AS Monaco star Mike James is the latest player to step into the spotlight as part of the "Remember The Why" series, a Euroleague Basketball and Adidas collaboration in which Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars discuss their personal journeys in in-depth interviews.

James is one of the great scorers in EuroLeague history. A two-time All-EuroLeague selection and the 2019 Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy winner, he has played for five EuroLeague clubs and qualified for the playoffs with four of them. He also played for three teams in the NBA. James is one of four players ranked among the all-time top 10 in both points scored and assists

His success on the Old Continent was never part of the plan for James, who was unsure where life would take him after starring with Lamar University in college, where he set the school record with a 52-point game. He settled on an offer to play for Zagreb in Croatia and embraced the opportunity. 

"I didn’t really have any knowledge of Europe or overseas basketball, what the like concept was. So I didn’t really know a lot about it," James said. "I was ready for anything. I was ready to go hoop. I like playing basketball and I got an opportunity to keep playing. So I was just thankful."

Slowly but surely, James climbed the ladder. After shining against EuroLeague powerhouses Panathinaikos Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus while playing for Greek club Kolossos Rhodes, he got the call some players wait a lifetime for. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz signed midway through the 2014-15 season James and he proved he was a worthy EuroLeague player immediately.

James made his only Final Four appearance in his second season with Baskonia and has since played for Panathinaikos, Milan, CSKA Moscow and now Monaco. Over that time, James has not only established himself as a EuroLeague star, but in some waves helped pave the way for the next generation of talented American guards to find success at the top level in Europe. 

"I like to think I’m like the gap between, for the new point guards \[in Europe\]. There’s kind of a lot of American point guards now who are kind of playing more like how I played when I first got over and was kind of frowned upon, but now they’re, you know, kind of like the new wave, which is cool just to watch and to watch the development," James said.

Despite his dominance as a scorer and reaching the playoffs nearly every season, there is still a thing or two that gnaw at James and he knows his resume will not be complete until he gets it.   

"Just the championship, really," James confessed. "I don’t have an MVP, but I don’t think it like hurts me in any way, really. I think there are a couple years I could have won it and I think that’s a general thing that people know, so it doesn’t bother me as much. But definitely, two championships. I need two."

At age 32, James is still playing his best basketball and next week will lead Monaco into a playoff clash with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. His team has the home-court advantage as James seeks his first Final Four since 2016.  

Regardless of the outcome, it's safe to say that James will keep coming back for more, as long as he can keep competing at the highest level. Why?

"I think I just love it. I just enjoy basketball. Like watching it, studying it, playing it, being around it. Watching other people play. I just enjoy every facet of it. So I think that's my why."

Remember The Why | Mike James | Adidas x EuroLeague

#RememberTheWhy with Mike James: 'I just love basketball'

Whether because of shooting at familiar baskets, eating and sleeping in familiar settings, or hearing  the roar of familiar fans at your back, home-court advantage matters. That's precisely why teams all over the world battle through the largest part of every season trying to win that advantage going into the playoffs.

Home sweet home to be tested in these playoffs

Whether because of shooting at familiar baskets, eating and sleeping in familiar settings, or hearing  the roar of familiar fans at your back, home-court advantage matters. That's precisely why teams all over the world battle through the largest part of every season trying to win that advantage going into the playoffs.

And it's clear that at the height of the season, when the most ambitious goals are hanging in the balance, the advantage of playing at home seems to matter most in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Throughout this century, the rate of EuroLeague Regular Season games won by home teams has been fairly constant. In 18 out of 23 seasons, that rate fell between 60.8% and 65.8%. Interestingly, the only season higher was 70.0% in the 2010-11, which turned out to be the worst season ever for home teams in the playoffs. This league-wide home win rate going into the playoffs this season is 63.4%, although for the more-dominant playoff teams, that rate is 80.2%.

