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

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Bring on the playoffs!

It's playoff time in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague! The best eight teams in the competition are set to battle in best-of-five series with only one goal in mind: making it to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin, Germany. With 10 teams already eliminated, there are fewer options in the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) but don't worry, there are plenty of chances to put together a good team. Here are my recommendations before Game 1 of the playoffs: 

[Mike James, AS Monaco (17.9 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/)

James is my superstar of choice at the start of the playoffs. Monaco plays at home, so that is always a plus. Moreover, James has played well against Fenerbahce so far this season, getting 24 points and 5 rebounds for a PIR of 25 in Istanbul and 23 points and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 29 in Monaco. Honestly, what's not to like about him? 

[Matt Costello, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (10.2 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-costello/010444/)

Costello has been sensational lately, helping Baskonia punch its playoff ticket. Against Virtus last week, Costello had 6 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and a PIR of 18 in over 25 minutes. He followed that up with a PIR of 26 in his team's Spanish League game over the weekend. If Chima Moneke remains unavailable, Costello will play even more. 

Mike James, Lorenzo Brown, Matt Costello, Dzanan Musa and Nico Laprovittola are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Playoffs Games 1-2

[Nico Laprovittola, FC Barcelona (11.1 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/)

Barca managed to beat Olympiacos twice this season mainly because of its three-point shooting, which was excellent in Pireaus and pretty good at Palau Blaugrana, too. In his only game against Olympiacos this season, Laprovittola had 17 points and 7 assists for a PIR of 22, missing just a couple of shots. He is expected to play a leading role in this series.

[Dzanan Musa, Real Madrid (14.9 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/)

It's hard to pick just one Real player ahead of the playoffs. Musa has played well against Baskonia in both games this season and that leads me to recommend him. He had 13 points and 7 rebounds in Real's season opener in Vitoria-Gasteiz and had 16 points and 4 rebounds for a PIR of 17 when they met in the Spanish capital. Expect him to stay strong from now on. 

[Lorenzo Brown, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (11.9 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/)

The man of the moment! Brown took Maccabi to the playoffs with a stellar performance against Baskonia: 29 points on 7 of 8 three-pointers and 5 assists for a PIR of 35. Brown struggled a bit at times this season, but not against Panathinaikos, averaging 13.0 points, 9.5 assists and 3.0 steals for a PIR of 17.5 against the Greens. 

The Panathinaikos-Maccabi series, which begins on Tuesday, had two overtures during the EuroLeague Regular Season. Here's what happened.

This season's precedents: Panathinaikos vs. Maccabi

A dozen years have passed since Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv have crossed paths in the playoffs, but the memory of their epic five-game showdown in 2012 merely whets the appetite for this long-awaited rematch. Maccabi is 18-15 against the Greens overall this century, but Panathinaikos won the last two major showdowns between them: Game 5 in that 2012 series and the previous season's 2011 championship game.

 

Panathinaikos (23-11, second seed) hasn't seen a Final Four since winning that bygone series while Maccabi (20-14, seventh seed) hasn't been to one since taking the title in 2014. One of these multiple EuroLeague champions will break the spell at the end of this series and take its place once again in the big dance.

 

Here's what happened when they faced earlier this season.

[**Maccabi rose up in overtime**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/35/)

In [Round 4](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-panathinaikos-bc-vs-maccabi-tel-aviv-bc/), Panathinaikos and Maccabi delivered an instant classic  Maccabi led by as many as 14 at halftime, 24-39. Panathinaikos rallied and took a 72-70 lead into the final minute of the fourth quarter but [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) sent the game to overtime on a put-back layup off a free throw missed by [Roman Sorkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/roman-sorkin/011219/). Once in the extra period, [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/), [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) and [Antonius Cleveland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/antonius-cleveland/012744/) sealed the outcome from the free throw line. [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) led the winners with 21 points and 8 rebounds. [John DiBartolomeo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-dibartolomeo/007990/) added 15 while Brown, Nebo and Blatt added 12. [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/) led Panathinaikos with 15 points and [Marius Grigonis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marius-grigonis/002328/) added 13 for the Greens.

