Round 24: Races are heating up

The A rematch of the 2022 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game is the headline act in Round 24 of the regular season, which also stages a series of games between direct rivals in the race for the playoffs. Here’s an overview of the action.

[ALBA Berlin vs. Olympiacos Piraeus ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/alba-berlin-olympiacos-piraeus/E2022/209/)

The week's action starts on Wednesday as league-leading Olympiacos (16-7) looks to keep on rolling with a visit to last-placed ALBA (6-17), which is now two games adrift in last place. Olympiacos may need Michalis Lountzis to again deputize for Kostas Sloukas and will hope he can replicate his outstanding performance of 13 points and 7 rebounds in last week's win over Anadolu Efes. ALBA has allowed an average of 99 points in the last three games so it desperately needs a massive defensive improvement against the Reds’ top-ranked offense (104.2 PIR per game).

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Real Madrid ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/anadolu-efes-istanbul-real-madrid/E2022/213/)

A hotly anticipated rematch of last season's title game will see Efes (11-12) tip off Thursday's action by attempting to restore a positive path with a visit from in-form Real (16-7), which has won three in a row and six of its last seven. After being publicly called out by an angry Coach Ergin Ataman after last week’s loss at Olympicos, star players Vasilije Micic and Will Clyburn will be particularly keen to deliver big performances against Real, which has Mario Hezonja in great form with 30 points last time out against Monaco. 

Round 24 at a glance: Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Real Madrid

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2022/210/)

Maccabi (12-11) aims to protect the league's best home record when it welcomes a Zvezda (10-13) team that has slipped down the standings with a run of four straight losses. Bonzie Colson has powered Maccabi in recent weeks with three double-doubles in the last five games and his battle with Zvezda’s rising star Filip Petrusev (10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds per game) could be a crucial factor in deciding the outcome. Maccabi will claim the tiebreak advantage with a 2-point victory after a 69-68 Round 10 loss in Belgrade.

[Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs FC Barcelona ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/virtus-segafredo-bologna-fc-barcelona/E2022/212/)

Barcelona (15-8) will look to strengthen its position in the all-important top four with a visit to Virtus (11-12), which has made a move toward the playoff zone by winning three of its last four. Virtus also has relatively recent memories of a victory at Palau Blaugrana, 75-83 in Round 17, behind strong performances from the backcourt duo Iffe Lundberg (20 points) and Milos Teodosic (6 assists), so Barcelona will be determined to gain revenge by putting up stiffer resistance this time.

[FC Bayern Munich vs Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/fc-bayern-munich-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2022/211/)

Bayern (9-14) needs to overcome a plethora of injury problems as it welcomes one of Coach Andrea Trinchieri's former clubs, Partizan (12-11). The Serbian team is in flying form with three straight wins taking Zeljko Obradovic’s men into the playoffs zone and it beat Bayern just a few weeks ago with an 83-77 home win in Round 16. Mathias Lessort was the difference maker on that occasion with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Bayern will have to find an answer for his athleticism on Thursday.

Round 24 at a glance: FC Bayern Munich vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs EA7 Emporio Armani Milan ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2022/208/)

Two teams aiming to maintain momentum meet in Istanbul where Fenerbahce (14-9) hosts Milan (8-15) in Friday's opening game. Nigel Hayes-Davis earned the MVP of Round 23 award after inspiring a badly-needed win for Fenerbahce over ALBA and the Turkish team will need another strong display to overcome a Milan team that has confidence restored after two victories in three days last week. Billy Baron ended a scoring slump with double-digits in both those games (11 and 15 points), and he will pose a major threat to Fenerbahce on Friday.

[Zalgiris Kaunas vs Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/zalgiris-kaunas-cazoo-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2022/215/)

A key battle in the race for the playoffs will take place at Final Four venue Zalgirio Arena where host Zalgiris (12-11) will try to beat direct rival Baskonia (13-10). The Lithuanian team will look to disrupt the distribution of Darius Thompson, who has averaged 8.3 assists for free-scoring Baskonia in the last four games. And against such a potent opponent, Zalgiris also needs to focus on its own offensive production, having failed to score more than 74 points in any of its last five games.

