Faltering FC Barcelona (11-6) will look to recover from three defeats in its last four games with the tough assignment of overcoming fierce rival, reigning champ and runaway league leader Real Madrid (16-1). 

Barcelona aims to rebound against arch-rival Real

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-real-madrid/E2023/159/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-facts-bar-mad/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs18-game-notes-bar-mad/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/chus-mateo-real-madrid-we-like-to-do-our-job-well/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-18/)

[Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) will attempt to damage his former team after being named December's league MVP, with Real seeking to complete a regular-season sweep over the Blaugrana after edging the Round 5 meeting 65-64. A key backcourt battle will take place between Argentine international teammates [Nico Laprovíttola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/), who leads Barca with 14.2 points per game, and the league's top ranked assist-maker, [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (7.0 per game). In the paint, Barca’s [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) will attempt to subdue [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) and [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/), who combined for 33 points and 19 rebounds in last week’s win at ASVEL.

[Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Madrid Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Nicolas Laprovittola vs. Facundo Campazzo: Two double-threats at point guard who are also countrymen will be at the heart of El Clásico on Wednesday.

Real Madrid improved to 5-0 after coming out on top in El Clásico, having downed FC Barcelona 65-64 at WiZink Center in Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. Following this defeat, Barca dropped to a 4-1 record.

Last Game: 2023-24, Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona  - Round 5

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid (2024-01-03T20:00:00.000Z)

MVP for December: Mario Hezonja, Real Madrid

On a team that has been near-perfect all season, one player stood out just a little more in another flawless month for Real Madrid. [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) is Euroleague Basketball's choice as MVP for December after he led his team in average scoring and performance index rating during a month that left the defending Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions with an unprecedented four-victory lead in the standings at midseason. Hezonja recorded Real's highest PIR in three of the five games he played in December while registering two of the five double-doubles in his 126-game EuroLeague career.

### Hezonja hit his seven-season high point

The MVP of the Month is named by Euroleague Basketball based on his and his team's performances. Last month's award covered the six games played by all teams between Tuesday, December 5 and Friday, December 29.

Hezonja, 28, becomes the MVP of the Month honoree for the first time in his seven seasons in the EuroLeague. He's the seventh current Real player so honored, following [Facundo Campazzo in November](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/november-mvp-facundo-campazzo-real-madrid/), making them the second pair of teammates to win it back-to-back, after Andrei Kirilenko and Nenad Krstic of CSKA Moscow in 2011. Hezonja is the third Croatian to win the award and the first to do so in nine years, following Ante Tomic (three times) and Dario Saric (once). Real now has 14 such honorees all-time, second only to CSKA Moscow's 18.

On a team that has been near-perfect all season, one player stood out just a little more in another flawless month for Real Madrid. Mario Hezonja is Euroleague Basketball's choice as MVP for November after he led his team in average scoring and performance index rating during a month that left the defending Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions with an unprecedented four-victory lead in the standings at midseason. Hezonja recorded Real's highest PIR in three of the five games he played in December while registering two of the five double-doubles in his 126-game EuroLeague career.

Mario Hezonja | December MVP | Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Hezonja set the pace for Real in Greece

Hezonja started December, with 18 points, 10 rebounds and a PIR of 21 as Real rebounded strongly from its sole defeat of the season, at the last gasp in overtime a few days earlier, by winning a 2023 championship-game rematch with Olympiacos Piraeus on the road by [70-77](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-real-madrid/E2023/103/). Two nights later, Hezonja was at it again, leading Real with 19 points, 4 steals and 23 PIR in another road win, [78-90](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-real-madrid/E2023/110/), at Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.

After scoring 12 points to help beat FC Bayern Munich [88-73](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/119/) at home a week later, Hezonja posted another gem – team-highs of 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 19 PIR – as Real took a third away win in 14 days, [58-72](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-real-madrid/E2023/128/) at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. Hezonja then contributed 14 points in a home showdown with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, reprising their unforgettable playoff series of last spring, which Real won [91-75](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/137/).

