In addition to the playoff intensity, many storylines add spice to this matchup

Zalgiris, Milan to meet in make-or-break game

In what is shaping up as a critical game in the Play-In Showdown race, [Zalgiris Kaunas (13-18) will take on EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (14-17)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/285/) in front of a lively crowd at Zalgirio Arena. 

### Zalgiris: perfect vs. Italians 

Zalgiris has been perfect against Italian teams so far this season, getting three wins in as many games. [Zalgiris downed Milan 70-83](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/96/) at the Forum in Round 11. [Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/edgaras-ulanovas/002329/) had a season-high 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for a PIR of 32, which is one shy of his personal best. [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/) added 19 points while [Rolands Smits](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rolands-smits/007109/) 16. [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) led Milan with 21 points. After that victory, Zalgiris went on a six-game losing streak and head coach Kazys Maksvytis was replaced by Andrea Trinchieri. 

It's a meeting between two of the four teams tied for 12th, rapidly improving Milan pursue another success in the midst of their resurgence at the expense of Zalgiris, which are enduring a troublesome period having fallen in five of the last six EuroLeague encounters, including three straight on the road.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 11 | Highlights

Zalgiris has also defeated Virtus Segafredo Bologna twice: 79-82 in Round 1 at Paladozza behind 25 points from Evans and 96-81 at home in Round 31 with 16 points from Edmond Sumner. As such, Zalgiris has a chance to go 4-0 against the two Italian teams this season. Only Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens has been able to beat both Milan and Virtus twice this season. 

### Trinchieri's expertise 

Born in Milan, Trinchieri knows a thing or two about his opponent this week, especially about its frontcourt. Trinchieri coached Milan power forward [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) for two seasons, from 2015 to 2017, with German side Brose Bamberg. With Trinchieri as coach, Melli earned MVP of the Month honors twice, in November 2015 and December 2016, and was also chosen to the 2016-17 All-EuroLeague Second Team. Melli and Trinchieri also helped Bamberg win back-to-back German League championships in 2016 and 2017.

Trinchieri has more links to Milan's frontcourt. Four-time EuroLeague champion [Kyle Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kyle-hines/002812/) started his professional career with Prima Veroli of the Italian second division, where he played under Coach Trinchieri for two years. Hines often praises Coach Trinchieri for teaching him the basics of European basketball and putting him on the right path to becoming the player he ended up as. 

Trinchieri is 3-8 against Milan coach Ettore Messina. Both coaches' biggest matchup in the EuroLeague came in the 2021 playoffs. Messina's Milan and FC Bayern Munich's Trinchieri delivered an unforgettable five-game series in which Milan prevailed in Game 5. It was Milan's only Final Four appearance since 1992. 

### Shields, Mirotic in Kaunas 

Shields and [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) have been on fire lately, helping Milan to win three of its last four EuroLeague games to stay in the play-in race. Over the last four games, Shields has averaged 15.3 points on 19 of 22 two-point shooting, 4.3 assists and a PIR of 21.0. Mirotic was equally brilliant, averaging 18.5 points on perfect free-throw shooting (18 of 18), 5.3 rebounds and a PIR of 20.5. It will be a special game for both Mirotic and Shields, for different reasons. 

Speaking of free-throw perfection, Mirotic set a EuroLeague record at Zalgirio Arena that still stands over a decade later. Playing for Real Madrid, Mirotic set a record for most free throws made without a miss (18) in a 104-105 victory over Zalgiris on March 7, 2013. He finished the game with 31 points, 11 rebounds and a PIR of 37, at age 22. In 16 career games against Zalgiris, Mirotic has averaged 16.5 points and 4.0 rebounds for a PIR of 18.2. 

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan forward Shavon Shields is 3-0 at Zalgirio Arena but has not played there since 2021.