[AS Monaco vs LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/as-monaco-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2022/214/)

A French League derby will see Monaco (14-9) host ASVEL (8-15) with both teams looking to get back to winning ways. ASVEL’s hopes of joining the playoff race are fading fast following a run of just two wins in nine games, and it has already been beaten once this season by Monaco; 17 points apiece for Donatas Motiejunas and Mike James gave the visitors victory, 75-84, in Round 11. Monaco will now look to stiffen its defense after allowing 95 points in a defeat to Real Madrid last week.

[Panathinaikos Athens vs Valencia Basket ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/panathinaikos-athens-valencia-basket/E2022/216/)

After losing twice at home last week, Valencia (12-11) will attempt to relaunch its playoff challenge with a trip to Panathinaikos (8-15). An exciting game between the teams in Round 12 was decided in overtime, 94-91 to Valencia, after 23 points and 8 rebounds from Bojan Dubljevic, but he has missed the last three games through injury so the Spanish team may have to find different solutions – perhaps from fit-again Chris Jones, who has scored in double-digits in five straight games.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v FC Barcelona (2023-02-09T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-02-09T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-02-09T19:05:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-02-08T19:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2023-02-10T17:45:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos Athens v Valencia Basket (2023-02-10T19:00:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-02-10T18:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-02-10T18:00:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Real Madrid (2023-02-09T17:30:00.000Z)

Last week's double-round moved the needle for several teams in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings, but Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade was perhaps its biggest winner, notching two victories to move into the playoff picture. Having won a league-best eight of its last 10 games, the historic Belgrade club has built the league's most unique resume, currently ranking first in offensive efficiency and last in defensive efficiency. While Partizan has been able to make some subtle adjustments defensively to bolster its performance on that end and key the recent run of success, shot-making has been the team's calling card all season.

Comparing its shot chart to the next five most-efficient offenses provides some interesting insight into what makes Partizan so explosive, but also what it takes for a team to differentiate itself in the EuroLeague at the moment.

At first glance, Partizan's shooters stand out as the most aggressive among these teams from the midrange by a wide margin. A league-high 34% of their jump shots come inside the arc, where they make a league-best 47% of those attempts. [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) drives their volume and efficiency on those attempts, while [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yam-madar/011052/), [James Nunnally](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/james-nunnally/007400/) and [Dante Exum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dante-exum/011302/) have all made midrange shots with above-average consistency. Their accuracy from those spots commands defensive attention and is part of the reason they rank second in dunks and open catch-and-shoot jump shots. While they have been surprisingly lackluster from the corners, Partizan nonetheless lead the league in three-point percentage (39.4%) by hitting triples at a tremendous rate above the break.

Partizan's success in that regard can be traced to how many of its shooters' pull-up shots come inside the arc and not from beyond it. Despite being the only team taking significantly more of their dribble jump shots from two-point range compared to three-point range, they still rank second in the EuroLeague in pull-up jump shooting efficiency and first in overall perimeter efficiency. While many teams have actively pivoted away from long two-point shots over the last decade, Partizan has found great success in doing the opposite.

Partizan's mid-range shooters

That's an impressive feat requiring a rare level of midrange prowess, but a critically important one, too, as jump shooting is the key differentiator among this season's top offenses. Every one of the teams above is shooting between 62% and 64% around the rim. While the volume of shots they attempt inside varies and can be impactful on the scoreboard game-to-game, none has taken a big lead over the others in terms of consistency.

Real Madrid is a prime example of the balance that exists there. While its shooters don't have much better accuracy than their peers inside, they have separated themselves in terms of aggressiveness in attacking the rim by attempting 75 more shots there than any of this season's other elite offenses. They also avoid the midrange more than any other team, with only 13% of their jump shots coming inside the arc but outside the paint. Due to a league-low 27% rate on pull-up jump shots, Real tends to be very discerning with shot selection at the midrange distance.

Among other superlatives, Olympiacos Piraeus leads all teams in catch-and-shoot efficiency while Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz is the most efficient pull-up shooting unit. Players like [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) and [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) play a key role in shaping the way their teams operate on the offensive end. Even so, very few teams actively defy convention quite the way Partizan has this season and perhaps no team in recent history has done so at such a high level.