Panathinaikos welcomes Maccabi as two ambitious clubs attempt to recover from Round 3 disappointment. Ergin Ataman's Greens long for greater attacking rhythm since averaging only 12.7 assists, whereas in contrast, Maccabi lead the league in that department having reached 24.5 per game.

Panathinaikos Athens vs Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 4 | Highlights

[**Baldwin nailed down Maccabi’s sweep**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/35/)

In their [Round 23](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-maccabi-tel-aviv-bc-vs-panathinaikos-bc/) rematch Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, it was a close game for 32 minutes, when a three-pointer by Grigonis got Panathinaikos within 64-62. Maccabi found its go-to guy in [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), who had not faced Panathinaikos in the first game due to injury. Baldwin scored 7 quick points, getting help from Nebo and [James Webb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/james-webb-iii/011971/) to seal the outcome, 77-69, with over 2 minutes remaining. The eventual 90-75 outcome, behind 22 points from Baldwin, gave Maccabi a season sweep of the Greens. Colson, Nebo and [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) each added 14 for Maccabi. Despite grabbing a season-high 20 offensive rebounds, Panathinaikos could not prevail. [Panagiotis Kalaitzakis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/panagiotis-kalaitzakis/011209/) led the Greens with 17 points.

The Greens are in great form with eight wins out of the last nine and appear well on course to conclude the regular season in the top-six. They journey to a stuttering Maccabi outfit seeking defensive improvement after losing three of their previous four, having shipped 88 points in each of those defeats.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | Round 23 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Game Videos

Game News

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-04-23T17:30:00.000Z)

The Real-Baskonia series, which begins on Tuesday, had two overtures during the EuroLeague Regular Season. Here's what happened.

This season's precedents: Real vs. Baskonia 

Although they have done so often in Spain, this marks the first time ever that Real Madrid (27-7, first seed) and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (18-16, eighth seed) will square off in a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs series of any length, with their regional rivalry adding an spicy element to this five-game series.

 

Given its top-ranked run in the regular season, Real would host a potential Game 5 on its home floor should the series require it. On the other hand, Baskonia has outdone Real 10-8 in EuroLeague games between them, including a 3-1 record over the last two seasons, going 3-1.

 

Of course, they have measured each other twice already in EuroLeague action this season. Here's what went down in those games.

[**Madrid rallied for revenge at Buesa**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-real-madrid/E2023/8/)

Back in [Round 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-three-pointers-absences-baskonia/), when Baskonia still had Joan Penarroya as its head coach, visiting Real came away from Buesa Arena with a narrow 77-79 victory. Baskonia led after each of the first three quarters, with [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-costello/010444/), [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) and [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) impressing, but a 10-17 fourth-quarter run resulted in Real stealing the win. That night, Los Blancos were led by [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/), [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/), [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) and [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/), who combined for 56 points. After being swept by Baskonia in 2022-23, despite going on to win the championship, Real was able to exact some revenge against its bogey team during [Chus Mateo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/mateo-chus/)'s reign.

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz-Real Madrid | Round 1 | Highlights

[**Howard led Baskonia’s ambush**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/297/)

In their [Round 33](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-real-madrid-baloncesto-vs-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/) rematch, Real Madrid came out the blocks at home to Baskonia and held a 27-17 lead after the first 10 minutes. However, Baskonia then outscored the hosts in each of the last three quarters, reducing the gap to 48-42 at halftime before taking a slender 64-65 lead into the fourth quarter. Howard erupted for 15 points in the final period to match his career high of 35 points, with Baskonia coming away with a memorable 91-95 win. That triumph meant that Baskonia has won on its last two EuroLeague trips to WiZink Center, following [Costello's game-winning buzzer-buzzer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/videos/7days-magic-moment-costello-wins-it/) in the final seconds of last year's contest.

Los Blancos has already set a record for the most regular season victories and they aim for a fifth after Dzanan Musa inspired a triumph versus Zvezda, whereas Baskonia have stumbled via three straight losses and bid to avenge an opening night loss to Real after Markus Howard missed on the buzzer.