Shavon Shields: undefeated al Zalgirio Arena

Shields is in a completely different situation, as this will be his first game at Zalgirio Arena in a while. He missed Milan's showdowns in that building in 2022 and 2023 due to injury, so Shields's last appearance at Zalgirio Arena came on March 5, 2021. He led Milan to a 64-69 road victory with 23 points, 4 rebounds and a PIR of 27. Shields is, indeed, undefeated on the road against Zalgiris, averaging 18.7 points on excellent shooting (65.0% 2FG, 50.0% 3FG) and a PIR of 20.0 in three games, two with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and one with Milan. 

Zalgiris Kaunas v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-03-28T18:00:00.000Z)

The inaugural Hoop District tournament begins in Paris, France, on Saturday, so we caught up with Team Barcelona captain Tresco to find out a little more about him and his thoughts leading up to the event at Adidas Arena.

Getting to know: Tresco, Team Barcelona captain

The inaugural [Hoop District](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-basketball-launches-3x3-content-creators-tournament-hoop-district/) tournament begins in Paris, France, on Saturday, so we caught up with Team Barcelona captain [Tresco](https://www.instagram.com/tresco_ball/) to find out a little more about him and his thoughts leading up to the event at Adidas Arena.

This is the fourth of six ‘getting to know’ interviews with the Hoop District captains that will be dropping this week. Find out what Tresco had to say below.

**Tell us about yourself. Who is Tresco?**

“I’m a Spanish YouTuber and I’ve been doing basketball content for about seven years now. I’ve been doing lots of different types of content, but what I like the most is to play and do projects that require other people to play: 3x3, 4x4, streetball. So when I heard about Hoop District, I thought it was a perfect fit for my community. I’m so happy to represent the whole Spanish community in this huge event.”

<center>
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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;">Ver esta publicación en 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/reel/C4bGbeIsVv_/?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">Una publicación compartida de Oriol Tres (@tresco_ball)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**How did you come up with the name Tresco? What does it mean?**

“So my two last names are Tres Escorihuela, so I played with it a little bit to make my mom and my dad happy. Tresco is the name I used to play with on game consoles for video games, so once I had a YouTube channel, I put it right away.”

 

**How did you fall in love with the game of basketball?**

“I started playing when I was very, very young – when I was three years old. My mom was a coach and my brother was playing, so I had to spend time after school at the club, but I was too young to join the team. My mom let me play with the bigger guys and then I started playing a lot with my brother. I became pretty good and ended up playing for \[FC\] Barcelona at youth level, and everything followed after that.”

 

**You created the event ‘Ballers’, what was the inspiration behind that?**

“So for me, ‘Ballers’ is my masterpiece after all these years. I took all my knowledge from basketball, also from content creation, and I got different inspirations – from content creators to TV shows. I chose the parts that I liked the most to create ‘Ballers’, so it was amazing. We had inspirations from AND1 streetball from the early 2000s, also from the Kings League here in Spain, which has made a big impact by having debates after the game, not just creating content on the games but also around the games. I also had ideas from American YouTubers who travel to different cities and compete against local teams, so it’s a mix of everything. We really think that it’s a great product, and hopefully this second season this year will go even better.”

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctl8UqDMSgJ/?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/Ctl8UqDMSgJ/?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;">Ver esta publicación en 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/Ctl8UqDMSgJ/?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">Una publicación compartida de BALLERS: El último tiro (@ballerselultimotiro)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**Is there a particular basketball-related moment during your time as an influencer that particularly stands out?**

“I have a lot! I would say that the opportunity to meet huge basketball stars. With the EuroLeague, [with the project ‘The Eurogame’](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCMBQwzlKmE) a couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to spend time with Ricky Rubio, which for me as a Spanish point guard, it was just an incredible experience. Also with Nike, I met Giannis \[Antetokounmpo\] when he brought out his first sneaker, so I would say those experiences. I’d also say ‘Ballers’. If I had to choose one of the cities, I would choose ‘Ballers: Madrid’, where it was just unreal – there were more than 1,000 people watching a game created by myself!”