### Hezonja's impact was clear

Hezonja finished December having averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and a PIR of 17.2 in 24 minutes per game while making 64.2% of his two-point shots and 91.7% of his free throws.

Real won five games – three away and two with playoff teams from last season – by an average of 12.8 points with Hezonja in the lineup. In those five games, *Los Blancos* trailed by more than 2 points after the middle of the second quarter only once. When he was not available against last-place LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in the final game of December, Real trailed until the fourth quarter and finally won 76-77. Hezonja's impact on Real's perfect performance was clear even in his absence.

Now, Real Madrid fans will get to ring in the new year by celebrating one of their own, Mario Hezonja, as the last EuroLeague MVP of the Month for 2023.

December MVP: Mario Hezonja, Real Madrid

With half the games played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, let's see who has the most favorable remaining schedules and which teams have been the most efficient to date. 

Stats review: What the first half of the regular season tells us about the second

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague regular season has reached its mid-point and there’s an elephant in the room. Several, actually.  

Some of them are obvious, like one-loss Real Madrid looking to become the first team in modern EuroLeague history to finish the regular season with fewer than four losses. Unsurprisingly, there are a half dozen historic measures of dominance Real is in pursuit of at this point.   

Others are only marginally more subtle, like Virtus Segafredo Bologna emerging as the league’s next-best team and tracking to eclipse the 14-win mark it set last season before the end of January. After going 6-11 to close the 2022-23 campaign, Virtus is looking to flip the script on last season entirely after taking sole possession of second place in Round 17.  

While Madrid’s excellence and Virtus’s surprise turnaround figure to be the unavoidable storylines of the second half of the regular season, the lack of clarity in the middle of the pack looms as large as ever. The ever-present parity of the EuroLeague is well-documented, but where exactly that parity centers tends to vary year-to-year. Typically, it can be found towards the bottom of the playoff picture and on a couple of occasions over the last decade, it has nearly scraped up against the very top of the standings.

This season, things start to get interesting with third-place FC Barcelona, which sits just three wins ahead of 12th-place FC Bayern Munich. The table above provides a snapshot of the teams that fall in between, covering their offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency, and most difficult remaining road games.  

While home teams are winning 61% of the time this season, that number rises significantly for playoff contenders. As a result, who a team plays is important, but *where* they play them is also a critical factor when projecting ahead. With that in mind, each team’s toughest remaining opponents away from their home arena are listed based on those teams’ placement in the standings.  

No one will visit every team in the top four during the second half of the season, but Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz will face four of the top five. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade can say the same but will avoid a road encounter with Real Madrid. Baskonia is one of only three teams with more wins than losses on the road so far this season and it will have a chance to prove that its record is more a byproduct of its character as a team than who it has played to this point.  

On the other end of the spectrum, FC Barcelona not only has pole position among the teams in this group, but also has the softest remaining schedule as it will avoid traveling to both of the top two teams in the table and a half dozen of the other teams listed. Barca's efficiency differential also tracks well with its placement in the standings; it is one of four teams outside its opponents by 0.05 points per possession or more.  

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens is one of the other teams on that list and sits just behind Barcelona in the standings. In contrast, Partizan is this season’s most mismatched team. It stands out among this group in its best moments this season and has been the league’s most efficient offensive unit as a result, but its inconsistent, 13th-ranked defense has been a limiting factor.   

There are lots of intriguing storylines to track across the EuroLeague landscape as the calendar turns to 2024, but none may ultimately stand up to the impending battle royale in the middle of the standings. The Play-In Showdown has opened the door for two additional teams to get a shot at the postseason than usual, but also introduces a major cut line at the sixth spot in the standings; there are going to be major ramifications for more teams than ever as teams look to no just qualify for the postseason, but avoid a potential one-and-done scenario as well.  

With half the games played, let's see who has the most favorable remaining schedules and which teams have been the most efficient to date. 

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague delivered countless magic moments, fantastic feats and thrilling finishes during the past year. Courts all over Europe welcomes superstar players and legendary clubs, which put on performances that fans will cherish forever. Photographers all over the continent followed the games closely all year long to document the drama. Here are 23 of the best photos from the EuroLeague in 2023.