Real Madrid-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 33 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Real Madrid v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-04-23T19:00:00.000Z)

The Monaco-Fenerbahce series, which begins on Wednesday, had two overtures during the EuroLeague Regular Season. Here's what happened.

This season's precedents: AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Excitement is guaranteed in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, but that may be particularly true in the best-of-five series between AS Monaco (23-11, third seed) and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20-14, sixth seed).  These two teams have tended to hold serve on their home courts in their relatively short all-time series. Fenerbahce has the only road win between them – a 93-96 shootout triumph at Salle Gaston Medecin on November 22, 2022 – and therefore holds a 4-2 record over Monaco.

 

Fenerbahce would have to repeat that feat at least once to survive this series, as Monaco holds home-court advantage, including in a potential Game 5 would take place on Monaco's home floor.

 

Here's how did they fare against each other earlier this season.

[**Fenerbahce aced Saras’s debut**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-as-monaco/E2023/123/)

Head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius's first game in the Fenerbahce hot seat came against Monaco in [Round 14](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-vs-as-monaco-basket/). Despite an inspired performance by Monaco guard [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), who finished with 24 points, Fenerbahce put the clamps on the visitors in the third quarter to take control of the contest en route to an 86-74 victory. The star for the Turkish side that night was [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/), who netted 23 points, including 8 in a 22-12 third quarter. That result improved Fenerbahce to a perfect 6-0 record at home, with the team having gone 5-0 at Ulker Sports and Events Hall under ex-boss Dimitris Itoudis through its first five home games.

Fenerbahce continue to rely on the leadership of Nigel Hayes-Davis, as he remains the only player to have started every game of the campaign. Next for them are Monaco, who has won three of their last four, including a hard-fought road triumph at Zalgiris where Mike James again asserted his importance.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul-AS Monaco | Round 14 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

[**James rallied Monaco late**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/222/)

When they met again a month and a half later in the principality for Round 25, Monaco exacted some revenge by coming away with an 76-69 win. Fenerbahce led at the end of the first three quarters, but a 21-8 fourth quarter – in which James netted 10 points – allowed Monaco to emerge as the victor. James once again starred for the Monegasques, posting 23 points, while [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/) added 16, [John Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-brown/010588/) 15 and [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/) 11. Fenerbahce had four double-digit scorers led by [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/) with 12.

Monaco search for a fourth consecutive win and are equipped with the clockwork consistency of Mike James, Round 24's MVP after powering his team over Partizan. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce enhanced its fragile road form with an impressive evening at ASVEL and have center Johnathan Motley thriving.

AS Monaco-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Round 25 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

AS Monaco v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-04-24T17:00:00.000Z)

The Barca-Olympiacos series, which begins on Wednesday, had two overtures during the EuroLeague Regular Season. Here's what happened.

This season's precedents: Barcelona vs. Olympiacos

Nine years have passed since FC Barcelona (22-12, fourth seed) and Olympiacos Piraeus (22-12, fifth seed) last went against each other in a Turkish Airlines Euroleague Playoffs series. The other big-game precedents include the 2010 championship game, won by Barcelona, and the 2012 semifinals, won by Olympiacos. Barca leads their series this century by 22-13 overall.

 

This season, Barca finished ahead of the Reds due to a well-earned tie-break advantage and will enjoy home-court advantage. But Reds' fans will recall that their team lacked that advantage back in 2015, too, but was able to overcome and reach the Final Four.

 

Here's what went down when these two teams played each other earlier this season.

[**Abrines, Laprovittola led Barca from deep**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-fc-barcelona/E2023/16/)

Olympiacos hosted Barca for their first meeting this season at Peace and Friendship Stadium in [Round 2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-olympiacos-bc-vs-fc-barcelona/). Barca led most of the way until [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) had 7 points in a 9-0 run that gave Olympiacos a 66-59 lead with over 4 minutes left. Barca answered in style, as [Alex Abrines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alex-abrines/003478/) struck twice from downtown and [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) added another triple in a 0-14 run that sealed the outcome. Barca won 68-77 behind 17 points and 7 assists from [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/).  Barca buried 15 of 26 three-pointers (57.7%) – led by Abrines making 5 of 7 for 16 points – while Olympiacos hit just 7 of 25 (28%). Walkup led the Reds with 14 points.

