Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C.'s Josh Nebo scorer a career-high 22 points in his team's 70-78 road win at Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 17 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season.

Josh Nebo leads Maccabi to 70-78 victory in Kaunas

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EuroLeague Live Blog: Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

The Maccabi center remained hot with a career-high 22 points. 

Zalgiris Kaunas v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-12-28T18:00:00.000Z)

KK Partizan (9-8) came up short against Virtus Bologna (12-5) 75-77 in Round 17 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season. 

Virtus Bologna edges KK Paritizan, 75-77

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Isaia Cordinier of Virtus Segafredo Bologna is defended by Kevin Punter of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 17 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Despite giving up a 13-point lead, the Italian side held on late to snag a victory in Belgrade. 

Virtus edges Paritizan in a close contest, 75-77

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2023-12-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahçe Beko earned bragging rights in the Istanbul derby by beating Anadolu Efes S.K. 84-89 in Round 17 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season.

Fenerbahçe Beko steps up late to defeat Anadolu Efes in the Istanbul derby, 84-89

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Nick Calathes of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul shoots a three-pointer over the outstretched arm of Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard Shane Larkin.

Nick Calathes became the hero late on with a couple of vital three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Fenerbahce steps up late to defeat Efes in the Istanbul derby, 84-89

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-12-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus (8-8) is aiming to string together a winning streak as it travels to ALBA Berlin (3-13). 

 Isaiah Canaan, Olympiacos: 'We don't want to fall in the trap' 

The Reds cast aside their recent struggles to gain a 73-85 win at ASVEL last week powered by a near-record 8 blocks by Moustapha Fall. Another factor was a return to form for [Shaquielle McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/), who reached double-digit scoring (13 points) for the first time this season. ALBA will hope for another strong performance from [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/), who made 3 of his 5 three-point attempts in last week’s loss to Fenerbahce, but needs to improve a defense that has allowed 85.8 points per game, fourth-worst in the league, and could be haunted by memories of a 60-93 home loss to Olympiacos in February.

### Israel Gonzalez, ALBA head coach

"Olympiacos plays the most attractive basketball in the EuroLeague. They move the ball very well, play great together, move excellently off the ball, and do all that with a lot of energy. On Friday, we will meet Luke Sikma for the first time since his departure. He shaped an era here, so the game is also a special one for us."

### Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos head coach

"We must be focused 100%. It’s a game that if we lose, we will have huge problem, but to win it, it demands big effort and good performance. ALBA proved last week that they can win. They beat Barcelona. They are a good team and we have to play very good in order to get the win."

Game News

### Johannes Thiemann, ALBA player

"We're looking forward to seeing Luke again! The game against Olympiacos is the last game of the first half of the season. We performed well before Christmas and it would be great if we could reward ourselves again at the end of the year. But Olympiacos is a really tough opponent that is always a favorite to reach the EuoLeague's Final Four."

### Isaiah Canaan, Olympiacos player

"Sometimes games like this can be trap games and we don’t want to fall in the trap. We understand that it is a tough game on the road and we must go there and do the things that we are supposed to do. If we do that, we will be OK. The EuroLeague is tough. There are a lot good teams and every game is a tough game. It is going to be ups and downs. Obviously there are a lot of games that we wish we could take them back and win. But it is a part of the game. We just got to learn from it and go forward."

ALBA Berlin v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-12-29T19:00:00.000Z)

Check out some bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 17 the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Bold predictions for Rounds 17

### Efes’s bigs will cause problems for Fenerbahce

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Dan Oturu has made quite the impression since joining Anadolu Efes Istanbul in a mid-season transfer, and I expect him to have another successful night [against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the Istanbul derby](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/145/). In particular, I believe that Efes’s center tandem of Oturu and Tyrique Jones have enough power and force to cause plenty of problems for Fenerbahce’s trio of big men: Johnathan Motley, Georgios Papagiannis and Sertac Sanli. In recent weeks, it hasn't been clear whether it will be Oturu or Jones who goes off, but typically one of the two has enjoyed a key role for head coach Erdem Can’s team. On Thursday evening, expect to see Oturu and Jones make their presence felt in the paint as they look to hand Saras Jasikevicius his first defeat since taking over at Fenerbahce.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">📊 Anadolu Efes maçı öncesi istatistik liderleri! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/dxTDMZK2SF">pic.twitter.com/dxTDMZK2SF</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1740352294787436646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Zalgiris will end its losing streak