In the playoffs, where you might presume that battles between the very best teams would yield more upsets, the opposite has been true. Teams who earned home-court advantage have won 80.9% of all playoff series since 2005. That figure was 87.5% in best-of-three series (14-2) between 2005 and 2008, but has only dropped to 78.8% in best-of-five series (41-11) since 2009.

As the beginnings and ends of playoff series, home dominance weighs even more. Host teams have won 85.3% of Game 1s since 2005 and have gone on to become Final Four qualifiers in 89.7% of those series. But even more than winning Game 1, hosting the final game of any series has been the best guarantee of success.

Nine do-or-die Game 3s between 2005 and 2008 produced a lone rode winner, Baskonia over Panathinaikos in 2006, giving home teams a win rate of 88.9%. In the best-of-five era since then, home teams in Game 5s are unbeaten at 15-0! That's a combined 95.8% success rate for home teams in do-or-die playoff finales. Only starting a best-of-five series 2-0, which has resulted in Final Four qualifications in 25 out of 25 instances, has been proven to be as much of a guarantee as hosting the final game.

Could this season be different? There are reasons to consider that possibility.

One, Zeljko Obradovic is coaching sixth-seeded [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-nis-belgrade/roster/par/?season=2022-23) without home-court advantage against third-seeded Real Madrid. Obradovic has won 10 of 11 playoff series since 2005, all except the aforementioned loss by Panathinaikos to Baskonia in 2006. He also owns the only 0-3 sweep in playoffs history by a team that started its series on the road, his 2017-18 Fenerbahce Istanbul team that proceeded to lift the trophy at the Final Four.

The other, broader reason to believe this season could be different is the closeness of the regular season. Since all teams began playing all others in the 2016-17 season, there has never been so little daylight between the playoff teams in terms of victories.

A final factor that cannot be ignored is that the four teams that begin the upcoming playoffs on the road all rank among the top six teams in attendance this season. What's more, save for the series between [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2022-23) and [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2022-23), each of them more than doubles the average home attendance of their opponents. That is true of Partizan against [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2022-23), [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/roster/zal/?season=2022-23) against [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/roster/bar/?season=2022-23) and [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2022-23) against [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2022-23).

Higher attendance can cut both ways, though. Many visiting players profess to the opposite of intimidation in such settings; they, too, are excited to play in packed houses of between 10,000 fans on average, in the case of Maccabi, up to 17,700, in the case of Partizan. And of course, none would be among the top four teams in the competition if playing in front of great opposing crowds were, by itself, enough to stop them. Still, when all those fans are rooting for the other team, it can make a difference. Which is why it's better for the visitors to those places to begin the series with home-court advantage.

Home teams have ruled the roost since the modern playoffs system started in the EuroLeague almost two decades ago. We will find out over the next three weeks if arguably the most competitive season ever makes this moment different.

Olympiacos Piraeus v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-04-26T18:45:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-04-25T18:45:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-04-25T18:15:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-04-28T18:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-04-28T18:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-04-27T18:45:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-04-27T18:15:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-04-26T18:00:00.000Z)

The roar of the crowd, the rumble of the seats, the flashes of the cameras, the anticipation of the moment…  All of that contributes to the fan experience at a great sporting event. And for more than a decade, Zalgirio Arena, located on Nemunas Island in the heart of Kaunas, has delivered those experiences as well as any other basketball venue in the world. 

Meet the Final Four co-star: Zalgirio Arena

The roar of the crowd, the rumble of the seats, the flashes of the cameras, the anticipation of the moment…  All of that contributes to the fan experience at a great sporting event. And for more than a decade, Zalgirio Arena, located on Nemunas Island in the heart of Kaunas, has delivered those experiences as well as any other basketball venue in the world. 

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four is headed to Zalgirio Arena in May knowing that the combination of the pinnacle of the European basketball calendar, the magic of the arena itself and Lithuania's passion for the sport will create an atmosphere that is second to none. 

The largest multifunctional arena in the Baltic region, Zalgirio Arena can and has hosted a wide array of events, from handball to volleyball, fitness and ice skating competition, theatrical events, expos and other private functions. However, it is most used for basketball games and concerts. 

