In a high-scoring Round 26 battle, Anadolu Efes Istanbul topped Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 105-91 in Riga, Latvia. Efes took advantage of a career-best effort from one of its players coming off the bench to take this important win. 


Osmani is Efes's X-factor in Riga 

In a high-scoring Round 26 battle, Anadolu Efes Istanbul topped Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 105-91 in Riga, Latvia. Efes took advantage of a career-best effort from one of its players coming off the bench to take this important win. 

Efes was without its two most recently signed big men, Dan Oturu and Mike Daum, so Ercan Osmani had an opportunity to see extended playing time and made the most out of it. Osmani stepped on the floor for the first time early in the second quarter and made things happen with 5 rebounds before halftime. Osmani added a put-back layup and a three-pointer to help Efes stay within 50-51 at halftime.

Osmani sat out in the third quarter and returned to action at the start of the fourth period. He found space for an uncontested layup, and soon added a jump hook in the lane and a backdoor basket to boost Efes's lead to 85-78, forcing Maccabi to call a much-needed timeout. He added a pair of free throws late in the game to round out a great individual performance.

Ercan Osmani of Anadolu Efes Istanbul finished the game with career-highs of 13 points, 7 rebounds and a PIR of 20. Before this game, he averaged 1.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and a PIR of 1.0 this season.

Osmani led Efes past Maccabi

Osmani finished the game with career-highs of 13 points, 7 rebounds and a PIR of 20. Before this game, he averaged 1.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and a PIR of 1.0 this season. Osmani only missed one shot against Maccabi, hitting 4 of 5 two-pointers, his only three-pointer and 2 foul shots.

"Now, I am a little bit tired because it has been a long time that I don't play like that," Osmani joked after the game. "First of all, I want to thank the fans to coming here and supporting us. I tried to help my team get the win. We were a little bit bad on defense. We need to improve more, I think, but managed to play well on offense and took the game."

Efes is 2-0 since longtime assistant Tomislav Mijatovic was promoted to the head coaching spot. Osmani proved that with a new coach come new opportunities, and that Efes's bench might be deeper that most people think despite its many injuries throughout the season. Only Shane Larkin and Darius Thompson have been able to play in all 26 EuroLeague games this season.

Game News

Game Videos

The 25-year-old big man enjoyed personal bests in points, rebounds and index rating. 

Ercan Osmani was Efes's X-factor in Riga 

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-02-08T17:30:00.000Z)

Codi Miller-McIntyre made history as Saski Baskonia beat LDLC ASVEL 94-80 in Round 26 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Miller-McIntyre makes history as Saski Baskonia beats LDLC ASVEL 94-80

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Codi Miller-McIntyre of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz celebrates against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The point guard made history in Round 26.

Miller-McIntyre has a night to remember as Baskonia beats ASVEL 94-80

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-02-08T19:30:00.000Z)

History was made in northern Spain as Codi Miller-McIntyre broke the EuroLeague single-game record with 20 assists in Baskonia’s 94-80 victory over LDLC ASVEL on Thursday night. The Baskonia point guard also registered the fourth triple-double in EuroLeague history.

Codi Miller-McIntyre makes history with assist record, triple-double 

History was made in northern Spain as [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) broke the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague single-game record with 20 assists in [Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz’s 94-80 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-saski-baskonia-vs-ldlc-asvel/) on Thursday night. The Baskonia point guard also registered the fourth triple-double in EuroLeague history.

“I’m excited we got the win. My teammates did a great job making shots, they did the hard part. I’m thankful for them, I’m thankful for coach for believing in me. And I am excited to keep going,” said Miller-McIntyre, whose 20 assists snapped the previous mark of 19 shared by Nick Calathes and Facundo Campazzo.

He also set the competition record for most assists in a half with a dozen dimes in the first half.

Miller-McIntyre makes history with assist record, triple-double!

### Making history in style

The 29-year-old Miller-McIntyre said breaking the record was special.

“It means a lot, especially for me. I have heard a lot of rumors and people accusing me of not being a point guard. My teammates believed in me tonight. I hope now people can see that that’s my natural position,” said Miller-McIntyre, who eclipsed his previous best of 15 assists.

Miller-McIntrye broke the record in spectacular fashion, throwing up an alley-oop for Chima Moneke with 2:17 minutes left in the game.

