to fuel Bayern. 

Yam Madar not only scored the winning basket to boost Fenerbahçe Basketball past Real Madrid Baloncesto, 100-99, but he also had a career-best night in scoring.

Yam Madar rose to the moment to help Fenerbahçe Basketball beat Real Madrid

There are not going to be many moments in [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yam-madar/011052/)’s career that will top what he achieved on Thursday evening. With Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul trailing 98-99 in the final seconds of overtime against the 10-0 Real Madrid, [the Israeli guard’s masterful layup to make it 100-99](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-fenerbahce-basketball-vs-real-madrid/) took the roof off Ulker Sports and Events Hall.

That was the first game-winner in Madar’s 48-game EuroLeague career, and what a time to do it: up against the reigning champion, which had not lost all season. Madar is still in the process of making a name for himself at Fenerbahce, following a summer move from Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, but he’s already earned himself a place in the hearts of many fans with his heroics against Real.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">VE O ANIN SONRASI! 😎💛💙<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/FxNGQ9VOau">https://t.co/FxNGQ9VOau</a> <a href="https://t.co/4vNUUTJemB">pic.twitter.com/4vNUUTJemB</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1730327341589541213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### A career-best night

The 22-year-old Madar finished the night with a personal high of 17 points, beating the 15 he scored on two occasions last season with Partizan. In fact, this was just the second time that he has reached double digits in points since arriving at Fenerbahce. In addition to his scoring outburst, Madar grabbed 1 rebound, dished 2 assists, grabbed 2 steals and committed zero turnovers.

Curiously, Madar didn’t see a single second on the floor during the first quarter as Real blew Fenerbahce away, 16-29, but it didn’t take long for the pestering guard to make an impact in the second. His steal early in the quarter led to a fastbreak and a couple of free throws for Scottie Wilbekin, before he went on to score 7 points as Fenerbahce kept it close, 36-42, approaching halftime.

Madar followed up his first-half performance with a couple of three-pointers in the third, as well as the quarter’s final bucket, but Fenerbahce still found itself 8 points down, 59-67. Nevertheless, through three quarters, Madar was leading his team with 15 points, in addition to having his 1 rebound, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Yam Madar had 17 points, including the game-winning basket, as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul beat Real Madrid 100-99 in overtime in Round 11 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Yam Madar's highlights vs. Real Madrid

### The shot

In the fourth quarter, Madar played just the first 2:26 and failed to make an impact, yet his teammates stepped up on this occasion by outscoring Real 28-20 to force an overtime period. And that is where Madar put the icing on the cake.

Miraculously, Madar entered the game with just 6 seconds ago due to his reputation as a steals specialist, with Real inbounding the ball from its end of the court. The Fenerbahce players pressurized Facundo Campazzo, who had a career night himself with 33 points, and he threw the ball to Marko Guduric. Perhaps it would have been easy for Guduric to shoot, but no.

Instead, he found the cutting Madar, who drove to the rim and sent a high-arching layup off the glass that went in, sending the crowd inside Ulker Sports and Events Hall into raptures.

It would be easy to talk himself up after playing the role of hero, but Madar instead kept it cool afterward: “I was just trying to see what I can do to get a basket. I knew we needed this basket to win, so I was just trying to get it.”

And get it he did. In just his second EuroLeague season, Madar showed on Thursday evening that he has what it takes to step up in the crucial moments, which can only be good news for Coach Itoudis.

More Fenerbahce News

Yam Madar of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul celebrates with his teammates after their win against Real Madrid in Round 11 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Israeli guard netted the game-winning shot on a career-best night.

Madar rose to the moment to help Fenerbahce beat Real Madrid

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Real Madrid (2023-11-30T17:45:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas beat Olimpia Milano 70-83 in the Fashion Capital in Round 11 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Ulanovas, Evans propel Zalgiris past Milan, 70-83

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The two combined for 39 points to lift the Lithuanian champs to a victory in the Fashion Capital. 

Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. dominated ALBA Berlin 102-81 in Round 11 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season to improve to 6-5. 

Maccabi rolls past ALBA, 102-81

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Wade Baldwin and Bonzie Colson combined for 35 points to lead the Israeli champs. 