**Have any EuroLeague players inspired you? Who were your idols as a kid and also in present day?**

“I’ve been following the EuroLeague for a long time, and I’m a Barcelona fan, as you can expect. My favorite player of all time is Juan Carlos Navarro. As a player, I used to love Vassilis Spanoulis. I would say that these two are just crazy. I would also say some Real Madrid players. I played against Luka Doncic and I know him personally, so seeing him so well in the EuroLeague and now in the NBA is unreal. I have a lot of inspirations from the EuroLeague.”

<center>
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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;">Ver esta publicación en 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/Cd0_LzyISlR/?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">Una publicación compartida de Oriol Tres (@tresco_ball)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**When you’re out on the court, which EuroLeague player most closely resembles your style of play?**

“I’m much, much worse than any name I could say, but as for the style of play, I would say Sergio ‘Chacho’ Rodriguez because I am a point guard, really creative, and I like to shoot as well. Not much defense – I hope he doesn’t hear me – but very creative, trying to find the best option for the team. Skinny, a bit short, but really fun to watch. With a lot of distance, but I would say ‘Chacho’.”

 

**What criteria did you look for when picking your team?**

“I think it was a tough decision. Knowing that we had to do two guys and two girls, which I think is amazing, I firstly chose to have another creator with me as this event is created to play but also to create. Having Ari Geli on my team is something that I wouldn’t have even thought about because we’ve never been in a project together, and we’re two of the most powerful content creators here in Spain. After having Ari, for the two remaining places we developed a one-on-one tournament for all the community, which I think is the fairest way to do it if we want to say that we are representing the whole Spanish community. In the tournament, the best person wins and there’s nothing more to talk about – it was the best option. Last Saturday \[March 16\] we had this event and it was amazing to see 16 guys fighting for that place. Imanol won and we are so happy to have him. I’m sure he’ll represent us in the best way possible.”

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C40lliqsgKa/?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/C40lliqsgKa/?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; 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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/C40lliqsgKa/?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">Una publicación compartida de Oriol Tres (@tresco_ball)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**Which Hoop District team could be the trickiest to face?**

“Paris, for sure, as they’re playing at home. Also Berlin. Whoever classifies is going to play against Berlin at their home and with a huge prize, so I’m sure they’ll go for the whole thing. I’ll also say the Italians, both Team Milan and Team Bologna. I think Italy has a great basketball culture. They’ll have a lot of energy and they’re very hot-blooded, so they’ll fight very hard.” 

 

**What does it mean for you to be a Team Captain?**

“I’m really proud. For me, being chosen from all the creators that are here in Spain – one of the toughest communities because we have a lot of creators – is a pleasure, it’s an honor, but it’s also a responsibility to make the best decisions so that the community is represented in the best way possible. That’s why we did this 1x1 event. We had some creators play – they didn’t end up winning – but for me, it was meaningful that they got involved and they went there on a Saturday morning to fight for one spot. It meant that our job to represent the community was successful. I’m so happy that everyone is involved in Team Barcelona. It’s an honor, but also a responsibility to do it in the best way possible because we need to win. We want to be the best community here.”

Over the course of this week, Euroleague.net will be posting interviews with the Hoop District team captains

Wade Baldwin and Josh Nebo led Maccabi Tel Aviv BC in a 90-75 win over Valencia Basket, although several role players also impressed on the night.

Baldwin, Nebo remain on fire as Maccabi dreams of top-six finish 

Being able to lean on [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) and [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) must be a pretty nice feeling for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv head coach Oded Kattash. 

In [Wednesday night’s 90-75 win over Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-maccabi-tel-aviv-bc-vs-valencia-basket/), the Maccabi tactician was able to witness Baldwin and Nebo take over the game at different points as Maccabi secured its 19th win of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season and its sixth in a row.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">15 W&#39;s in a row! 💪 <a href="https://t.co/zgKZ01DTh8">pic.twitter.com/zgKZ01DTh8</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1773100964951548132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Baldwin, Nebo playing at an MVP level

There has been no stopping Baldwin and Nebo, in particular, over the last month or so, which should result in one of the Maccabi men ending up with the EuroLeague's MVP of the Month award for March. Both players finished with a 23 PIR in the Valencia victory, with Baldwin posting 17 points, 3 boards, 4 assists and 4 steals while Nebo had 15 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks, which is further evidence of the impact this tandem is having on games at the moment.