Miller-McIntyre already had 11 rebounds at that point and was only missing the points for a triple double. He made 2 free throws to get to 9 points with 109 seconds to play and returned to the foul line with 79 seconds left for 2 more foul shots. He made the first free throw to send the Buesa Arena crowd into a frenzy.

Miller-McIntyre was subbed out after the free throws with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 20 assists for an index rating of 42. It was the fourth triple-double in EuroLeague history.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">History!!!!!!!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/CMMPatience?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMMPatience</a> <a href="https://t.co/VZEYSWBmaF">pic.twitter.com/VZEYSWBmaF</a></p>&mdash; Chima Moneke (@Chimdogg_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chimdogg_/status/1755701271032435029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Yeah, I am excited I got it. But my teammates really helped me. They told me to keep going when I got tired. Thank you to them,” said Miller-McIntyre.

Nikola Vujcic twice did it with Maccabi Tel Aviv. The big man collected 11 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in 2005-06 against Prokom Trefl and followed that with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 2006-07 versus Olimpija Ljubljana.

The most recent triple-double went to Nick Calathes, who picked up 11 points, 12 rebounds and 18 assists for Panathinaikos in 2018-19 against Buducnost.

“That goes to show the type of player that he is — unselfish, does whatever it takes for the team to win. He’s unbelievable,” said Markus Howard, who scored 18 points to lead Baskonia in scoring. “Tonight was one of the best performances I have seen. And I am fortunate to have a guy like him on my team and not have to play against him.”

More Baskonia News

The Baskonia playmaker authored one of the most impressive performances in competiton history. 

Miller-McIntyre makes history with assist record, triple-double 

Olimpia Milano defeated Real Madrid Baloncesto 81-76 at the Forum in Round 26 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Olimpia Milano holds off Real Madrid Baloncesto's comeback, 81-76

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Nikola Mirotic of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan celebrates against Real Madrid in Round 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Italian side had a big lead in the first half and came close to throwing it away late on, but managed to come out on top in the end.

Milan holds off Real Madrid's comeback, 81-76

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Real Madrid (2024-02-08T19:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos B.C. beat Valencia Basket 65-78 in Round 26 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Olympiacos B.C. trumps Valencia Basket on the road, 65-78

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Nigel Williams-Goss of Olympiacos Piraeus gets past Josep Puerto of Valencia Basket in Round 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Reds took over in the second half and never looked back.

Olympiacos trumps Valencia on the road, 65-78

Valencia Basket v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-02-08T19:30:00.000Z)

Shane Larkin starred as Anadolu Efes S.K. beat Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. 105-91 in Round 26 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Shane Larkin leads Anadolu Efes past Maccabi Tel Aviv, 105-91

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Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul is guarded by John DiBartolomeo of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Round 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The guard shined bright as the Turkish side came away with the win in Riga, Latvia.

Shane Larkin leads Efes past Maccabi, 105-91

Two teams commanded by two of the most laureate head coaches in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague - Zeljko Obradovic and Pablo Laso - face off tonight in Belgrade, Serbia.

Partizan, Bayern face off tonight in an important duel

This Round 26 game comes after a dramatic first encounter this season in Germany that FC Bayern Munich managed to win, 94-85, after Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade had started dominating with 32 points in the first quarter. 

At the moment, Partizan is 11th in the standings and Bayern is 15th. This duel will prove to be decisive as there are only eight games after this one in the regular season, and both teams want to aim for, at least, the play-in.

Partizan lost its last two games in Rounds 24 and 25, while Bayern managed to grab one success in the last double-round week against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at home, 112-109. 

The stakes are high for two teams that want to turn their season around and make the final push for the playoffs.

ROUND 26 PREVIEW - PAR-BAY FEATURE_Original Video_m92447.mp4

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v FC Bayern Munich (2024-02-08T19:30:00.000Z)

Check out some bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Bold predictions for Round 26

### Milan to surprise Real Madrid at home

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

I know that I backed EA7 Emporio Armani Milan to win both of its games during the double-round week last week, a prediction which ended with me having egg on my face, but I have a feeling that Ettore Messina’s side will knock off the 22-3 Real Madrid on Thursday night and keep its play-in hopes alive. Milan shares a 10-15 record with four other teams while Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv currently occupies the final play-in spot with a 13-12 mark. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade is the best placed team to jump into play-in consideration with a 12-13 record, but Milan has the quality to make a late surge. It just needs [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) to start taking over, and what better game for him to do that than against Real, his former employer?