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

Five defeats in a row by an average of just 4.2 points have left Zalgiris Kaunas (5-11) looking up from 16th place at what seems like a steep climb back into contention for the playoffs. That climb will only get shorter with home wins, and Zalgiris has the pride and poise to take a big one [on Thursday against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/149/) (9-7). Several Zalgiris players have put up solid games despite the recent losses -- most notably former Maccabi guard Keenan Evans -- and now its time for them to do it in unison. Zalgiris has better defensive numbers across the board than the visitors and a couple of advantages on offense, namely three-point accuracy. What will push Zalgiris over the hump, though, is this team's collective pride backed by a push from its home fans at Zalgirio Arena.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Hey, <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaccabiTLVBC</a>! 👋 <a href="https://t.co/Iy0XUJp2wF">pic.twitter.com/Iy0XUJp2wF</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1740323703156531605?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Bayern's Lucic will light it up against his old team

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

In each of the two games he played since returning from injury, Bayern forward Vladimir Lucic scored 2 points and had 2 rebounds. He has a total of 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 turnovers, while shooting a combined 0-for-5 from long range. But I believe Lucic, a former All-EuroLeague forward, will show he is on track to get back to his old self [on Thursday night with depleted Valencia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-valencia-basket/E2023/147/) in town. Lucic played for and helped Valencia win the EuroCup crown in 2014, and against his former team he will prove that he can still deliver and be a major factor for head coach Pablo Laso's team.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight marks the 🔟th time in a row that we&#39;ve got no tickets left at the BMW Park - another sold out game! Thank you guys so much!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAYVBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAYVBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/9IAp0HmKa8">pic.twitter.com/9IAp0HmKa8</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1740319177695490289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### ALBA will be a handful for the Reds

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

All signs point to a big win for Olympiacos Piraeus [this week in the German capital](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/151/). After all, the Reds are 5-1 historically in road games at ALBA Berlin, former ALBA star Luke Sikma is returning to town for the first time since joining Olympiacos over the summer, and Olympiacos center Moustapha Fall, who comes off a historic performance in Round 16, had his best game ever in Berlin in November 2020 with a PIR of 42. However, this ALBA team, which a month ago was crippled by injuries, has welcomed many of its stars back. The youngsters, who played bigger roles when the likes of Sterling Brown, Matt Thomas, Yanni Wetzell and others missed games, used those opportunities to improve themselves. Now, ALBA is deeper than ever. Last week ALBA beat FC Barcelona and was within 6 points in the fourth quarter against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul before the latter pulled away. Expect to see head coach Israel Gonzalez's men ready for Olympiacos.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">ARE YOU READY FOR LUKE&#39;S RETURN? 👀<br> <br>Am Freitag kehrt unser langjähriger Leader in die Mercedes-Benz Arena zurück – diesmal aber im Trikot von Olympiakos Piräus. 🥲<br> <br>Wir freuen uns auf das Wiedersehen mit <a href="https://twitter.com/LCSikma43?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LCSikma43</a>! 💛💙<br> <br>🎫 <a href="https://t.co/gaKfyhD9VT">https://t.co/gaKfyhD9VT</a> 🎫 <a href="https://t.co/eSaScn8Js0">pic.twitter.com/eSaScn8Js0</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1740082293199208474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Barcelona will stay unbeaten in Monaco