Partizan's unique choice of shots

**EUROLEAGUE BROTHERHOOD**: There is plenty of respect between EuroLeague players as evidenced this week in praise and support for each other, from Augustine Rubit's MVP award to Mathias Lessort's best-man role, to Mantas Kalnietis's retirement.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yea I see you my guy keep it up <a href="https://twitter.com/Rated_Aug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rated_Aug</a> <a href="https://t.co/dNckQmzmmn">https://t.co/dNckQmzmmn</a></p>&mdash; Othello hunter (@O_hunter5) <a href="https://twitter.com/O_hunter5/status/1620399050729332736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That’s dope 😂👌🏼 <a href="https://twitter.com/ThiasLsf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThiasLsf</a> <a href="https://t.co/wjsVBRoELo">https://t.co/wjsVBRoELo</a></p>&mdash; Vincent Poirier (@viinze_17P) <a href="https://twitter.com/viinze_17P/status/1619635639909244929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 <a href="https://t.co/tA1NXXk2zD">https://t.co/tA1NXXk2zD</a></p>&mdash; Mike James (@TheNatural_05) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNatural_05/status/1619769721511104512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 


**ZALGIRIS' NBA ALL STAR**: Zalgiris will surely feel like one of its own players will be playing in the NBA All Star game thanks to Domantas Sabonis.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Three-time NBA All-Star! 🌟<a href="https://twitter.com/Dsabonis11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dsabonis11</a> will represent the Kings at the 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAAllStar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAAllStar</a> Game! 👏<br><br>(📸: <a href="https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SacramentoKings</a>). <a href="https://t.co/S93f7EeZgM">pic.twitter.com/S93f7EeZgM</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1621402785638977536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

**FORMER PLAYERS WELCOME**: Zvezda's Ben Bentil and Nemanja Nedovic were honored in Milan as was Partizan's Zach LeDay in Kaunas.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZalgirioArena?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZalgirioArena</a> welcomed back Zach Leday! 🖼️ <a href="https://t.co/vPUNgFVLPd">pic.twitter.com/vPUNgFVLPd</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1621567710613184512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Always Love🔴⚪️ <a href="https://t.co/1gEmrN6DXj">https://t.co/1gEmrN6DXj</a></p>&mdash; SIR PABLO (@benbentil) <a href="https://twitter.com/benbentil/status/1621283316019126274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**BLOOPER**: Have you ever seen a ball bounce all the way to the other half of the court?

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">😅🤦🏽♂️ <a href="https://t.co/9NCtybaYYu">https://t.co/9NCtybaYYu</a></p>&mdash; Isaïa Cordinier (@izaycordinier) <a href="https://twitter.com/izaycordinier/status/1620561388379963393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

**FAN APPRECIATION**: EuroLeague stars always find time and for the fans.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Feliz de ver Cabo Verdianos por el mundo 🇨🇻💙💙 <a href="https://t.co/K5yQa8B5vC">https://t.co/K5yQa8B5vC</a></p>&mdash; Edy Tavares (@waltertavares22) <a href="https://twitter.com/waltertavares22/status/1621659165432201217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">✍️ <a href="https://twitter.com/KingKK_14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KingKK_14</a> 💙❤️ <a href="https://t.co/4N838BXJkf">pic.twitter.com/4N838BXJkf</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1621206986166509568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Man of the people 👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/apOGoSLRpU">pic.twitter.com/apOGoSLRpU</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket EN 🏀 (@ASMBasket_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMBasket_EN/status/1621114453809848323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">🔴⚪️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CrvenoBelaPorodica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CrvenoBelaPorodica</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeCan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeCan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/r5QsDHRrKg">pic.twitter.com/r5QsDHRrKg</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1621507776605470729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CoGR-BSoiMX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KP (@kpjunior_)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Going back home with a W<a href="https://twitter.com/TheGateMTA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheGateMTA</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreMaccabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreMaccabi</a> <a href="https://t.co/IarFhX20FF">pic.twitter.com/IarFhX20FF</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1621297619493425154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**WINNERS' CORNER**: Six teams won twice last week: Real, Barcelona, Olympiacos, Partizan, Virtus and Milan.