Zalgiris Kaunas regularly sells out its Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games at the basketball seating capacity of 15,415, though the arena can fit in another 5,000 spectators for concerts. The Zalgirio Arena record for attendance is 20,517 for a concert by Lithuanian pop band SEL in 2015. The arena also has smaller halls, which can accommodate more intimate shows for as few as 400 people. 

Opened in 2011, the management has sought to keep it state-of-the-art in every way by continually maintaining and upgrading all the accoutrements, from lighting and acoustics and LED screens to the bars, bathrooms and lounges.  

Among the chart-topping artists to perform at Zalgirio Arena over the years are Dua Lipa, Robbie Williams, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, Kylie Minogue, Enrique Iglesias, Andrea Bocelli, Lenny Kravitz, Eric Clapton, Rammstein, OneRepublic, Muse, Elton John, Katie Melua, Sting, Bryan Adams, James Blunt and Mariah Carey. The major sporting events to take place at the arena include EuroBasket 2011 and the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup.  

And soon enough, the devotion of the fans at the EuroLeague Final Four will leave its mark on the home of Lithuanian basketball.

The second stage of a phenomenal Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is set! On the final night of the regular season, the playoffs bracket was completed with three more pairings to give fans a tantalizing quartet of best-of-five series starting on Tuesday, April 25. Here are the matchups and schedule through the first four games of each series.

EuroLeague playoffs at a glance

The second stage of a phenomenal Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is set! On the final night of the regular season, the playoffs bracket was completed with three more pairings to give fans a tantalizing quartet of best-of-five series starting on Tuesday, April 25. Here are the matchups and schedule through the first four games of each series.

### Olympiacos Piraeus (1) vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (8)

In a rematch of their 2018 championship game, regular-season winner [Olympiacos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2022-23) will have home-court advantage against [Fenerbahce](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2022-23) in the playoffs. The Reds ride a nine-game home-court winning streak into the series and enter the playoffs for the second year running after missing back-to-back seasons. Last season Coach Bartzokas's team edged AS Monaco in a thrilling five-game series. Olympiacos had reached the playoffs for 10 successive years from 2006 through 2015. Fenerbahce returns to the playoffs after missing last season. Before that, it had been to the postseason in six straight seasons and gone to five Final Fours. Historically, Fenerbahce is one of only two teams with a winning record on the road in the playoffs (7-5). The Reds swept Fenerbahce this season, winning 94-67 at home in Round 13 and 74-93 in Istanbul in late January. 

Catch up on Olympiacos Piraeus vs Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul from Round 31 of the 2020/21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, March 26 2021

Olympiacos Piraeus vs Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul Highlights - Round 31 - March 26, 2021

### FC Barcelona (2) vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (7)

The rich histories of these two teams will overlap as [Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/roster/bar/?season=2022-23) looks to make a third consecutive trip to the Final Four at the expense of [Zalgiris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/roster/zal/?season=2022-23), which competes in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and hopes to advance to the Final Four on its home floor. The Lithuanian champs’ last Final Four was in 2018. Barcelona is led by a Kaunas hometown hero in Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius in addition to EuroLeague Rising Star Rokas Jokubaitis, who is a product of the Zalgiris system. Zalgiris forward Rolands Smits joined the club last summer after four seasons with Barcelona. The two teams have split their games in each of the last two seasons, which the home team winning each time. 

FC Barcelona - Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 26 | Highlights

### Real Madrid (3) vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (6)

[Real](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2022-23) storms into the playoffs for the 10th season in a row, which is the longest active streak in the competition, to face [Partizan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-nis-belgrade/roster/par/?season=2022-23) which parked itself among the final eight in its return to the EuroLeague after an eight-season hiatus. Real has been to four of the last five Final Fours. The last time Partizan reached the playoffs was in 2010 when it upended Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-1 despite not having the home-court advantage. The two teams split home games during the regular season. Of note, Real guard Nigel Williams-Goss began his professional career with Partizan in 2017-18 and Partizan big man joined Partizan from Real in January. Coach Zeljko Obradovic spent three seasons on the sidelines in Madrid and led Los Blancos to the 1995 EuroLeague crown.  