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

[FC Barcelona visits AS Monaco in the competition's final game of 2023](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-fc-barcelona/E2023/152/), right at the regular season's halfway mark. Barcelona registered narrow wins in its two visits to Salle Gaston Medecin over the last couple of seasons. Barca has plenty of reasons to be optimistic against a Final Four-level team like Monaco. First, it has two very different centers in Willy Hernangomez and Jan Vesely, who are ready to match up against Donatas Motiejunas and Donta Hall. Second, Barca has been very effective against Mike James over the years. Tomas Satoransky and Rokas Jokubaitis can control the game tempo. Nikola Kalinic and Jabari Parker add much-needed versatility to use against Alpha Diallo and John Brown. And I believe Barca has defensive answers to everything Monaco can try in this game. It says here that the visitors should get their third consecutive victory in the principality.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🔚 ᒐᥲ⳽t ᑲᥲttꙆᥱ oƒ tᖾᥱ ყᥱᥲɾ 🌟<br><br>🚀 La <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> reçoit le Barça <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBbasket</a>, pour une clôture exceptionnelle de l&#39;année 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ à Gaston-Médecin 🎆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/lk48DHwY6N">pic.twitter.com/lk48DHwY6N</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1740296786412208508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-12-28T19:30:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v FC Barcelona (2023-12-29T20:00:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Valencia Basket (2023-12-28T19:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-12-28T19:15:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Real Madrid (2023-12-28T19:00:00.000Z)

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 19 game between Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, scheduled for January 4, will be played at Kalnapilio Arena in Panevezys, Lithuania, instead of Istanbul as originally scheduled.

This decision has been taken considering Turkish and Israel government recommendations.

Round 19 Fenerbahce vs. Maccabi game relocated

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-01-04T17:45:00.000Z)

The Istanbul Derby returns to the EuroLeague for its 21st edition since 2014 on Thursday.

Istanbul Derby promises 'the ultimate level of competitiveness'

[The first Istanbul Derby of the 2023-24 season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/145/) coinciding with the half-way mark in the race for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs is about as much as any fan could ask for to start the last round of the calendar year on Thursday.

The last time these teams played in the EuroLeague, host Fenerbahce ended the two-year reign of Efes as continental champion with [a resounding 103-86 home victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2022/290/) that knocked its archrival out of the playoffs.

As such, the emotions that will be at work in Thursday's rematch on Efes's home court across the Bosphorus Strait are many

"Of course, it's a huge derby," says Efes head coach Erdem Can, who was on Fenerbahce's bench as an assistant in past editions of the derby.

"Any game you play against Efes is special," says Fenerbahce veteran Melih Mahmutoglu, who calls the Efes coach a friend.

Even newcomers to the rivalry, like Fenerbahce big man Georgios Papagiannis, know exactly what's at stake.

"It's going to be important to see who is actually the king of the city," he says.

And it may not be a coincidence that Efes center Tibor Pleiss will return from injury for the occasion.

"We want to be the number one team in Istanbul," Pleiss says.

Most telling of all, perhaps, is how a superstar who grew up far from Europe has taken to this particular derby.

"It's one of the most intense games you can ever play in," Efes guard Shane Larkin says. "It's definitely an intense atmosphere. It's the ultimate level of competitiveness between two teams and coaches and fans. It's just something that you can't really describe in words. You have to come see it yourself."

The first Istanbul Derby of the 2023-24 season coinciding with the half-way mark in the race for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs is about as much as any fan could ask for to start the last round of the calendar year on Thursday.

- PARTIZAN MOZZART BET BELGRADE has been sanctioned with a fine of €30,000 and a ban on its fans to attend their next away game, following the incidents reported on occasion of its away game against Valencia Basket under Article 29.1.e) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.

Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary sanction pertaining to incidents that occurred in Round 15 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague regular season.

Round 15 disciplinary sanction

It has been a great year in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, full of thrills, drama and great basketball. Let's take a look at the most iconic moments we experienced in 2023. 

Top 10 EuroLeague moments of 2023

### 10\. Polonara returns in Vitoria

Early this season, Virtus Segafredo Bologna forward Achille Polonara underwent surgery and chemotherapy for a testicular tumor that kept him away from the court for several weeks. After missing 12 games, [Polonara returned in a road game against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-saski-baskonia-vs-virtus-bologna/). It was extra special for Polonara, who played for Baskonia in the past and helped the team win the Spanish League in 2020. Baskonia prepared a small pre-game ceremony to hand him a jersey and Polonara received one of the warmest ovations of the season. He played 7 minutes and Virtus beat Baskonia 81-91.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Uno de los nuestros 💙❤️<br><br>🫂 <a href="https://twitter.com/ilpupazzo33?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ilpupazzo33</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/6r8Oyeybq1">pic.twitter.com/6r8Oyeybq1</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1735382673936261318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 9\. Partizan's strong return