AS Monaco Basket outlasted Olympiacos B.C. 85-77 at the principality in Round 11 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Monaco Basket beats Olympiacos B.C. 85-77 in semifinal rematch

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Mike James led the way for the winners with 24 points and 6 assists.

Monaco beats Olympiacos 85-77 in semifinal rematch

This week's action in the EuroLeague got underway with a dominant win for Real Madrid Baloncesto on Tuesday, with 10 games coming on Thursday and Friday, including a rematch from last season's semifinal. 

This week: Colossal tests among playoff-chasing teams

### Tuesday, November 28

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 70-99 Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-maccabi-tel-aviv-bc-vs-real-madrid-baloncesto/)

Reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Real Madrid stretched its perfect start to 10-0 with a comprehensive 70-99 mauling of Maccabi Tel Aviv in a lop-sided Round 6 contest, originally scheduled for earlier this month. Maccabi, who played as hosts in Belgrade's Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, dropped to 5-5 after losing the first quarter 21-36, having allowed the biggest score ever in a single quarter of a EuroLeague game.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔟ª victoria en la <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a>. ¡Seguimos sumando!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> <a href="https://t.co/6jXgU9rlba">pic.twitter.com/6jXgU9rlba</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1729605986619412664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Thursday, November 30

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-real-madrid/E2023/93/)

After sweeping aside Maccabi, 70-99, on Tuesday, Real (10-0) continues its own double-round week by travelling to face a Fenerbahce (5-5) team that has won all four games at home so far this season. Expect a highly physical battle in a game featuring the league's top three shot blockers, with Real's [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) (1.7 bpg.) followed by teammate [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) (1.6 bpg.) and Fener star [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) (1.4 bpg.). Real firecracker [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) is enjoying a very accurate season, making 60.5% of his two-point attempts and 44.4% from deep. On Thursday, he will face another player with explosive scoring potential, [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/), who will look to regain his best form after returning from injury in last week's loss at Virtus.

[AS Monaco vs. Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/91/)

In a rematch of last season's semifinal, a big showdown awaits between the teams currently placed fifth and sixth as Monaco (6-4) welcomes Olympiacos (6-4). The Reds are on a three-game winning run and boast the league's third-best defense, allowing just 75.5 points per game. Monaco snapped a losing streak in dramatic fashion thanks to [Jaron Blossomgame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jaron-blossomgame/011231/)'s game-winning putback dunk in Baskonia, where [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) again excelled with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. November MVP candidate [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) will test Monaco's perimeter defense after scoring at least two triples in each of his last four games, while the host also possesses plenty of long-range weapons including [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/), who has made 43.3% of three-point attempts this season including 2 of 3 at Baskonia last week.

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-alba-berlin/E2023/94/)

Maccabi (5-5) will play its second home game of the week in Belgrade with a visit from rock-bottom ALBA (1-9), which is still waiting for its first road win of the season. Although ALBA will be aware of [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/)'s role as Maccabi's main playmaker, the German team will also need to focus on its former player [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/), who ranks fifth in the league for assists with 5.4 per game. Although it has struggled in nearly every statistical category, ALBA does lead the league in steals, with [Gabriele Procida](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriele-procida/008384/) ranked third overall with 1.8 per night. And those ball-hawking abilities will be very important to disrupt the rhythm of a fast-paced Maccabi offense, led by Brown and Blatt, which averages 20.4 assists per game, second-best in the competition. Maccabi, which suffered a humiliating 70-99 loss against Real on its home floor, will be looking to bounce back as quick as possible.

Both clubs may be considered outsiders in making the playoffs, yet Bayern's historic win over Efes and Virtus' impressive victory over Panathinaikos may be the respective catalysts for an upward trajectory. Who can grab the initiative and help instigate some momentum?

FC Bayern Munich vs Virtus Segafredo Bologna - Round 21 - Highlights

[FC Bayern Munich vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/92/)

After grabbing one of the most remarkable wins in EuroLeague history with last week's double overtime triumph at ASVEL, Bayern (4-6) will look to build further momentum against a Virtus team (7-3) still riding high in the playoffs places. Bayern boss Pablo Laso will center his gameplan around trying to stop [Tornike Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/), the top-ranked player in the competition with an average PIR of 22.6. Another threat from the Italian team is the shooting of [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/), who averages 13.1 points per game on 44.6% three-point shooting. Bayern can counter that with [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/), whose late pair of triples were crucial to the victory at ASVEL and now has at least one three-pointer in nine of this season's 10 games. 