Olympiacos Piraeus-FC Barcelona | Round 2 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

[**Parker, Hernangomez assured crucial sweep**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/179/)

Olympiacos arrived to their [Round 20](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-barca-basket-vs-olympiacos-bc/) rematch with a four-game winning streak while Barca had just won its last two at Palau Blaugrana. Barca led most of the way, but the Reds rallied to get within 81-78 in the next-to-last minute. [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) beat the shot clock with a five-meter jumper and Satoransky sealed the outcome with a three-pointer. Barca won 86-78. The winners got 21 points from [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/), 16 from [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/), and 13 each from Satoransky and Kalinic. [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) led all scorers with 22 points for Olympiacos. Barca outrebounded the Reds by 33-23 and once again did much better from beyond the three-point line, hitting 11 of 25 attempts (44.0%) to 8 of 22 (36.4%). Its series sweep proved the only tiebreak advantage Barca needed to assure itself home-court advantage in this series.

Jan Vesely was seemingly unstoppable in Barcelona's big wins against Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Baskonia, netting 27 and 23 points, respectively. His battle with Moustapha Fall could be one to watch as fast-rising Olympiaocs strive to manage tempo via the leadership skills of Thomas Walkup.

FC Barcelona-Olympiacos Piraeus | Round 20 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

FC Barcelona v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-04-24T19:00:00.000Z)

The eight teams entering the best-of-five Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoff series will look to lean on their strengths, some of which lie in the numbers.

The playoff teams’ strengths, by the numbers

### Real Madrid's stifling defense

In addition to all of its offensive numbers, defending champion Real Madrid leads the league in two major defensive statistical categories, two-point and three-point percentages allowed. Real has held opponents to a league-low 50.8% shooting on two-pointers and Los Blancos have also allowed a mere 33.5% on three-point shooters. In the current round-robin EuroLeague format, this has only been done once before, by Barcelona in the 2020-21 season.

What is really interesting is that Real has faced the second most two-point shot attempts and the third fewest triples. No team has seen its opponents attempt more two-pointers than Real, 43.2 per game, with Fenerbahce being second in that department quite below at 40.2. But opponents have made just over half of those attempts against Real, as a result of the intimidating factors in the paint named Walter Tavares and Vincent Poirier. They are the two best shot-blockers in the league, with Poirer ranking first (1.5 bpg.) and Tavares, who is the EuroLeague all-time leader in blocks, second this season (1.4 bpg.).

Real Madrid leads the league in blocked shots

### Sharing is caring

This season there are five teams averaging at least 19 assists per game and they all made the playoffs. Eight teams have averaged better than 18.0 assists this season and six will be competing in the playoffs. That's the first time ever. They are Real (20.5 apg.), Maccabi (19.7 apg.), Barcelona (19.4 apg.), Olympiacos (19.3 apg.), Baskonia (19.0 apg.) and Fenerbahce (18.1 apg.). There have never been more than four such playoff teams in the past. Real's 20.5 are on pace to finish as fifth best ever, with a chance to improve in the playoffs, and possibly beyond.

The most curios case among these six, however, might be Olympiacos which ranks fourth in assists even though it is only 13th in scoring (79.0 ppg.) and 15th in field goals made (28.3 per game), which are both the lowest marks of all playoff teams. Olympiacos is the only team averaging below 80 points per game among the playoff teams, as the Reds average nearly 3 points fewer than the next team, Monaco (81.9 ppg.).

 

### Taking, and not giving away

Monaco has committed the fewest turnovers and has forced the most turnovers this season. While that is interesting enough, it is even more interesting that Monaco has done so for the second consecutive season.

Monaco has recorded a league-low 9.97 turnovers per game and forced 13.5 per game, which is even with Panathinaikos as the league-best. Coach Sasa Obradovic’s men being the best in both categories for second year in a row cannot be a coincidence.