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade - Real Madrid | Round 32 | Highlights

### AS Monaco (4) vs.Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (5)

It'll be a first-time playoff rendezvous between the second-year club from the principality, [Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2022-23), and one of Europe's historic mainstays, [Maccabi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2022-23). Monaco reached the playoffs last year in its EuroLeague debut, but lost Game 5 on the road in a classic against Olympiacos. This time Monaco has the home-court advantage while Maccabi tries to win a playoff series for just the second time in the last decade, the other being when it won without home-court advantage to go on and lift the trophy in 2014. This season, Maccabi beat Monaco at home in Round 3, 78-70, but got hammered 86-67 in the rematch in the principality in Round 26.

AS Monaco - Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 26 | Highlights

Olympiacos Piraeus players and head coach Georgios Bartzokas were right to feel that they achieved something special by ending the regular season in the first place with the best record in the competition.

First-place Reds can now focus on playoff goals

It might not be a reason to raise a banner, it is not a position that will guarantee success in the playoffs or potentially at the EuroLeague Final Four. But Olympiacos Piraeus players and head coach Georgios Bartzokas were right to feel that they achieved something special by ending the regular season in first place with the best record in the competition.

"It is not a small accomplishment", Bartzokas proudly stated after Thursday's wire-to-wire 86-78 win over visiting Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. "It is the most competitive EuroLeague ever, and we end up first. We were really stable the whole season."

The Reds were the first team to reach the playoffs this season, then first to secure home-court advantage. After doing all that, Olympiacos set itself a goal of clinching first place, and the team achieved that goal, too.

Olympiacos never lost more than two consecutive games the entire seasons, and it happened twice, but never after Round 15. Starting with Round 20, the Reds spent all but one round atop of the standings.

The Reds' players also dominated the main statistical categories. Vezenkov led the regular season in points (17.6 pg.) and PIR (19.6) and was second in rebounding (7.1 rpg.) and two-point shots made (4.5 per game). Thomas Walkup finished atop the steals charts (1.9 spg.) and Moustapha Fall had the best two-point shooting percentages (75.2%). Kostas Sloukas and Walkup each averaged 5.9 assists, in third and fourth place, respectively, and Kostas Papanikolaou was fifth 48.0% three-point accuracy.

However, despite all that, it never felt that the Reds could fully relax, nor did they want to. That included their regular season finale, which they could have played just for prestige against a visiting team battling for its dear playoff life. But, Olympiacos took care of that, too, leading from start to finish, digging deep on defense against the EuroLeague's top scoring offense.

Game Videos

This Olympiacos win was very much the personification of their season, being pushed, but also pushing themselves to the very end.

When Papanikolaou was asked what he would like to carry over from the regular season into the playoffs, he did not hesitate much when answering.

"Our commitment," the veteran forward said, after a night in which he shot 4-for-5 from long range and finished with 16 points and 9 rebounds. "How we approach every game, how we were hungry coming out, and our willingness to perform night in and night out, that's the most important \[to continue doing\]".

Game News

But Papanikolaou, a two-time champion who has played in five Final Fours, knows the Reds need to now focus on the playoffs and leave their successful regular season behind them. In the best-of-five quarterfinals, they will meet the eighth-placed Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, a team they swept during the regular season with a 27-point win at home and a 20-point victory in Istanbul, however, that will not matter much in the upcoming games.

"The playoffs are a whole different story. One bad night can take out the whole season. Now it is even more important, and we need to step up even more and be even more hungry, to present \[again\] what we have been presenting this year", Papanikolaou concluded.