Thousands of diehard fans were looking forward to seeing how Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade would compete in its first EuroLeague appearance since 2014. Led by coaching legend Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan put together a competitive roster led by Mathias Lessort, Dante Exum, James Nunnally and Kevin Punter. The club started the season with a 4-9 record but everything clicked after that, backed by unbelievable basketball atmospheres for home games at Stark Arena, winning 16 of the next 21 games to qualify for the playoffs. Partizan was one win away from reaching the Final Four and led by 19 in do-or-die Game 5 against Real Madrid, but had a bittersweet end to a fantastic season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stark Arena is HYPED💥💥💥<br><br>How many <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PartizanBC</a> players can you name in there?👀 <a href="https://t.co/UXf5DdiHj3">pic.twitter.com/UXf5DdiHj3</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1641907995075280898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 8\. Zalgiris returns to playoffs

It all came down to the final game of arguably the closest and most exciting regular season in competition history. Playoff qualifying possibilities were a mathematical nightmare in the final regular season dates. In Round 34, however, Zalgiris Kaunas had a clear picture of what it needed to access to the playoffs. Zalgiris needed a win in Munich and for either Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz or Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul to lose. Both Baskonia and Fenerbahce lost on Thursday, leaving the playoff door wide open. Zalgiris edged FC Bayern Munich 80-83 behind 20 points from Lukas Lekavicius to march into the playoffs in dramatic fashion!

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final score: Bayern - Zalgiris 80-83. WE’RE BACK!!! ✅ <a href="https://t.co/ctYxuzGOcK">pic.twitter.com/ctYxuzGOcK</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1646974089267933184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 7\. LDLC Arena opens with a bang

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne moved into its new home in November. The magnificent LDLC Arena could not have had a better opening game, [a double-overtime thriller](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-ldlc-arena-served-up-an-unforgettable-opening-night/) that will surely go down as one of the best games of the 2023-24 season. Early in the fourth quarter, ASVEL led by 12 points. Bayern rallied to take the lead, 69-73, then ASVEL surged ahead, 74-73, before Leo Bolmaro split free throws at the end of regulation to force an extra session. Nick Weiler-Babb took the game to a second overtime with a wild three-pointer. Finally, Paris Lee gave ASVEL a 100-97, lead but Sylvain Francisco struck from downtown and Niels Giffey's free throw made the difference for Bayern in an instant classic, 100-101!

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">▶️ ASVEL vs. Bayern Munich I Round 10 Highlights <a href="https://t.co/G3g19T48hH">pic.twitter.com/G3g19T48hH</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1727985023956001263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 6\. Fenerbahce ends Efes's reign

It was the death of a basketball party that lasted for the best part of five years. During that time, Anadolu Efes Istanbul won consecutive EuroLeague crowns in 2021 and 2022, reached another championship game in 2019 and led the 2019-20 regular season (24-4 record) when the competition was halted. Efes struggled all season and eventually ran out of playoff chances. It was crosstown rivals Fenerbahce who had the final say, [downing Efes 103-86 in Round 33](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2022/290/) behind 26 points from Nigel Hayes-Davis. Efes was mathematically eliminated and its golden age as one of the best teams in EuroLeague history was over.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Maç Bizim! 💪<br><br>Tebrikler Fenerbahçe Beko! <br><br>Maç Sonucu | Fenerbahçe Beko 🆚 Anadolu Efes: 103-86<br><br>Skor dağılımımız: Hayes-Davis 26, Pierre 17, Dorsey 17, Calathes 14, Motley 11, Guduric 10, Jekiri 8. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/6C1vD5AbX2">pic.twitter.com/6C1vD5AbX2</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1644063132384481286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 5\. Real makes playoffs history