Only four Monaco players have averaged more than 1.0 turnover per game, with Mike James leading the pack with 2.1 TOpg., which is an acceptable number considering his involvement in the offense, which runs through him, and the amount of time he handles the ball.

There are 13 players who have averaged more turnovers than James this season and Monaco's second-worst in this category is Elie Okobo at 1.8 TOpg., ranking 35th in the league. With no other player in the top 75, Monaco has been doing an amazing job taking care of the basketball.

### Maccabi's double-edged sword defense

When it comes to stealing the ball and overall defense, Maccabi is one team that is different than all the others. Maccabi allows more points than any other team in the league, but actually has an opportunistic defense that picks up the most steals.

Maccabi turning defense into offense

Maccabi's league-best 7.3 steals might not be near an all-time single-season record, but it is the only team that during the regular season had eight players with at least 17 steals. Bonzie Colson leads the way with 47, fourth most in the league this season.

Such opportunistic defense acts as a double-edged sword. Maccabi has allowed a league-high 86.7 points per game, but that defensive leakage has been acceptable since all the steals often lead to transition baskets, hurting the opponents even more going the other way. That, in big part, has helped Maccabi enter the playoffs ranked first in scoring with 88.5 points per game. 

### Home-court comforts

Barcelona and Fenerbahce sport league-best 15-2 home records this season, but there are numbers that illustrate even better how much more comfortable both teams feel at home, especially offensively. Fenerbahce has averaged 92.7 points in home games, which ranks second in the league, but when we account for overtimes, Fenerbahce has the best per-40-minutes scoring offense. Meanwhile, that average drops by more than 15 points on the road, all the way down to 77.5 ppg., 13th best on the road. The second worst playoff team in that regard is Barcelona, which ranks fifth with 87.3 ppg. at home and 11th on the road (78.1 ppg.).

But that's not all. Fenerbahce has shot a league-best 44.1% at home from three-point range, and that accuracy staggeringly drops to 33.7% on the road, which was third from the bottom in the regular season. And again, Barcelona is on the similar path, ranking second in three-point shooting (39.2%) on home floor, while 15th (34.3%) on the road.

Fenerbahce's three-point shooting at home is second to none

Barca will have home-court advantage in the playoffs against Olympiacos, which is one of the three playoff teams, along with Panathinaikos and Baskonia, that has actually shot from downtown slightly better on the road. The Reds have made 37.0% of their threes in Piraeus and 37.7% away from home.

Unlike Barcelona, Fenerbahce will likely have to overcome those shooting woes and find a way to steal (at least) one game in Monaco if it wants to reach the Final Four.

While we are on the subject, one team that might be just fine playing away from home is Baskonia. Not only did Baskonia sport a fifth-best 8-9 regular season record on the road, but it led the league in scoring (87.0 ppg.) in those games, compared to ranking just 12th at home (81.4 ppg.). Baskonia also had the biggest difference in three-point shooting, making 38.3% away from home and 35.1 at its Buesa Arena during the regular season.

 

### **Panathinaikos players and big minutes** 

Panathinaikos has five players, all of its usual starters, ranked among the top 25 in average minutes-played. Mathias Lessort (28:50 mpg.) leads the list, followed by Jerian Grant (28:44 mpg.), Dinos Mitoglou (28.36 mpg.), Marius Grigonis (26.56 mpg.) and Kendrick Nunn (26:51 mpg.). Sixth man Kostas Sloukas (26:25 mpg.), who started in 12 of 27 appearances, ranks 28th. The next highest average belongs to Juancho Hernangomez (16:33 mpg.).

On the other end of the spectrum are Real and Barcelona. Facundo Campazzo and Tomas Satoransky are the leaders in minutes played for Real and Barcelona respectively, and each has averaged fewer minutes than Sloukas. Campazzo (25:21 mpg.) ranks 36th, and Satoransky (25:20 mpg.) is right behind him. They are the only players on these two teams averaging more than 25 minutes, and behind Campazzo and Satoransky, both Real and Barcelona have nine more players who have averaged more than 15 minutes per game.