EuroLeague 2022-23, Regular Season Round 17, ASVEL's Yves Pons battles Byron Dunston of Efes for the ball

EuroLeague 2022-23, Regular Season Round 21, Shaquielle McKissic throws down a slam against Maccabi 

EuroLeague 2022-23, Regular Season Round 23, Chima Moneke of Monaco and Real Madrid's Adam Hanga vie for the ball. 

EuroLeague 2022-23, Regular Season Round 24, Donta Hall of Monaco rebounds against ASVEL's Zaccharie Risacher and Yves Pons

EuroLeague 2022-23, Regular Season Round 28,  James Webb of Valencia gets a hand on the shot of Real Madrid's Mario Hezonja.

EuroLeague 2022-23, Regular Season Round 31, Rokas Giedraitis of Baskonia flies over the ALBA Berlin defense

EuroLeague 2022-23, Regular Season Round 33, Facu Campazzo of Crvena Zvezda and Olympiacos's Thomas Walkup vie for the ball

EuroLeague 2022-23, Playoffs Game 3-4, Johnathan Motley of Fenerbahce dunks against Olympiacos 

EuroLeague 2022-23, Playoffs Game 3-4, Walter Tavares of Real Madrid blocks Partizan's Alen Smailagic at the rim

EuroLeague 2022-23, Final Four, James Nnaji of Barca goes for the ball against Real Madrid giant Walter Tavares

EuroLeague 2022-23, Final Four, Mike James of Monaco aims for the hoop while in the air against Olympiacos in the 2023 semifinals

EuroLeague 2022-23, Final Four, Walter Tavares of Real slams in the face of Olympiacos' Joel Bolomboy in the 2023 champiosnhip game

EuroLeague 2023-24, Regular Season Round 1, Nikola Milutinov of Olympiacos dunks against Panathinaikos

EuroLeague 2023-24, Regular Season Round 3, Milos Teodosic of Crvena Zvezda and Alpha Diallo of Monaco chase down a loose ball

EuroLeague 2023-24, Regular Season Round 5, Joel Bolomboy of Crvena Zvezda dunks in front of Partizan's Alen Smailagic

EuroLeague 2023-24, Regular Season Round 6, Mike James of Monaco shoots the game-winner over Milan's Stefano Tonut

EuroLeague 2023-24, Regular Season Round 7, Nikola Mirotic of Milan gets his hand on a shot by Valencia's Sei Ojeleye. 

EuroLeague 2023-24, Regular Season Round 8,  Iffe Lundberg of Virtus emotes after dunking against Milan. 

EuroLeague 2023-24, Regular Season Round 10, Shane Larkin of Efes looks to drive past Partizan's Ognjen Jaramaz. 

EuroLeague 2023-24, Regular Season Round 11, Joffrey Lauvergne of ASVEL dunks in front of Barça's Jan Vesely and Jabari Parker. 

EuroLeague 2023-24, Regular Season Round 12, Tyrique Jones of Efes dunks during his MVP performance in Round 12 against Panathinaikos. 

EuroLeague 2023-24, Regular Season Round 12, Baskonia's Codi Miller-McIntyre throws down a put-back slam against Fenerbahce. 

Real Madrid lifted the European crown for the 11th time last May in Kaunas, Lithuania

Enjoy this gallery of 23 of the best photos from the EuroLeague in 2023.