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CoIiAjErCI9/?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/CoIiAjErCI9/?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; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CoIiAjErCI9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Thomas Walkup (@twalkup23)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great win on the road 😤 <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadWarriors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadWarriors</a></p>&mdash; Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd/status/1620897729043103744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🔒 in to get the W! 💪 Job done et on enchaîne sur un gros duel vendredi à la maison. Team work makes the dream work ✅ Daghe <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> ! <a href="https://t.co/bU9ruIUj19">pic.twitter.com/bU9ruIUj19</a></p>&mdash; Elie Okobo (@ElieOkobo_0) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElieOkobo_0/status/1620899533096984596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back to back ✅ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/For%C3%A7aBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForçaBarça</a> 🔴🔵 <a href="https://t.co/6nMKJP5xJ5">pic.twitter.com/6nMKJP5xJ5</a></p>&mdash; Sertac Sanli (@SanliSertac) <a href="https://twitter.com/SanliSertac/status/1621515330605707265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The legendary Sky Hook shot, German Edition! 🙌🏼🇩🇪 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EA7CZV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EA7CZV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Voigtmann?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Voigtmann</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Voigtmannfc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Voigtmannfc</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/gQFLvs16Ql">pic.twitter.com/gQFLvs16Ql</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1621546415401967617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We Rolling 🛞🛞</p>&mdash; Isaiah Canaan (@SiP03) <a href="https://twitter.com/SiP03/status/1621651533547950086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Primer selfie! ✅🍊<a href="https://twitter.com/23Llull?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@23Llull</a> <a href="https://t.co/c6Bkutzjme">https://t.co/c6Bkutzjme</a></p>&mdash; Mario Hezonja (@mariohezonja) <a href="https://twitter.com/mariohezonja/status/1621831002871205889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Victoria importante en <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> en casa 💪🏼👏🏼<br>A seguir mejorando para todo lo que viene! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> 🔵🔴 <a href="https://t.co/ATHYLqt7qx">https://t.co/ATHYLqt7qx</a></p>&mdash; dani diez (@danidiez11) <a href="https://twitter.com/danidiez11/status/1621630877154279425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">PTW. <a href="https://t.co/WH4Ch0qx4l">pic.twitter.com/WH4Ch0qx4l</a></p>&mdash; Marco Belinelli (@marcobelinelli) <a href="https://twitter.com/marcobelinelli/status/1621648822362415104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


EuroLeague week on social media

In case you missed it, the hottest team in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague over the last 10 games is Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, which now finds itself in the playoff zone for the first time this season after its first double-round sweep.

Partizan took Zalgiris Kaunas’s best punch and delivered a knockout blow in the fourth quarter for a 74-88 road win. That came on the heels of a 92-71 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne to give the 1992 EuroLeague champs a 12-11 mark and eight wins in the last 10 games. That also leaves Partizan atop a four-way tie at 12-11 for seventh place in the standings.

"We’re just growing with time. We have the most inexperienced team in EuroLeague and it was going to take time. But now we’re just growing and trying to get better and get to know each other, listen to each other and realize it’s us against everyone," said Zach LeDay, who collected 11 points and 10 rebounds against his former team Zalgiris.

LeDay, along with teammate Kevin Punter, helped EA7 Emporio Armani Milan reach the 2021 Final Four before moving to Partizan for the 2021-22 season. A strong season in the 7DAYS EuroCup helped bring the historic club back to the EuroLeague.

LeDay and co. also have the winningest coaches in European basketball at the helm with Zeljko Obradovic, and the mastermind has worked through the struggles and gotten his team to play the style he wants.

Partizan was sitting in 15th place at 4-9 before it went on the current surge. The only two losses since December 16 came in Round 11 on the front end of a double-round at Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, which has the league’s best home record; and in Round 20 at Valencia Basket. Otherwise, it’s been nothing but wins for Partizan, which all of a sudden is seriously in the playoff picture.

Partizan's perfect week has it in the playoff picture

Chima Moneke of Monaco and Real Madrid's Adam Hanga vie for the ball. 