**FREE TIME**: Securing a playoff ticket earns teams a little time off and in Monaco they used some of it to watch some world-class tennis.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Spending free time watching Monte-Carlo Masters? DMo and Kemba said yes to that! 🥰🎾 <a href="https://t.co/lnAUZzkRqq">pic.twitter.com/lnAUZzkRqq</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket EN (@asmonaco_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/asmonaco_en/status/1779774939249213495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

**GIVING & CARING**: Barcelona players were able to visit the children at a local hospital and give them a little joy at a challenging time.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 ✨ <a href="https://t.co/JBuSQTHBLu">pic.twitter.com/JBuSQTHBLu</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1780960483442303236?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Una tarda molt especial… ✨ <a href="https://t.co/Opxyn3t6Vh">https://t.co/Opxyn3t6Vh</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1780924317309583706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Maccabi's Rafi Menco and Tamir Blatt visited basketball teams at a  local youth camp, talked to the young players, answered questions and gave out autographs.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">רפי מנקו ותמיר בלאט ביקרו הבוקר את קבוצות הקט-סל של מחלקת הנוער במחנה פסח בהדר יוסף. הם שוחחו עם הכדורסלנים הצעירים, ענו על שאלות וחילקו חתימות 💛💙 <a href="https://t.co/3TrcOCIOyf">pic.twitter.com/3TrcOCIOyf</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱 (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1780932871978361057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**FOOD FOR THE TEAM**: Filip Petrusev celebrated his birthday by treating his teammates and Olympiacos staff to souvlaki!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">Εσεις το ζητήσατε, ο Φιλίπ<br>Πετρούσεφ το έκανε πράξη… 😂<br><br>Σήμερα (17/04) ο Σέρβος φόργουορντ έκανε (για τα γενέθλιά του) το τραπέζι σε όλα τα μέλη της ομάδας, όχι με σούσι , αλλά με παραδοσιακό, ορθόδοξο, ελληνικό σουβλάκι! <br><br>Thank you Filip! 😊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/oK9wj5TN3U">pic.twitter.com/oK9wj5TN3U</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1780566882296242401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**GIANT DINNER**: Fenerbahce held a morale-boosting dinner for all the players, staff and all their families, joined by club president Ali Koc.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Başkanımız Sayın Ali Y. Koç, Play-off öncesinde düzenlenen moral yemeğinde takımımız ve kıymetli aileleriyle bir araya geldi. 💛💙 <a href="https://t.co/bnBufy4oVG">pic.twitter.com/bnBufy4oVG</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1781787555999998177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**PLAY-IN TIMELINE**: The first-ever Play-In Showdown did not disappoint as Maccabi and Baskonia came out as the big winners.