EuroLeague, the best photos from 2023

**OVERSEAS**: In case you missed it, the new Euroleague Basketball Originals documentary "Overseas" is out exclusively on EuroLeague TV. Four intimate episodes crisscross two continents in iconic settings such as Athens, Monaco and Milan and also take you into the homes and daily routines of three Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A new documentary series is premiering now on ELTV 🎥 <br><br>“𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦” features Donatas Motiejunas, Kyle Hines, Shaquielle McKissic and focuses on their 🏀 careers away from home, its challenges and their experiences so far…<br><br>All four episodes are available to EuroLeague TV… <a href="https://t.co/O6QgaP4A4T">pic.twitter.com/O6QgaP4A4T</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1739982713229029741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

**WHERE WOULD YOU SIT?** Mike James listed his opinions. Which table would you choose to sit at?

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Table 5 goofy. Keenan sorry lol<br>Table 4 take themselves too serious<br>Table 3 gon argue too much<br>Table 2 actually would be entertainment. I’d have fun there lol <a href="https://t.co/KzDojcXPTP">https://t.co/KzDojcXPTP</a></p>&mdash; Mike James (@TheNatural_05) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNatural_05/status/1739282809791885472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**FAN DAY**: Valencia had an open practice that drew a big crowd at La Fonteta, especially young ones who later had a chance to get photos and autographs from their favorite players.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">😊 <a href="https://t.co/A4FEyoEDlD">pic.twitter.com/A4FEyoEDlD</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1739616113967628568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙤 🧡<br><br>Estas son las imágenes más bonitas del entrenamiento abierto masculino de hoy. Un día que muchos peques y no tan peques, nunca olvidarán😊<br><br>📷 Tienes una galería con 100 fotos de hoy en Flickr, aquí<br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/vhuPObgZUR">https://t.co/vhuPObgZUR</a><br><br>Mañana… <a href="https://t.co/Hfq2XAXbpa">pic.twitter.com/Hfq2XAXbpa</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1739663386164580493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**MONTE-CARLO PARTY**: For AS Monaco, the week started in style as the club organized a memorable Monte-Carlo style Christmas party, featuring none other than Robbie Williams.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">Roca team family , daghe munegu <a href="https://t.co/UqNA2vkVSu">pic.twitter.com/UqNA2vkVSu</a></p>&mdash; Saša Obradovic (@sasaobradovic69) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaobradovic69/status/1739774418287575082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1Xi8ETIDvk/?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 Donatas Motiejunas (@donatas_motiejunas)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🎄 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀, 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 ! 🫶<br>🎅 𝗝𝗼𝘆𝗲𝘂𝘅 𝗡𝗼𝗲̈𝗹 𝗮̀ 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝘁 𝗮̀ 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘀 ! ❤️🤍 <a href="https://t.co/HQQq59IXUU">pic.twitter.com/HQQq59IXUU</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1739008526578499991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**HOMECOMINGS**: More than 11,000 fans in Berlin greeted Luke Sikma with a standing ovation in his first game against ALBA. Meanwhile, at LDLC Arena, Real's Fabien Causeur and Vincent Poirier enjoyed playing in their native country and catching up with their long-time friends on ASVEL.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THANK YOU, LUKE! 💛💙<br><br>6️⃣ Seasons<br>3️⃣9️⃣6️⃣ Games<br>2️⃣ Cup Titles<br>3️⃣ Championships<br><br>👑 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a>-MVP<br>👑 <a href="https://twitter.com/easyCreditBBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@easyCreditBBL</a>-MVP<br><br>📸 Tilo Wiedensohler<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/BowtYA9jNj">pic.twitter.com/BowtYA9jNj</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1740816866455716179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">French Connection 🇫🇷 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/SFtIyxweuk">pic.twitter.com/SFtIyxweuk</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1740332614903374102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**STUFED ANIMALS**: Partizan fans showered the floor ahead of the game against Virtus with thousands of stuffed animals. Each stuffed animal raised money for children in need and each toy will be donated to local children charities.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">DA SE SVA DECA U SRBIJI SREĆNO IGRAJU! HVALA CRNO-BELI!🖤🤍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/sZ2eR6D5D6">pic.twitter.com/sZ2eR6D5D6</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1740429800152387782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1dAulBL5o-/?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 KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@partizanbc)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**HERO'S WELCOME**: After edging Partizan in Belgrade, Virtus received a hero's welcome at Bologna airport.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Siamo tornati 😍<br>BUONANOTTE BOLOGNA 🤍🖤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/twHxBUCqAq">pic.twitter.com/twHxBUCqAq</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1740530091963335074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">❤️ 💪🏼 <a href="https://t.co/YXYiywqlPY">pic.twitter.com/YXYiywqlPY</a></p>&mdash; Marco Belinelli (@marcobelinelli) <a href="https://twitter.com/marcobelinelli/status/1740688877344461122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**WINNERS' CORNER**: Virtus moved into sole possession of second place, Real enters 2024 with a 16-1 record, while Fenerbahce and Panathinaikos continued their respective winning streaks.