Nebo reached double figures in points for an eighth straight game, compared to 17 consecutive games for Baldwin, and it doesn’t look like there’s any stopping them at the moment. As Baldwin explained to the TV cameras after the Valencia win, though, Maccabi has no plans to slow down any time soon as it goes in search of a top-six place, which would guarantee direct access to the playoffs.

“We’ve got to win the next two games in order to make the top six and hope some teams lose on top \[of that\],” said Baldwin. “We’re doing what we need to do and winning the games that are there for us. We have two more – obviously we’d like to finish out with two \[more\] wins.”

Wade Baldwin was interviewed by the cameras after Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv beat Valencia Basket 90-75 in Round 32 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Wade Baldwin speaks post-Valencia win

### Maccabi's role players stepped up

The sign of a good team is one that has bench players regularly stepping up at different points of the game, and there were winning plays made by Maccabi’s players time and time again on Wednesday night.

In the first quarter, Maccabi big man [Jasiel Rivero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jasiel-rivero/011214/) reminded his former team of his quality by scoring 6 points in just 3:29 minutes on the court. Then, in the second period, [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) and [Antonius Cleveland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/antonius-cleveland/012744/) both got off the mark with 6 points apiece, as did ex-Valencia power forward [James Webb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/james-webb-iii/011971/), who netted 5 second-quarter points. That output, particularly in the second quarter, allowed Maccabi to make it a double-digit ballgame, with the hosts leading 48-38 at the interval.

Another role player who made his presence felt was team captain [John DiBartolomeo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/john-dibartolomeo/007990/), who wreaking havoc in the final minutes of the third quarter. First, he scored a tough mid-range jumper as the shot clock was about to expire to put Maccabi 66-53 ahead, which must have been incredibly frustrating for Valencia. Then, shortly after, he stole the ball from Semi Ojeleye in Valencia’s backcourt before having it passed back to him for a corner three as Maccabi set what was then a new game-high lead of 16 points, 71-55.

The likes of Jasiel Rivero, James Webb, John DiBartolomeo and Antonius Cleveland all impressed as Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv beat Valencia Basket 90-75 in Round 32 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Maccabi's role players stepped up vs. Valencia

The final quarter saw Baldwin and Nebo put the game to bed, but Maccabi regularly got timely contributions from almost its entire roster against Valencia. Come the final buzzer, Maccabi’s starters had contributed 52 of the team’s 90 points, with the bench adding 43. That is the type of thing that will please Coach Kattash, especially with postseason basketball not far away.

Wade Baldwin of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv looks to score against Valencia Basket in Round 32 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The two stars showed why they are the frontrunners for the MVP of the Month award

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Valencia Basket (2024-03-27T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Tel Aviv BC won for the sixth game in a row in the EuroLeague by defeating Valencia Basket 95-80 in Round 32.

Maccabi Tel Aviv BC keeps rolling with win over Valencia Basket, 95-80

<incrowd-live-blog id="66040358c4a8cb5d4ea17eac" client-id="EUROLEAGUE" server="standard"></incrowd-live-blog><script src="https://live-blog.incrowdsports.com/index.js"></script>

Jasiel Rivero of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv pumps his fist during his team's win against Valencia Basket in Round 32 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Wade Baldwin and Josh Nebo shined as the Israeli side recorded its sixth straight victory

Maccabi keeps rolling with win over Valencia, 95-80

With three games left before the completion of the EuroLeague Regular Season, the MVP picture is becoming clearer and clearer. So much so that we might as well be looking at an image of Mike James.