Bayern's Corey Walden passes in between Jan Vesely and Nikola Mirotic of Barcelona

Johannes Voigtmann of Milan dunks against Crvena Zvezda

Maccabi's Rafi Menco plays defense against Klemen Prepelic of Valencia 

Paris Lee of Panathinaikos tries to steal the ball from Baskonia's Max Heidegger

Johnathan Motley of Fenerbahce dunks against ALBA Berlin

Kevin Punter of Partizan drives past Zalgiris's Ignas Brazdeikis 

Dee Bost of ASVEL tries to pass the ball despite the defensive effort of Virtus's Daniel Hackett

Ante Zizic of Efes dunks against Olympiacos 

Yanni Wetzell of ALBA Berlin tries to evade the defense of Fenerbahce's Johnathan Motely

Look back at all the action from Round 23 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

The Top 10 photos of the week, Round 23

### Hezonja entered Real Madrid special club

This double-round week saw [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) come to the fore for Real Madrid. First, he faced former team Panathinaikos Athens on Wednesday and was one of Los Blancos' best performers with 14 points and 3 rebounds in a comfortable [83-68](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/real-madrid-panathinaikos-athens/E2022/198/) victory. What followed less than 48 hours later was the best performance of his career. In a [91-95](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/as-monaco-real-madrid/E2022/203/) win at AS Monaco, Hezonja starred for Los Blancos, scoring a career-high 30 points and becoming the first Real player since Luka Doncic in the 2017-18 season to score 30 or more points in a game. Also, it is only the eighth time in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this century that a Real player has scored 30 or more points. Hezonja did it by setting career-highs with 6 three-pointers, in addition to dishing 6 assists, pulling down 6 rebounds and setting a new career-best PIR of 34.

Mario Hezonja (30 points) Highlights vs. AS Monaco

Mario Hezonja 30 points highlights vs AS Monaco

### Canaan knocked out Fenerbahce from deep

Olympiacos Piraeus won two games this past week against teams from Istanbul, and in its Round 22 contest on the road at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) had a huge night. Caanan connected on 6 three-pointers from 9 attempts, which is tied for his career best and the most triples made by an Olympiacos player this season. Canaan finished with a personal season-high of 20 points and a PIR of 21. It was a great performance by the Olympiacos guard in a resounding [73-93](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-olympiacos-piraeus/E2022/190/) win.

Isaiah Canaan hit 6 three-pointers vs. Fenerbahce

Canaan knocked out Fenerbahce from deep

### Nunnally gave Partizan fourth-quarter boost

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade came away from Kaunas with a crucial [74-88](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/zalgiris-kaunas-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2022/204/) road win over Zalgiris. Partizan was up by 22 in the first half, before Zalgiris came within 6 points late in the third. However, [James Nunnally](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/james-nunnally/007400/) delivered when Partizan needed someone to step up. His first big play was to make a steal that led to an Alen Smailagic three-pointer. Then, scoreless until 7:30 left in the game, Nunnally knocked down a three-pointer to open a 56-70 margin. If there was any fight left in Zalgiris, Nunnally ended it by stringing together 7 points to open a 61-81 lead with just under four minutes to go. Partizan had 6 scorers in double figures, and Nunnally finished with 10 points without missing a shot, along with 2 assists and 2 steals.

Nunnally gave Partizan fourth-quarter boost

### Thompson's unusual production

Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz protected its home court with a [95-90](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/cazoo-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-panathinaikos-athens/E2022/207/) win over Panathinaikos Athens on Friday night. [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) orchestrated Baskonia offense to the tune of 10 assists, but he only scored 3 points, which came on only 1 field goal attempt and 1 made free throw. His only field goal came with 1:20 left in the game, as he scored Baskonia's final point of the night. Up until that moment, Thompson was in line for a EuroLeague record for the most assists in a game without attempting a field goal. The player who still holds that record is Pablo Prigioni, who had 6 assists without attempting a shot, also in Baskonia jersey, in 2017.