The final week of the 2023 is in the books, and so is the first half of the EuroLeague regular season. Check out this week's selection of social media posts from around the EuroLeague.

EuroLeague week on social media

Virtus Bologna announced that it has signed center Ante Zizic through the summer of 2026.

Virtus inks Ante Zizic from Efes

Virtus Segafredo Bologna bolstered its frontline by signing center [Ante Zizic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ante-zizic/004554/) from Anadolu Efes Istanbul. Zizic (2.10 meters, 26 years old) averaged 6.5 points on 71.4% shooting and 2.8 rebounds in 13 EuroLeague appearances for Efes this season, though his role decreased drastically in recent weeks after his return from injury.  With Virtus, Zizic is expected to immediately fill the void created at center by Devontae Cacok's knee injury.

This season was Zizic's second with Efes and fifth in the EuroLeague. He boasts career averages of 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 129 games with Darussafaka Istanbul, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Efes.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">🔊 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄 𝐙𝐈𝐙𝐈𝐂 𝐄’ 𝐁𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐎<br>Welcome to Bologna Ante ⚪️⚫️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/z77bodV6K4">pic.twitter.com/z77bodV6K4</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1741391191327797599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Zizic, whose older brother Andrija was a EuroLeague champion with Maccabi in 2014, started his career in his native Croatia, playing for Split, Ribola Kastela, Cakovec and Cibona Zagreb before joining Darussafaka in November 2016. He made his EuroLeague debut with Darussafaka and averaged 9.0 points in 20 games in helping his team reach the playoffs. 

Zizic has also played for Cleveland in the NBA and Canton in the G League. He helped Maccabi win the Israeli League and Cup double in 2021, won the Turkish championship with Efes last season and reached the NBA finals with Cleveland in 2018. He is a member of the Croatian national team.

The best highlights of Anadolu Efes Istanbul center Ante Zizic through the first 10 rounds of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The top plays of Ante Zizic this season

More on Ante Zizic

The center signed a deal a two-and-a-half-season deal with Virtus 

ALBA Berlin v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-01-05T18:00:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v FC Bayern Munich (2024-01-03T19:30:00.000Z)

Look back at all the action from Round 17 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

The Top 10 photos of the week, Round 17

Donta Hall of Monaco dunks against Barcelona.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot of ASVEL shoots over Real Madrid's Alberto Abalde.

Dan Oturu of Efes and Fenerbahce's Georgios Papagiannis battle for a rebound. 

Vladimir Lucic of FC Bayern Munich shoots against Valencia.

Maccabi's Josh Nebo emotes as he dunks in Kaunas against Zalgiris. 

Chima Moneke of Baskonia and Milan's Kyle Hines in action in Round 17.

Mathias Lessort of Panathinaikos and Crvena Zvezda's Joel Bolomboy tussle for the ball. 

Dan Oturu of Efes dunks in the derby against Fenerbahce. 

Isaia Cordinier of Virtus and Partizan's Zach LeDay compete for the ball. 

Chima Moneke of Baskonia dunks on Milan's Kyle Hines. 

Kevin Pangos has secured his long-awaited exit from Olimpia Milano, with the guard joining fellow EuroLeague club Valencia Basket Club.