James is the undisputed MVP favorite, standing out as one of the very few players who can combine prolific numbers with a strong team record. No one can shake him from first place on the MVP Ladder.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1650398/euroleague-2023-24-mvp-ladder-by-eurohoops-vol-4/)

Eurohoops presents the fourth edition of the 2023-24 EuroLeague MVP Ladder

EuroLeague 2023-24 MVP Ladder by Eurohoops Vol. 4

Check out some bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 32 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Bold predictions for Round 32

### Maccabi will complete a perfect March

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

The Israeli champs went through a rough patch with three straight losses between Rounds 25 and 27 that saw them tumble down to 10th in the standings, casting doubt on whether Maccabi could even stay in the hunt to reach the Play-In Showdown. Five straight wins later, head coach Oded Kattash's men are in a different place (seventh) with the possibility of reaching the top six very much alive. For that to happen, however, Maccabi will likely need to win out. It shan't be easy against a Valencia side hunting a play-in spot of its own, but Valencia is ailing and Maccabi is red hot. Wade Baldwin and Josh Nebo should deliver Maccabi a win on Wednesday to make it the lone undefeated team in March.

### Milan will conquer Zalgirio Arena

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

It is a make-or-break game for both teams in the crowded battle for 10th place. Zalgiris Kaunas hosts EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Round 32's opener. Zalgiris is undefeated against Italian teams this season and took a 13-point victory over Milan in Round 11. It is a very different Milan team this time around. First, it will be Shavon Shields's first visit to Zalgirio Arena since 2021, and he arrives in great shape. Nikola Mirotic has also found his rhythm, and the fact that Rolands Smits has been out for two games gives Milan an advantage at power forward. Head coach Ettore Messina can use Mirotic, Nicolo Melli and even Johannes Voigtmann against Brady Manek and Arnas Butkevicius. Stopping Keenan Evans should be Milan's main goal but the guests have enough defensive weapons such as Stefano Tonut and Devon Hall. Milan should be on its way to a fourth victory in five games. 

Partizan's outstanding home form was disturbed with a defeat to Real Madrid and they'll long for recovery via the energy and versatility of James Nunnally, whereas the Reds hope to repeat the feat of Moustapha Fall's frontcourt dominance after he helped them grab 18 offensive rebounds in the first meeting.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs Olympiacos Piraeus | Round 32 | Trailer

### Olympiacos to all but end Partizan's play-in hopes

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

We are well and truly at the business end of the campaign, where each win feels like it is worth double and each loss has the possibility to derail a season's work. There are just three regular-season games remaining and a heavyweight clash at Stark Arena could have major implications, with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade chasing a play-in spot and Olympiacos Piraeus aiming to stay in the top six, which ensures direct qualification to the playoffs. Partizan has blown hot and cold too often this season, hence it's 11th place in the standings, and I think the hosts will have another frustrating night against Olympiacos, which boasts the No. 1 defense in the EuroLeague. The Reds have won seven of their last eight games and I think they'll gain a greater stranglehold on a top-six spot by effectively ending Partizan's postseason hopes on Thursday night. Depending on other results, a win on Thursday could see the Reds confirm their playoff place by the end of Round 32, as well.

### Bayern will prolong Barca's wait

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

FC Bayern and FC Barcelona have lost two games in a row and three of their last five, the former to face possible elimination this week and the latter to postpone its entry into the playoffs and jeopardize its chances of home-court advantage. So which will be hungrier when the meet in Munich on Thursday? I say Bayern, which is one win off a group of four teams tied for 10th place, the last Play-In Showdown spot. Of those four, Bayern swept one, Partizan, and split with the others, Milan, Efes and Valencia, though losing the point difference in each of those. A win on Thursday puts Bayern right back in the mix, and is it's best chance of surviving. Pablo Laso's squad has played really well in stretches this season and would be even better positioned except for a key missed shot or two recently. Also, Bayern suffered a 39-point whupping in Barcelona back in Round 4, and any EuroLeague team worth its name will want to rectify that by winning back against the same team. Bayern pride has to matter a lot on Thursday.

A pair of giants take to the European stage bidding to restore winning-ways and revive their respective postseason aspirations. Two veteran Spanish stars could dominate in different ways, with Bayern hoping to control the paint through Serge Ibaka while Barça looks for orchestration from Ricky Rubio.