Darius Thompson highlights vs. Panathinaikos

Thompson's unusual production

### Cordinier's all-round week

Another team that won two games from two this week was Virtus Segafredo Bologna, which first took care of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade [84-72](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/virtus-segafredo-bologna-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2022/195/) on its home floor before going on the road to beat LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne [64-77](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2022/206/) on Friday night. [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) was a standout performer for Virtus in both contests. The 26-year-old Frenchman had scored in double figures just three times entering this week, but he had 11 points against Zvezda and then 10 against ASVEL. There's more to add, though. Over those two games, Cordinier also combined for 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals and just 1 turnover. Cordinier was particularly impressive against ASVEL, finishing with 10 points, 5 rebounds and personal-best totals of 5 assists, 3 steals and an 18 PIR.

Isaia Cordinier highlights vs. Crvena Zvezda and ASVEL

Cordinier's all-round week

### Voigtmann got his groove back

The EuroLeague's other Italian club, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, also picked up two wins this week after downing Baskonia and Zvezda. One of the big reasons why is the play of [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/007201/). "He showed the real Johannes Voigtmann," said Milan head coach Ettore Messina after the win over Baskonia, in which the German big man had 16 points on 4-for-6 three-point shooting and 8 rebounds. Two days later against Zvezda, he was less productive with 7 points, but had 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a block, with +9 in the +/- column. If Voigtmann can start to play at this level on a consistent basis in the remainder of the season, don't be surprised if Milan, currently at 8-15, makes a late push to make the playoffs, despite having been in last place just a few weeks ago.

Johannes Voigtmann highlights vs. Baskonia and Crvena Zvezda

Voigtmann got his groove back

Roll call, Rounds 22 and 23: Rare feats for Hezonja, Thompson

AS Monaco and Real Madrid gave Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans another thriller on Friday night. Following Monaco's improbable Round 12  victory in the Spanish capital, the second overtime game between them in two seasons, this time Real managed to hold onto a 91-95 win in regulation time.

Both games this season featured almost-identical situations in the final minute of fourth quarter, with Mike James holding decisive shot opportunities –  one he took and one he didn't.

In Round 12, James did the seemingly impossible. With Monaco down 88-84 and 6.8 seconds on the clock, he launched a three-point shot with a near-vertical trajectory to send it over the outstretched arms of 2.20-meter Walter Tavares, the EuroLeague's shot-blocking king.

Not only did James make that shot, miraculously, but he drew a foul on Tavares. His four-point play tied the game, which ended up going into an extra session where Monaco claimed its only victory ever over Real, 94-95.

Monaco needed four points to tie the game, and up stepped Mike James, who drained a deep three-pointer while being fouled by Walter Tavares. He then went to the line tie the game.

7DAYS Magic Moment: Mike James comes up clutch for Monaco!

That was not the first time that James conjured a clutch four-point play in a game's final seconds, but on Friday he did something perhaps even more unexpected for arguably the league's top clutch player  – pass up a wide-open three-pointer.

Monaco was down 88-91 and had possession and with 37 seconds left. James screened for ball-handler Elie Okobo who took both of their defenders into the paint. James, left alone at the top of the three-point arc, called for the ball and Okobo delivered it. But with everyone anticipating the Monaco superstar's game-tying shot attempt, James quickly redirected the ball to teammate Jarron Blossomgame, who had a defender nearer to him on the right wing.

Blossomgame, also expecting James to shoot, was starting to run toward a possible rebound and not even looking for the pass. The ball bounced off Blossomgame's shoulder and out of bounds.

Mike James passes on a wide-open three

Blossomgame was credited with the turnover, but James was very critical of himself on social media right after the game. His teammates and head coach were just as eager to jump to James's defense.

"Without Mike we would never get in this situation to do something," coach Sasa Obradovic said at the post-game press conference. "He put us in the situation to win against such a big opponent. Usually, he would shoot it, but it is not a big deal. That's basketball; a decision here, a decision there."