Kevin Pangos seals move from Olimpia Milano to Valencia Basket

Valencia Basket has confirmed the signing of [Kevin Pangos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-pangos/006433/) on a deal until the end of the 2023-24 season, with an option for a further year. Pangos (1.86 meters, 30 years old) joins Valencia from EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, where he averaged 7.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in five Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games this season. The Canadian-born point guard is in his sixth EuroLeague season.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🎬🎅 Es la mejor película navideña de siempre y lo sabes <a href="https://t.co/XQJYuxgDAR">pic.twitter.com/XQJYuxgDAR</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1741189490360611311?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### A difficult couple of years in Milan

There was a lot of fanfare following the announcement that Pangos would be joining Milan in the summer of 2022, but his time in the fashion capital did not quite go to plan. Pangos arrived as the replacement for Sergio Rodriguez, who had returned to Real Madrid, yet his first season failed to live up to expectation as he lacked consistency and also dealt with injuries.

Despite Milan head coach Ettore Messina stating in the offseason that Pangos could return to the level he showed during his time at Zenit St. Petersburg, where he was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team in the 2020-21 season, the Italian tactician soon changed his tune. As such, he took the decision to freeze Pangos after Round 5, with Milan staring at a 1-4 record.

The best plays of Kevin Pangos for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Kevin Pangos's top plays for Milan

### Reuniting with Brandon Davies

Another player who had a similar experience in Milan and now plays for Valencia is Brandon Davies. Pangos now gets to join forces with his ex-teammate for the fourth time in their EuroLeague careers, as they played together for one year at Zalgiris Kaunas (2017-18), one year at FC Barcelona (2019-20) and one year at Milan (2022-23). Their chemistry on the court could become a weapon for Valencia head coach Alex Mumbru as we enter the second half of the season.

Pangos will have to battle with Chris Jones, Valencia’s star point guard, for minutes in the rotation, but after a period in which he has been cast aside in Milan, the 30-year-old will surely just be glad to be playing again.  

### Pangos’s journey to Valencia

Having begun his European adventure with Dreamland Gran Canaria in the 2015-16 season, which saw him named to the All-EuroCup Second Team, Valencia will be Pangos’s third team in Spain having also spent two years at Barcelona between 2018 and 2020.

Pangos’s EuroLeague career began in the 2016-17 campaign as he joined Zalgiris, and the following season he was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team due to his play for the Lithuanian side. Then came his two years in Barcelona, one season at Zenit and his last year and a half at Milan. He also spent one year in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Top 5 All-EuroLeague First Team: Kevin Pangos

Now 30, Pangos will be keen for Valencia to become the home he has been looking for. Coach Mumbru’s troops have a 9-8 record so far and find themselves in ninth place, which would be good enough for a play-in spot if the season ended today. Valencia will be hoping that Pangos’s arrival can help solidify the club’s playoff push.

More Valencia News

New Valencia Basket signing Kevin Pangos in action for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The 30-year-old will be able to make his debut in Round 18.

Kevin Pangos seals move from Milan to Valencia

In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague roll call, we take a look at five players that had a big impact on their respective games in Round 17: Shane Larkin, Nigel-Hayes Davis, Leandro Bolmaro, Ognjen Jaramaz, Diego Flaccadori.

Roll call, Round 17: Putting it all on the line for your team

### Hayes-Davis provided the foundation for Fenerbahce’s win

Nick Calathes earned plenty of plaudits for his late-game heroics for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on the road at Anadolu Efes Istanbul, but one player who perhaps went slightly under the radar in the closing stages was [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/). Yet, if it wasn’t for the Fenerbahce forward’s contribution, there’s almost no way his side would have come away with an [84-89](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/145/) victory at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall. In what was an offense-filled first quarter, Hayes-Davis played all but 5 seconds of the opening period and contributed 12 of Fenerbahce’s 29 points. He was limited to just 3 points in the second quarter, but he went stride for stride with an on-fire Shane Larkin in the third period by netting 10 points and playing for the entire 10 minutes. Everybody is well aware of Hayes-Davis’s durability, but his final stat line of a season-high 24 points, 6 rebounds and a +5 in the plus/minus column in 36:18 minutes on the floor shows just how vital he is to Fenerbahce and head coach Saras Jasikevicius.