FC Bayern Munich vs FC Barcelona | Round 32 | Trailer

### Efes will prevail at feel-good Buesa Arena

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

After a double-round success last week, and wins over Olympiacos and ALBA, the latter one in a thriller, Efes goes to Vitoria-Gasteiz hoping to continue its late postseason push. The Buesa Arena is a place of many great memories for Efes players. Shane Larkin, Rodrigue Beaubois and Tibor Pleiss all played for Baskonia in the past and feel respect from the local fans. All three, alongside Efes head coach Tomislav Mijatovic, reached the championship game there in 2019. They lost the title to their current teammate Will Clyburn, playing for CSKA Moscow at the time, who won the Final Four MVP honor at Buesa Arena. This game feels like it's must-win for both teams. Baskonia will mathematically secure a Play-In Showdown spot with a win and inch it closer to hosting at least one play-in game. But I believe that Efes will be the one celebrating at the end of the night. Efes has scored 102 or more points in four of its last five road games against Baskonia, and I think that Larkin and Clyburn will have its offense clicking once again at Buesa Arena on Thursday night.

FC Bayern Munich v FC Barcelona (2024-03-28T19:30:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-03-29T19:30:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v AS Monaco (2024-03-28T20:00:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-03-29T19:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v ALBA Berlin (2024-03-29T17:45:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-03-28T19:30:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-03-28T19:30:00.000Z)

A Quarter with Kyle Hines: President David Kahn discusses the growth of Paris Basketball

Paris Basketball has been one of the hottest teams on the continent this season, so it is only natural that club president David Kahn is the latest guest on A Quarter with Kyle Hines. Over the course of almost 25 minutes, Kahn explains the trajectory Paris has been on since its inception in 2018 and how this team, led by head coach Tuomas Iisalo and star players TJ Shorts and Nadir Hifi, has serious aims of winning the BKT EuroCup and rising to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. It hasn't been plain sailing for Paris since Kahn's project began, as he explains, but with a winning team and a brand-new gym, Adidas Arena, it's certainly a good time to be a fan of basketball in the French capital.

“A dream of a lifetime, but dreams don't just happen by accident”

A Quarter with Kyle Hines: Club president David Kahn discusses the growth of Paris Basketball

Getting to know: Valentina Vignali, Team Milan captain

The countdown to [Hoop District](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-basketball-launches-3x3-content-creators-tournament-hoop-district/) is well and truly on, with just three days until the action commences at the brand-new adidas arena in Paris, France. In order to get to know the team captains a little better, we had a fascinating conversation with Team Milan captain [Valentina Vignali](https://www.instagram.com/valentinavignali/).

This is the third of six "getting to know" interviews with the Hoop District captains that will be dropping this week. Here's what we found out.

**Tell us about yourself. Who is Valentina Vignali?**

"I am just a normal girl who loves basketball and fashion. I also love animals and travelling – I'm just a normal girl with a lot of hobbies."

**How did you fall in love with the game of basketball?**

"I fell in love with basketball when I was eight years old. I used to be a dancer when I was a kid, but then I realized that I was really, really tall – I was like 1.74m when I was like eight or nine years old. I remember one day they sent a letter to all the parents saying: ‘Do you want your kid to play this game or try this sport?' I got this letter from a basketball team in Rimini, my hometown, and my dad came to me saying: ‘Do you want to try it?' And I said: ‘Why not?' Then I started to play basketball in 1999. I kept it going with the ballerina stuff for a couple more years, but then I realized that I was really tall and my body was a problem to be a dancer instead of \[playing\] basketball; in the game of basketball, the fact I was so tall was good. I felt so comfortable playing basketball instead of being a dancer because a good dancer is not that tall. That's why I chose basketball at that point – I was 12, maybe – but I started at eight years old."