No team had come back from a 0-2 deficit to win a playoff series. Partizan surprised *Los Blancos* at WiZink Center not once, but twice, in the opening games of the series. Walter Tavares, who was hurt in Game 1, returned with a monster Game 3 performance to lead Real to an 80-82 win: 26 points, 11 rebounds and a PIR of 41. In Game 4, Tavares had a critical three-point play in the final minute to lift Real to a 78-85 win. In do-or-die Game 5, Partizan led 60-75 late in the third quarter and seemed to have both feet in the Final Four. Sergio Rodriguez and Sergio Llull led a mammoth 28-8 run, and [Los Blancos claimed a 98-94 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/real-madrid-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2022/325/) to make history.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">👏 REMONTADA HISTÓRICA 👏 <a href="https://t.co/w7JILRQQGE">pic.twitter.com/w7JILRQQGE</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1656430857438081027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 4\. Monaco makes history

AS Monaco became the latest team to qualify for the Final Four. It was close to making it in 2022, but lost Game 5 on the road against Olympiacos Piraeus. This time, [Monaco hosted Game 5 against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/as-monaco-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2022/324/) and made sure to make the most out of its home-court advantage. Maccabi led 76-79 midway through the fourth quarter in Game 5 before Jordan Loyd scored 8 points in a 10-0 run that put Monaco on the right track to the Final Four, 86-79. Just eight years earlier, in 205, Monaco had won the French second division title. Its meteoric rise to become one of the best teams in Europe is worth studying in the basketball history books.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> MOOD 🎊 <br><br>A first-ever Final Four appearance deserves to be celebrated as such! <a href="https://t.co/kroBcTtgqQ">pic.twitter.com/kroBcTtgqQ</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1656399677758009345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 3\. Tavares is Final Four MVP

Looking back at Final Fours this century, Ekpe Udoh was the only center to be chosen as Final Four MVP. [Walter Tavares joined him on that list](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/edy-tavares-crowned-as-final-four-mvp/), putting together two strong performances to lead Real Madrid to its 11th title. Tavares was a dominant force in the semifinals *Clasico* against FC Barcelona with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks for a PIR of 39. In the championship game against Olympiacos, Tavares had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds for a PIR of 20. His roll of honors is overwhelming: two-time champion, three-time All-EuroLeague First Team, three-time Best Defender and 2023 Final Four MVP!

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 in every sense of the word 💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/waltertavares22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@waltertavares22</a> collects his MVP of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> award 🏆🇨🇻 <a href="https://t.co/PWg0mRro2s">pic.twitter.com/PWg0mRro2s</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1660363434658086915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 2\. Sloukas's playoffs victory

The playoffs series between Olympiacos and Fenerbahce was one of the best ever. With the series tied at 1-1, Sasha Vezenkov tied Game 3 at 69-69 with a catch-and-shoot eight-meter bomb in the final minute. Marko Guduric buried a jumper for a 71-69 score with 3.8 seconds remaining. Olympiacos called timeout and put the ball in Kostas Sloukas's hands. He called for a pick-and-roll play with Vezenkov and when Fenerbahce switched, [Sloukas knew he had a chance and buried a three-point dagger](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-olympiacos-piraeus/E2022/315/), highly contested by Nigel Hayes-Davis. Olympiacos won the game at the buzzer, 71-72, and ended up winning the series.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">KOSTAS SLOUKAS WINS THE GAME 🥶 <a href="https://t.co/y1LSv6TKbl">pic.twitter.com/y1LSv6TKbl</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1653849266274590722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### 1\. Llull's shot for the ages

The 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game went down to the final seconds and Sergio Llull made the difference down the stretch. Llull took center Moustapha Fall one-on-one, stopped at the right elbow and buried a rainbow jumper with 3.1 seconds left. If you see the replay, Llull barely flicks his wrist to avoid Fall's block, hitting a shot for the ages. When Sloukas missed at the other end, [Real had won its 11th continental title](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/olympiacos-piraeus-real-madrid/E2022/330/) and Llull had claimed his third EuroLeague crown. Just as with Georgios Printezis in 2012, when people look back to the 2022-23 EuroLeague, Llull's name will be the first to come to mind!

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/23Llull?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@23Llull</a> FOR THE WIN 🥶🥶🥶 <a href="https://t.co/AnvwUMaEeE">pic.twitter.com/AnvwUMaEeE</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1660362951952302080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>