James led the team with 23 points and had 7 assists and just 1 turnover. But he was 0-for-4 from three-point distance on Friday, which likely played a role in his decision.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bro we wouldn’t even be in that situation if it wasn’t for you. That one play doesn’t make the difference fam. Hell, how about I do a better job and help you out 😂. Head up and next game. We with you 💯 <a href="https://t.co/fgIFH9xIIv">https://t.co/fgIFH9xIIv</a></p>&mdash; Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd/status/1621635730962370561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Monaco still found itself down 4 points and inbounding the ball with 4.3 seconds to go, a nearly identical situation to the one in Madrid. This time, Okobo shot and missed, but in any case Real did not challenge the shot, so there was no possibility of a four-point play.

"It was not an easy defeat against them on our home court," Real's Dzana Musa said after the game. "We were thinking about it \[when they were\] down 4 on the last possession."

Real learned from its past mistake by making sure not to risk another game-tying four-point play.

Rest assured that James will learn from Friday night's game, too.

A tale of two Mike James moments

AS Monaco v Real Madrid (2023-02-03T18:00:00.000Z)

[Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) has grabbed his first-ever MVP of the Round accolade in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after shining in Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's 101-86 win over ALBA Berlin on Friday evening. Hayes-Davis had a career-high PIR of 37, the most of any player in Round 23. He tied his career high with 24 points, making 6-of-8 two-pointers, 2-of-5 threes and 6-of-8 free throws, while he also set a new career-best total for rebounds with 11. In addition to that, Hayes-Davis had 3 assists, 3 steals and 8 fouls drawn.

The second-best PIR, 34, belongs to [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) of Real Madrid. In a 91-95 road win over AS Monaco, Hezonja recorded a career-high 30 points on 6-for-10 three-point shooting, along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv had a PIR of 32, the third highest in Round 23. During his team's 93-94 win at Valencia Basket, Colson had a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double. He also amassed 3 assists, 1 steal and 6 drawn fouls. Monaco star [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) had 24 PIR after finishing with 23 points and 7 assists. Rounding out the list of Round 23 top performers are Valencia guard [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jared-harper/011970/) and Olympiacos Piraeus forward [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/), both of whom had a PIR of 21.

Round 23 MVP: Nigel Hayes-Davis, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

[Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) of Real Madrid led all scorers with 30 points in Round 23. [Dwayne Bacon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dwayne-bacon/011286/) of Panathinaikos Athens leads the league with 19.2 points per game. 

[Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv had 12 rebounds, more than any other player in this round. [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) of Real Madrid are tied as the league leader for rebounds with 7.2 per game.

No player in Round 23 dished more assists than Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz point guard [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/), who had 10. Olympiacos Piraeus guard [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) is the league leader with 6.6 assists per contest.

Three players had 3 steals: this round's MVP [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) of Virtus Segafredo Bologna and [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul. Olympiacos's [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) tops the charts, averaging 1.9 steals per night.

ALBA Berlin center [Christ Koumadje](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/christ-koumadje/010791/) led all players in Round 23 with 4 blocks. Tavares is the league's top shot blocker with 2.5 per game. 

There were three double-doubles this round: Colson with 17 points and 12 rebounds, Hayes-Davis with 24 points and 11 rebounds, and [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/) of Partizan with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Round 23 individual highs: Bonzie Colson, Maccabi, 12 rebounds

Things did not look too good for Real Madrid in the middle of the third quarter against AS Monaco on Friday evening. Los Blancos had just surrendered a 12-1 run to the hosts and had been held to a single free throw, while they had committed an eye-watering 8 turnovers in the opening five minutes after halftime.

Mario Hezonja's 20 points in the first half felt like a distant memory at that point. To add to Real's misery, after only 3:32 of play in the third quarter, Walter Tavares picked up 2 more personal fouls. That took him to 4 in the game, so he went straight to the bench.

Despite Vincent Poirier being available once again, having missed the Round 22 win over Panathinaikos Athens, the French big man picked up 3 more fouls of his own in the following three minutes, which resulted in him fouling out with 3:44 left in the third quarter.

That forced head coach Chus Mateo to turn to a small lineup, as Guerschon Yabusele and Gabriel Deck joined Hezonja in the frontcourt, with Dzanan Musa and Sergio Llull occupying the two spots in the backcourt.