<center>
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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/reel/C43FKciLg37/?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 Valentina Vignali (@valentinavignali)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**What made you want to become a basketball content creator?**

"I have to say that being a basketball content creator is a consequence of being a basketball player. I started using my social media, with Facebook back in 2008, 2009, when I was at school. I used to post pictures of me playing basketball, some videos, and also some modelling stuff because I became a model when I was 15 years old. Then I just kept it going!" 

**You were diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2013 at age 21. How did you react when you heard the news?**

"When I realized that I got cancer in 2013, I was 21. At the beginning, I didn't realize how serious the situation was because I was a kid. When you're 21, you think you're invincible, that nothing can stop you, and you're so young that you've got your whole life in front of you. I was like: 'I don't know what's going on. I don't know what I have to do.' But I wasn't scared, I wasn't scared at all. It's crazy. People around me were really, really scared: my parents, my friends, my ex-boyfriend. But I wasn't. I just thought: 'So, what am I supposed to do now?' Then, when the doctors discussed a type of therapy, I was like: 'Whatever I have to do, I'm going to do it.' My mindset was like that at that time."

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0w-iH5oduN/?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/C0w-iH5oduN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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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/C0w-iH5oduN/?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 Valentina Vignali (@valentinavignali)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**What sort of impact did that diagnosis have on you in the years that followed? Does it still impact you today?**

"The fact that I had cancer doesn't impact me nowadays because when you've had cancer, you know that anything could happen. Even if you heal it, one day it could happen that when you have a check, the cancer could come back – it's a possibility. I just live my life being the most relaxed I can be and enjoying the small things. The problem was the first years after they told me that I had cancer because they were some really tough years. I had to take this medication, have the surgery, and basketball and my job were everything that I had. When you're 22-23 years old and you play basketball, you're in the middle of your career. I remember that I had to change the league I was in: I was in A \[first division\] and B \[second division\] and I had to play in C \[third division\], but I never stopped playing basketball, I just switched leagues to try to play. But it wasn't easy. I remember during the treatment after the surgery, \[the effects\] lasted for two years. I was really, really weak and I had to sleep 15-18 hours per day, but I always wanted to go to practice with my teammates. But I was really weak, so sometimes I used to run for 15 minutes and then I was done. I couldn't do any more, and it was tough. sometimes I felt really cold, sometimes really hot – the temperature of your body, because of the thyroid, was really tough."

 

**Did basketball act like a safe haven during that time?**

"Basketball was a safe place for me during that time because on my worst days, when I was thinking that I can't get up from my bed, I would think: 'Okay, at 6-7, I have my practice with my teammates. My teammates are rooting for me, they're waiting for me. Even if it's just 10 minutes or 20 minutes running or shooting, they're waiting for me, so Valentina, please get up from this bed and go to practice.' So yes, it was a safe place. The doctors, treatment and everything saved me, but basketball saved my mind."

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**What is your style of play on the court?**

"I am a power forward. I play 'four', sometimes I play in the post. Usually the girls that play the 'five' are bigger and heavier than me, so I used to play a little bit more outside as a 'four', a power forward. I love shooting!"

 **Which Hoop District team could be the trickiest to face?**

"Oh, this is a tough question. Maybe the Spanish team. In Spain, basketball is big, so maybe they're ready for the war. I'll go with the Spanish team."

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 **What does it mean for you to be a team captain?**

"I've never been a captain of a team because of my behavior and who I am. I'm really emotional, I get angry, I get sad sometimes, I get mad sometimes, so I'm really emotional. Every time the coach was looking for a captain, he didn't choose me, so this is my first time. It will be a challenge for me to stay quiet and try to do my best for my teammates. They're all friends, though, so I'll try to do my best!"

With the regular season hurtling towards a finish, teams are aiming to take part in the postseason, one way or another. Here are the teams with possibilities to reach some postseason goal this week.

Postseason possibilities: Up to five teams can join playoffs in Round 32

## Playoff Possibilities

#### REAL MADRID

[Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2023-24) (25-6) already clinched first place.