Nigel Hayes-Davis had 24 points, 6 rebounds and a +5 in the plus/minus column as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul beat Anadolu Efes Istanbul 84-89 in Round 17 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Hayes-Davis's scoring plays vs. Efes

### Larkin’s eruption wasn’t enough for Efes

With Efes leading 52-47 at halftime against Fenerbahce, it needed a good third quarter if it was to come away with the win. Well, [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) answered the call with 15 points in the third period alone, as the Fenerbahce players were pulled from pillar to post. It looked like Fenerbahce had no answer for Larkin, who was playing at a level reminiscent of his EuroLeague record 49-point night against FC Bayern Munich in November 2019, but unfortunately the cavalry didn’t offer much support. In fact, Efes scored just 16 points in the third quarter, meaning that Larkin scored all but 1 of his team’s points in the period. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, netted 22 points and went on to win the game 84-89.

Shane Larkin netted 15 of Anadolu Efes Istanbul's 16 points in the third quarter against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 17 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Larkin's third-quarter explosion

### Bolmaro was instrumental in Bayern's win

[Leandro Bolmaro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/leandro-bolmaro/008985/) did a bit of everything for FC Bayern Munich during its [85-84](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-valencia-basket/E2023/147/) win over Valencia Basket. Bolmaro was tied for a team-high 13 points, he led the team with 5 assists and he also pulled down 4 rebounds, finishing with a team-best PIR of 19 in 24 minutes of work. Bolmaro shot 5-of-9 from the field and made both of his foul shots. Bolmaro came back into the game in the fourth quarter with 5:42 left and Valencia up 68-71, but he soon scored back-to-back baskets to put the hosts ahead. Before the end of the game, the Argentine dished 2 more assists to help Bayern protect its home floor in its final game of 2023.

Leandro Bolmaro did a bit of everything for FC Bayern Munich during its 85-84 win over Valencia Basket. Bolmaro was tied for a team-high 13 points, he led the team with 5 assists and he also pulled down 4 rebounds, finishing with a team-best PIR of 19 in 24 minutes of work.

Bolmaro was instrumental in Bayern's win

### Jaramaz stepped up against Virtus

In a thriller that went down to the last shot, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade registered a [75-77](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/153/) home loss against Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Partizan rallied from a double-digit deficit twice during the game, despite starter P.J. Dozier battling foul trouble all night long. [Ognjen Jaramaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-jaramaz/004058/) made the most of his extended playing time, finishing the game with 12 points on 2-of-2 two-pointers and 2-of-2 three-pointers, in addition to adding a career-high 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 5 fouls drawn for a season-best PIR of 20. Jaramaz averages 3.2 points, 1.3 rebounds and a PIR of 3.2, but when playing more than 25 minutes, those numbers improve to 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and a PIR of 15.5.

Ognjen Jaramaz made the most out of his extended playing time, finishing the game with 12 points on 2 of 2 two-pointers and 2 of 2 three-pointers, also adding a career-high 6 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and 5 fouls drawn for a season-best PIR of 20.

Jaramaz has solid game in Round 17

### Flaccadori did it all against Baskonia

[Diego Flaccadori](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/diego-flaccadori/005670/) had a stunning performance to lead EA7 Emporio Armani Milan to a [76-67](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/146/) home victory over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. He had 11 of his 14 points before halftime, helping Milan build a 46-31 margin. He finished the game with new career highs in steals (4) and rebounds (4), while he also dished 5 assists for a PIR of 14. Since Maodo Lo got injured, Flaccadori has taken a significant a step forward, particularly with regard to his production. He averaged 3.7 points, 0.3 rebounds and a PIR of 0.9 in his first 10 games of the season. However, in Milan's last four outings, Flaccadori has posted 11.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and a PIR of 11.0, leading his team to a 3-1 record.

He had 11 of his 14 points before halftime, helping Milan build a 46-31 margin. He finished the game with new career-highs in steals (4) and rebounds (4), also dishing 5 assists for a PIR of 14.

Flaccadori does it all against Baskonia

In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague roll call, we take a look at five players that had a big impact on their respective games in Round 17.