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Zalgiris Kaunas ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/96/)

In a meeting between two of the four teams currently tied for 12th place, rapidly improving Milan (4-6) will look for another win with a visit from Zalgiris (4-6), which has lost five of the last six, including three straight on the road. After powering the Italian team's Round 9 victory over Zvezda with a career night of 32 points on 6-of-7 three-point shooting, [Maodo Lo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/maodo-lo/007032/) will look to continue to provide leadership to a Milan backcourt that has underdelivered at times this season. He will be countered by [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/), who has remained consistent during an up-and-down season for Zalgiris by averaging 15.0 points on 45.5% three-point shooting, including multiple triples in four of the last five games. 

[Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Panathinaikos Athens ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/95/)

Increasingly confident Panathinaikos (6-4) will look to extend its four-game winning run with a trip to Partizan (4-6), which has struggled for consistency in failing to win two consecutive games all season. Partizan big man [Frank Kaminsky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/frank-kaminsky/012743/) enjoyed a breakout game with 24 points in last week's narrow loss against Efes, and he will look to continue that form as he faces the tough task of bettering all-action former Partizan star [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), who has averaged 12 points and 6.5 rebounds during the Greens' winning streak. It should be a high-scoring game between the second and fifth-highest scoring teams in the league, with prominent roles likely for in-form forwards [James Nunnally](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/james-nunnally/007400/) (13.3 ppg., 3.9 rpg.) and [Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) (17.3 ppg., 6.1 rpg.).  

Newly-acquired Facundo Campazzo prepares to try and arrest Zvezda's startling freefall in his continental debut against reigning-champs Efes, who are armed with the strong defensive game of Elijah Bryant, who's earned many plaudits while compensating for the unavailable Vasilije Micić.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Round 27 - Highlights

### Friday, December 1

[Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/97/)

Zvezda (3-7) will look to recover quickly from last week's pummeling at the hands of Milan by overcoming an Efes team which is finding its groove with three wins out of four. Zvezda desperately needs to improve its perimeter defense after taking in 93 points against Milan, including 17 three-pointers with a 63% conversion rate. That's especially important against one of the best long-range shooters out there, [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/), who has drained 10 triples in his last three games. [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) is also recovering his best form with at least 16 points in the last four games, and Zvezda will hope that [Nemanja Nedovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nemanja-nedovic/000848/) can continue his upturn in productivity after reaching double-digits in the last four straight. 

[Valencia Basket vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/99/)

Valencia (5-5) will look to end a four–game losing slump with a Spanish derby against Baskonia (5-5), which is also eager to return to winning ways after last week's late loss to Monaco. Baskonia boasts the second-best road record in the league (3-1), while Valencia is just as strong at La Fonteta with four wins and just one defeat. This game has plenty of significance as it will break a tie between two teams on the fringes of the playoffs places. Baskonia will look to dominate physically through two of the competition's top five rebounders, [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) (9.3 rpg.) and [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) (6.6 rpg), while the host will rely on the scoring power of [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/) (11.4 ppg., 52.4% 3PT). 

[FC Barcelona vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/98/)

The week's action concludes at Palau Blaugrana, where second-placed Barcelona (8-2) will look to make it six home wins in a row with a visit from next-to-bottom ASVEL (2-8). [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) authored a stunning game-winner in last season's game between the teams, and ASVEL will hope he can return from injury to take on a Barcelona backcourt that will be waiting on the fitness of [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/). A key battle will be waged between the calming presence of [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/), whose dependable all-round game gives him averages of 7.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists, and dynamic ASVEL playmaker [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/), who co-leads the league in steals (2.0 spg.) and ranks fourth in assists (5.9). 

Mike James of AS Monaco attempts to get past Isaiah Canaan of Olympiacos Piraeus during last season's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Semifinals.

This week's action in the EuroLeague got underway with a dominant win for Real Madrid on Tuesday, with 10 games coming on Thursday and Friday that includes a rematch from last season's semifinal. 

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Real Madrid (2023-11-28T19:15:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-12-01T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-12-01T19:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2023-12-01T19:00:00.000Z)

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