Real Madrid-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | Round 4 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### ASVEL will shock Baskonia

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has been either upsetting, or flirting with upsets, in recent weeks, and I believe it's time for the French side to pull out another shocker. ASVEL and its red-hot point guard [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) travel to visit Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, which has had its share of ups and downs in recent weeks. Unlike ASVEL (5-20), which is in a share of last place, Baskonia (13-12) is in the middle of a tight playoff race. At first, all things point to another Baskonia home win against bottom-dwelling visitors, but not if you ask me. Under new head coach Pierric Poupet, ASVEL has been playing with confidence and poise, which led to playing highly competitive road games against Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Virtus Segafredo Bologna, as well as a road upset against FC Bayern Munich. For this tilt, ASVEL should also get its star forward [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/timothe-luwawu-cabarrot/012080/) back, while Baskonia has been without [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/), [Matthew Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matthew-costello/010444/) and [Khalifa Diop](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/khalifa-diop/008072/). ASVEL will enjoy playing the role of a spoiler on Tuesday night.

### Monaco snaps Virtus's home winning streak 

#### *by Javier Gancedo* 

AS Monaco suffered a 59-83 home loss against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 2. The circumstances were very different, and even though Virtus is 11-1 at home this season, I believe Monaco will steal a road victory in Bologna. Monaco arrives to this game in great shape, winning its last four games behind an unstoppable [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), who is in the prime of his career. Monaco has been outstanding on defense, too, allowing just 70 points against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and 69 against Fenerbahce. [John Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/john-brown/010588/) is in great shape now and could be the antidote against the usually unstoppable [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/). And unlike last time, Monaco now has [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/), who gives Coach Sasa Obradovic another strong backcourt scoring option. Virtus is the favorite and on an 11-game home winning streak, which should come to an end this week.

AS Monaco-Virtus Segafredo Bologna | Round 2  Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Road warriors celebrate!

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

Two of my colleagues above have predicted upsets on the road. I am going a step further to say that the majority of the games in Round 26 will see the visiting teams celebrate. I already predicted in this space last week that Olympiacos Piraeus was about to mount a charge up the standings. After back-to-back wins, the Reds are my favorites to triumph in Valencia. Can [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) and [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/), under Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, lead Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul to victory against their former team, Panathinaikos? You bet they can! Can Zalgiris Kaunas continue its revival under Coach Andrea Trinchieri to beat Crvena Zvezda Merdianbet Belgrade? Of course! Will Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv shake off its troubles at Anadolu Efes Istanbul? It’s quite possible. Add in top-ranked Real Madrid visiting Milan and the predictions above of ASVEL and Monaco winning on the road give you a plethora of road warriors to believe in.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v AS Monaco (2024-02-09T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v ALBA Berlin (2024-02-09T19:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-02-09T19:15:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-02-09T19:00:00.000Z)

The Reds are undefeated in seven previous visits to Valencia's La Fonteta.

Valencia hosts Olympiacos in key playoff battle

In a key battle between injury-plagued teams deep into the playoff run, [Valencia Basket (13-12) hosts Olympiacos Piraeus (14-11) at La Fonteta](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/228/) in Round 26.

### The Reds' favorite road court

Olympiacos has never lost at La Fonteta. The Reds have played in Valencia seven times and always left the court victorious. In its first visit to La Fonteta, Olympiacos downed Valencia 78-90 on January 15, 2004, behind 33 points on near-perfect shooting from Panagiotis Liadelis, who played for Valencia the previous season. In the closest game between the teams in Valencia, the Reds scored a 91-93 victory on January 10, 2020, behind 19 points from Sasha Vezenkov. Last season, [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) had 22 points to lead Olympiacos to an 85-92 triumph, keeping the Reds undefeated on arguably their favorite road court.

Thomas Walkup has stepped up as the Reds' talisman, scoring at least 14 points in four games and also dishing 7 assists versus Bayern. He and his team move on to Valencia, who've enjoyed a return to winning-ways with Semi Ojeleye, who scored 17 and 16 respectively aganst Zvezda and ASVEL.