In the next 11 minutes, the only substitution made by Real saw Adam Hanga come in for Llull to give the veteran Spanish guard a break. The other four held the fort. That turned out to be a game-changer for Real, as it restored control of the boards.

Meanwhile, it did not take away from what worked offensively for Los Blancos: the team's three-point shooting. Real hit all 5 of its three-point attempts in the remainder of the third quarter, and was 3-of-5 in the fourth, of which those 3 makes came in the final 5:24 of the game. Hanga provided 2 and the other came from Hezonja, who made his career-high sixth three-pointer of the night with 1:55 left in the game.

"We were patient and kept working," Coach Mateo stated after the game. "We found open shots and we scored from the outside. We had 22 assists, which is very important: to pass the ball to become a team."

Tavares returned to the floor in the final 3 minutes, but it was the efforts of Deck (9 rebounds), Hezonja (6) and Yabusele (5) that allowed Real to outrebound the hosts 36-26 and grab a big road win.

Game Videos

Game News

Real Madrid small-balled its way to another win

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 23rd winner in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, powered by Ardu Prime! Dimitrios Lagos beat everyone else in Round 23 as his team Curayo vallecano had a whopping Fantasy Challenge score of 215.8.

 

Dimitrios used the following lineup: Mike James of AS Monaco, Dante Exum of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Bonzie Colson (team captain) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Matt Costello of Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and his teammate Rokas Giedraitis, all as starters. Nigel Hayes-Davis of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul was his sixth man.

 

The bench featured Carsen Edwards also of Fenerbahce, Charles Kahudi of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Johannes Thiemann of ALBA Berlin and his teammate Malte Delow. His coach was Dimitris Itoudis of Fenerbahce.

 

The prize for finishing first in Round 23 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2023-24 season!

 

Ilias Kosmas is the new leader atop the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge overall standings. Ilias leads everyone else with a score of 3,880.8 fantasy points.

 

Trades are now open for Round 24. Remember, three trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season, and you can also trade your head coach.

 

The first game in Round 24 is ALBA vs. Olympiacos Piraeus, scheduled on Wednesday, February 8 at 20:00 CET, making that the next round's deadline for trades.

 

Try to improve your teams and challenge for more prizes at the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, powered by Ardu Prime!

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge: Round 23 winner!

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv has announced the renewal of [Roman Sorkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/roman-sorkin/011219/)'s contract until the end of the 2024-25 season. Sorkin had signed a 1+1 deal when he joined Maccabi in the summer of 2021, but his impressive performances have resulted in the 26-year-old forward being rewarded with a new contract.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">👍 <a href="https://twitter.com/RomannSorkin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RomannSorkin</a> 2025 <a href="https://t.co/QEVlDsEUkr">pic.twitter.com/QEVlDsEUkr</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1622578452258750464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I am very happy to sign for two more years at a club that has become my home," Sorkin told Maccabi's official club media. "I feel like we are all one big family. Our mutual objective is to reach our goals and make our fans, who I am so connected to, happy. We have goals and we are just in the middle of the season, and all I want right now is to work towards winning and winning trophies".

This season, Sorkin has taken a big leap under head coach Oded Kattash, seeing his statistics rise across the board. In 2021-22, the Israel international played an average of 8.8 minutes in 22 games, averaging 2.9 points and 1.8 rebounds. So far in 2022-23, Sorkin has appeared in 21 games and averaged 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 block in 17.6 minutes on the court.

The top plays of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv forward Roman Sorkin between Rounds 1 and 23 in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Roman Sorkin's top plays, Rounds 1-23

"Signing Roman Sorkin for two additional years beyond this one serves as a statement of our club's long-term dedication," said club chairman Shimon Mizrahi. "Roman will be one of the team's anchors, and one of our goals is to preserve the current roster and its continuity as much as possible. We are very happy and we congratulate Roman, who is certainly on an upwards trajectory. I am sure he will keep this up."

Sorkin had his best performance to date in Round 21 of this current season, scoring 23 points, grabbing 9 rebounds and finishing with a PIR of 33 against Olympiacos Piraeus. Maccabi will hope that he can continue his progress after penning this new contract.

News

Roman Sorkin signs new Maccabi contract until 2025

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