#### FC BARCELONA

Despite losing three of its last five games, [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/roster/bar/?season=2023-24) (20-11) can ink its name into the top six in Round 32 should it win its road game at FC Bayern Munich (13-18) on Thursday and get a little help. Barca's victory will be enough when it happens if Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (18-13) loses to Valencia Basket (14-17) on Wednesday. Should Maccabi win, though, losses by either Olympiacos (19-12) in its visit to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (14-17) on Thursday or Fenerbahce (19-12) at home vs. ALBA Berlin (5-26) on Friday will suffice. In all cases, Barca must win in Munich, however. Otherwise, it must wait to qualify for the playoffs. In no case can Barcelona also clinch home-court advantage in the playoffs this week.

#### AS MONACO

[AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2023-24) (20-11) is the only team that can reach the playoffs this week without winning its own game, a French League derby visit to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (7-24) on Thursday. Monaco has a few options to qualify if it wins that game. One is if Maccabi loses. Another is if Barca loses. And a third is if both Fenerbahce and Olympiacos lose. Nonetheless, Monaco can sneak into the playoffs despite losing if Maccabi loses, while Panathinaikos (20-11), which visits Virtus (17-14) on Friday, wins. Whatever happens, Monaco has no option for home-court advantage in the playoffs in Round 32.

#### PANATHINAIKOS AKTOR ATHENS

Much like the other would-be qualifiers this week, [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2023-24) (20-11) will see the door open to the playoffs with a victory if Maccabi has already lost by the time of tip off in Bologna on Friday. If Maccabi has already won, the only options for the Greens will be if both Olympiacos and Fenerbahce have lost already. Panathinaikos has no chance to lock up a top-four finish in Round 32.

#### FENERBAHCE BEKO ISTANBUL

Well before it plays on Friday, [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2023-24)'s chances of reaching the playoffs this week are conditioned on Maccabi losing on Wednesday. If Maccabi wins, a victory against ALBA at home on Friday won't be enough for Fenerbahce. But even if Maccabi has already lost, Fenerbahce needs either Olympiacos to win on Thursday or Virtus to lose on Friday, as well, in order to secure a top-six finish. Home-court advantage is out of reach for Fenerbahce in Round 32.

#### OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS

Besides needing Maccabi to lose on Wednesday, [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2023-24) must win at Partizan and get help from other results in order to make the playoffs this week. Assuming both, Olympiacos can qualify if both Barcelona and Fenerbahce also win. Failing that, its own win combined with losses by Maccabi and Virtus will be enough for the Reds to advance, but with no top-four option yet.

#### Play-In Showdown Possibilities

#### VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA

Virtus (17-14) has plenty of incentive going into its Friday home game with Panathinaikos, because a win will guarantee the Italian club at least a place in the Play-In Showdown. However, Virtus might not even need to win to claim that achievement if two of three other teams lose. Any combination of Valencia being defeated by Maccabi on Wednesday, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (14-17) falling at Zalgiris Kaunas (13-18) on Thursday or Anadolu Efes Istanbul losing to host Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (16-15), also on Thursday, will be enough for Virtus to clinch a top-10 finish.

#### BASKONIA VITORIA-GASTEIZ

For Baskonia, a place in the postseason this week is very simple. Defeating Efes at home on Thursday guarantees Baskonia's place in the Play-In Showdown.

#### Elimination Possibilities

Meanwhile, several teams run the risk of being eliminated from postseason contention should they lose their games this week, although several of those would stay alive if other teams win.

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) (13-18) has the most precarious position, because a loss at home to Milan by more than six points would spell the end to its Play-In Showdown options. Losing at all is a problem for Zalgiris, too, because if either Valencia or Partizan win, the Lithuanian team, then would see all postseason options disappear.

[FC Bayern](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/) (13-18) has a similar problem to Zalgiris. A loss at home to Barcelona would stop its postseason dreams, but only if both Partizan and Valencia win.

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) (14-16) has things a tad less risky. First it must lose, but then both Valencia and Partizan must win, and then Bayern must lose. Only that four-result combination would keep Efes from remaining in contention for the Play-In Showdown.