Olympiacos Piraeus vs Valencia Basket | Round 14 | Highlights

Oddly enough, Valencia has won four times at Peace and Friendship Stadium, including this season, which has a major impact on this week's game. [Valencia beat Olympiacos 56-63](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-valencia-basket/E2023/126/), and that 7-point victory is critical in case the Reds win again at La Fonteta. A second victory would put Valencia in a fantastic spot in terms of multiple-way ties involving Olympiacos. In that Round 14 game, Olympiacos scored just 38 points in the opening 30 minutes. That is Olympiacos's lowest-ever score after the first three quarters of a EuroLeague game. This game, however, will be played under different circumstances.

### Lack of centers and how to solve it

Both teams have been without their two main centers, who are injured. Olympiacos is missing [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) - and missed [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) these last weeks -, and went to the market to find extra answers at center. It signed [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/) in late November before Milutinov and Fall went down. When both of them got injured, Olympiacos signed [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/), who had a stellar debut in Round 24 against ALBA Berlin with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks. In Round 25, Wright was limited to just 2 points in 17 minutes. Petrusev and Wright combined for 27 points in a Greek League victory this weekend and should be ready for a physical battle on Thursday.

Jaime Pradilla Top Plays of the 2023-24 Regular Season

2023-24 EuroLeague highlights: Jaime Pradilla, Valencia Basket

Valencia relied on its roster depth and opted not to sign centers when [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/) and [Boubacar Toure](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/boubacar-toure/012739/) went down. Up-and-coming talent [Jaime Pradilla](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jaime-pradilla/010393/) is Valencia's only pure center available and is making the most of the opportunity, grabbing 9 rebounds in Valencia's Round 25 road win against ALBA, and getting 15 points in 18 minutes in a Spanish League victory over FC Barcelona. Valencia head coach Alex Mumbru has been creative when it comes to his frontcourt, using shot-blocking ace [Nate Reuvers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nathan-reuvers/012738/) in the middle, moving [Damien Inglis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/damien-inglis/003960/) to the '5' position and using smaller lineups, making the most out of [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) and [Justin Anderson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/justin-anderson/012795/)'s physicality. In any case, the frontcourt battle should be interesting at La Fonteta.

### Sikma returns to Valencia

Even though he has been back many times with ALBA, a nice ovation is expected when [Luke Sikma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luke-sikma/006589/)'s name is called during the pre-game player introduction. Sikma played for Valencia for two seasons and helped the club win its only Spanish League championship in 2017, just a few weeks after reaching the EuroCup Finals. Only [Josep Puerto](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josep-puerto/006643/) and Fernando San Emeterio, now as one of the team's assistant coaches, remain with the team from that period. Sikma had a slow start to the season but bounced back recently with extended playing time, getting a double-double in Round 23 against Real Madrid and amassing a PIR of 12 in Round 24 against ALBA.

Luke Sikma of Olympiacos Piraeus bounced back lately once he saw extended playing time, getting a double-double in Round 23 against Real Madrid and amassed a PIR of 12 in Round 24 against ALBA.

Sikma bounces back in style

Sikma is one of six players to wear both teams' jerseys in the EuroLeague this century, along with Matt Nielsen, Dwight Buycks, Erick Green, Oliver Lafayette and Marko Keselj. Nielsen won the 2010 EuroCup with Valencia and Keselj lifted the EuroLeague trophy with Olympiacos in 2012. There are other players, including Liadelis and Vangelis Sklavos, who played for both teams, but not in the EuroLeague. Sikma's matchup against Inglis at both power forward should also be one to follow closely. Inglis has a bigger body and great post kills, Sikma is a better passer and shooter, and both players have high basketball IQs that allow them to find advantages on offense.

With so many centers out, guards should take center stage. Valencia has several elite options at point guard such as [Kevin Pangos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-pangos/006433/), [Stefan Jovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/stefan-jovic/004863/) and [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/), and Olympiacos relies on [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/), [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) and [Ignas Brazdeikis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ignas-brazdeikis/011983/) to speed up the game tempo. Tactically speaking, it should be a one-of-a-kind battle. Tune in on Thursday at 20:30 CET to find out more!