On the opening night, it was first Maccabi that trounced Baskonia and celebrated its win at Belgrade Arena with a small but passionate group of faithful fans.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">😂😂😂 <a href="https://t.co/MFi0mg9wHR">https://t.co/MFi0mg9wHR</a></p>&mdash; Jake Cohen (@jacohen15) <a href="https://twitter.com/jacohen15/status/1780316974335004923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Inside our locker room 🎊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreMaccabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreMaccabi</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/h7YQDFm9BZ">pic.twitter.com/h7YQDFm9BZ</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱 (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1780328024325419243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">איתכם, בשבילכם 💛💙 <a href="https://t.co/aEu0esv45e">pic.twitter.com/aEu0esv45e</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱 (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1780315658850316496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Then it was Virtus, shocking a packed Sinan Erdem Dome by beating Anadolu Efes.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another ☝️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/pIihMH0vID">pic.twitter.com/pIihMH0vID</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1780543429962780689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C51qclcNs6A/?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 Marco Belinelli (@mbeli21)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Buonanotte Virtussini, 𝙊𝙉𝙀 𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙀 ‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/lQGVdcsOm4">pic.twitter.com/lQGVdcsOm4</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1780356537942237684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Finally, Baskonia prevailed over Virtus to clinch the final playoff spot.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Who would&#39;ve thought 🩶🐺 <a href="https://t.co/PYmVi9QxdB">pic.twitter.com/PYmVi9QxdB</a></p>&mdash; Codi Miller-McIntyre (@CMMPatience) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMMPatience/status/1781423449916813389?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🎬 Imágenes no aptas para cardíacos 😉<br><br>Lo de ayer fue____________ 🔥💥😍<br><br>🎥 INSIDE <a href="https://t.co/aAUDQwnUg4">pic.twitter.com/aAUDQwnUg4</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1781646997562466342?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gave the phone to <a href="https://twitter.com/markushoward11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@markushoward11</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/7zJ56Hk0nm">pic.twitter.com/7zJ56Hk0nm</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1781418908760891435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🤗 Y SÍ, ¡VOLVEMOS al PLAYOFF de <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> !<br><br>Segi dezagun ametsetan 💙❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> 🗞️ <a href="https://t.co/FqCCd0ox7c">https://t.co/FqCCd0ox7c</a> <a href="https://t.co/S718MpusJ6">pic.twitter.com/S718MpusJ6</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1781662348803260615?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡Estamos pensando el # para el PlayOff de la EuroLeague!<br><br>El jefe ha dicho que lo elija <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TwitterBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TwitterBaskonia</a>. ¿Ideas? <a href="https://t.co/G8sm9REXit">pic.twitter.com/G8sm9REXit</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1781432525942075502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The first-ever Play-In Showdown was a memorable one, all while six playoff teams used a week off to get ready for their best-of-five series. Check out our selection of social media posts from around the EuroLeague.

EuroLeague play-in week on social media

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Codi Miller-McIntyre of Baskonia dribbles past Virtus's Bryant Dunston in the play-in finale. 

Antonius Cleveland completes a fastbreak with a dunk for Maccabi against Baskonia. 

Tadas Sedekerskis and Sander Raiste of Baskonia defend against Virtus's Toko Shengelia. 

Awudu Abass of Virtus Segafredo Bologna completes a two-handed slam against Efes. 

Josh Nebo of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv denies Baskonia's Maik Kotsar.

Shane Larkin of Efes looks to shoot over Virtus center Ante Zizic.

Markus Howard of Baskonia brings the ball up while Virtus's Toko Shengelia defends. 

Iffe Lundberg of Virtus gets a fadeaway shot off over Efes's Justus Hollatz. 

Wade Baldwin of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv dunks against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Justus Hollatz of Anadolu Efes and Virtus's Alessandro Pajola dive for a loose ball.

Look back at all the action from Play-In by checking out the best photos of the week!

The Top 10 photos of the week, Play-In

Real Madrid and Baskonia will face off in the EuroLeague Playoffs, with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

Breakdown: Real Madrid vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Real Madrid was the last team to discover its opponent in the [Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/), but it now knows that it will take on Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in a best-of-five series starting on Tuesday.

*Los Blancos* closed the regular season at the top of the standings with a 27-7 record, while Baskonia finished eighth with an 18-16 mark, giving it two shots in the Play-In Showdown. Despite losing heavily on the road to Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in the first round of the play-in, Dusko Ivanovic’s group responded a few days later by beating Virtus Segafredo Bologna and thus setting up a series with Real Madrid.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔝 ¡Una Fase Regular histórica en <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a>!<br>🙌 27 victorias en 34 partidos<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> <a href="https://t.co/z4HWyHqq8W">pic.twitter.com/z4HWyHqq8W</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1778785143190405590?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Their playoff history

While Real Madrid last failed to make the EuroLeague Playoffs in the 2011-12 season, meaning it has reached the postseason in each of the last 11 campaigns (ignoring the 2019-20 season which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Real second in the standings with a 22-6 mark), Baskonia has returned to the playoffs after a five-year absence. The last time that Baskonia fans got to see their team feature in the playoffs was in the 2018-19 season.

To date, Real Madrid has gone 10-6 in its playoff series, which includes a first-round win in 2000-01 before losing in the quarterfinals. Its most recent series defeat coming against Anadolu Efes Istanbul in 2020-21, but since then the Spanish giant has eliminated Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2021-22) and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2022-23) on its way to the Final Four. In 60 postseason games in the EuroLeague this century, Real Madrid has posted a 35-25 record and reached the Final Four nine times, winning the championship three times.

A pair of Goliaths from European basketball battle for continental glory as the Reds and Los Blancos square off at Žalgirio arena. These teams boast some of the top players in the competition, but whose talents will come to the fore and secure the ultimate prize?

Olympiacos Piraeus vs Real Madrid - Championship Game - Highlights

For Baskonia, it is a different story. The 2000-01 season saw the Spanish club make it through the first round, the quarterfinals and the semifinals before losing to Virtus Segafredo Bologna in the EuroLeague Finals. It then returned to the championship game in the 2004-05 campaign, when it lost to Maccabi. Including its three series wins in 2000-01, Baskonia has gone 8-8 in its playoff series in the EuroLeague. However, it is 1-7 over its last eight series. Since the introduction of the Final Four format in 2002, the team from Vitoria-Gasteiz has made it to the Final Four five times: in four straight seasons between 2005 and 2008, then in 2015-16. Through 63 postseason games, Baskonia has a 29-34 record.

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz - CSKA Moscow Highlights | 2018-19 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague PO Game 4

Facing a domestic opponent often adds another sense of intrigue to a playoff series, so how have Real Madrid and Baskonia done when they’ve faced a fellow Spanish foe in the EuroLeague Playoffs? Real Madrid has come up against Spanish opposition three times in the playoffs, winning one series and losing twice. FC Barcelona twice defeated *Los Blancos* 3-1 in playoff series, doing so in 2005-06 and 2009-10, while Real Madrid downed Valencia Basket 3-2 in 2010-11. Baskonia has only faced a Spanish team once in the EuroLeague Playoffs, losing 3-2 to Barcelona in 2008-09.

### Real Madrid, Baskonia full of confidence

Real Madrid went 22-4 through the first 26 rounds of the regular season, but a three-game winning streak between Round 27 and 29 caused some to wonder if Chus Mateo’s squad might be fading at just the wrong time. However, a 5-1 end to the regular season resulted in *Los Blancos* quietening those doubts. Baskonia, meanwhile, got two big road wins to close the regular season and then responded to its first-round play-in loss to Maccabi by stepping up to beat Virtus on Friday night.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🤗 Y SÍ, ¡VOLVEMOS al PLAYOFF de <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> !<br><br>Segi dezagun ametsetan 💙❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> 🗞️ <a href="https://t.co/FqCCd0ox7c">https://t.co/FqCCd0ox7c</a> <a href="https://t.co/S718MpusJ6">pic.twitter.com/S718MpusJ6</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1781662348803260615?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

However, that one defeat for Real Madrid – and one of those road wins for Baskonia – came at WiZink Center as Coach Ivanovic’s men grabbed a 91-95 win against the reigning champs. Markus Howard tied his career high in points by dropping 35 on *Los Blancos*, and he’s coming off a game against Virtus in which he hit 8 three-pointers, including 4 in the third quarter to help Baskonia pull away. That win over Virtus and its recent triumph in the Spanish capital should mean that Baskonia comes into this series with a no-fear approach.

In fact, Baskonia holds a 10-8 advantage over Real Madrid in the all-time series between these two, and it has won on its last two trips to WiZink Center in the EuroLeague, having also secured an 81-85 triumph there in 2022-23. Baskonia has gone 3-1 against the reigning EuroLeague champion over the last two seasons, but the winning margin in those four games has never been more than six points: 92-86 and 81-85 to Baskonia in 2022-23, then 77-79 to Real Madrid and 91-95 to Baskonia in 2023-24.

Real Madrid and Baskonia know each other inside out, but it should be fascinating to see how the series develops. Make sure to catch all the action on EuroLeague TV, starting on Tuesday night at 21:00 CEST.

The domestic rivals will face off knowing that a Final Four spot is on the line