Olympiacos Piraeus v Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-04-13T18:00:00.000Z)

**THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS**: "The Crossover", hosted by Joe Arlauckas, has won the award for the best basketball podcast! Congratulations, Joe!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A message from the host <a href="https://twitter.com/jarlauckas8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jarlauckas8</a> 🎤 <br><br>Now in its fifth season 👏 <br><br>&quot;The Crossover&quot; has featured many big-name guests, including Zeljko Obradovic, Vassilis Spanoulis, David Blatt, Vasilije Micic and <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNatural_05?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheNatural_05</a> and many more. <a href="https://t.co/1CafLLU8EV">https://t.co/1CafLLU8EV</a> <a href="https://t.co/cmTlVjVWWT">pic.twitter.com/cmTlVjVWWT</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1647263849706409989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**LEGENDS IN TEL AVIV**: Before Thursday's game in Tel Aviv between Maccabi Playtika and Real Madrid, the home team organized a ceremony to honor one of Maccabi's all-time greats, Aulcie Perry. The night before, several of the former Real and Maccabi players joined Perry for dinner at a Tel Aviv restaurant, where they reminisced over their former battles on the floor and embraced the friendships that have developed since.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Cena de confraternización ayer por la noche en Tel Aviv de 6 de nuestros miembros: Brabender, Biriukov, Antúnez, Cabrera, Beirán y Ramos, con vets y representantes del <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaccabitlvBC</a> con motivo del homenaje de mañana del equipo israelí a un su figura y gran rival: Aulcie Perry. <a href="https://t.co/bmfJF80hda">pic.twitter.com/bmfJF80hda</a></p>&mdash; Leyendas Blancas (@LeyendasRMB) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeyendasRMB/status/1646300887084679170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 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">Maccabi &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> legends come together to honor the great Aulcie Perry 8⃣⭐️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreMaccabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreMaccabi</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LeyendasRMB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LeyendasRMB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/9FelipeReyes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@9FelipeReyes</a> <a href="https://t.co/WtSDxsaQ3Y">pic.twitter.com/WtSDxsaQ3Y</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1647209707784863744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**ACTING JOBS**: Olympiacos extended the contracts of Shaquielle McKissic and Thomas Walkup, and their social media team got creative in announcing them.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🙃📹   That&#39;s true rejuvenation! Watch the Full Video and you will figure everything out!<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaqInTheBox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaqInTheBox</a> secured his seat for next season (2023-24).<br>Did you? 🎟️ <a href="https://t.co/7CuTq2WlEE">https://t.co/7CuTq2WlEE</a> (<a href="https://t.co/7CuTq2WlEE">https://t.co/7CuTq2WlEE</a>)<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/3UEG5otD46">pic.twitter.com/3UEG5otD46</a></p>&mdash; OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1645777145665298433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 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">⚓️🐙✍️🏾 What if <a href="https://twitter.com/twalkup23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@twalkup23</a> can’t pronounce correctly the word “ktapodi” (octopus in Greek)? He has four years ahead to fix his Greek speaking skills!!!<br> <br>Walkup secured his seat for next season (2023-24).<br>Did you? 🎟️ <a href="https://t.co/7CuTq2WlEE">https://t.co/7CuTq2WlEE</a><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/btg12i536Q">pic.twitter.com/btg12i536Q</a></p>&mdash; OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1646106245173063680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**BODY CAM**: Bayern's Cassius Winston wore a body cam at practice. Here is a sneak peek.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🅶🅴🆃 🆄🅿 🆃🅷🅴🆁🅴<br><br>Watchin&#39; the oop from <a href="https://twitter.com/cassiuswinston?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cassiuswinston</a> perspective.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeThePlayer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeThePlayer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BodyCamera?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BodyCamera</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mindfly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mindfly</a> || <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AudiDome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AudiDome</a> <a href="https://t.co/ofz83ndRYM">pic.twitter.com/ofz83ndRYM</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1646048932722614276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**GETTING CLOSER**: The construction of Bayern's new arena is making progress every day.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">𝑻𝑯𝑨𝑻 𝑽𝒊𝒆𝒘 🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/SAPGarden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sapgarden</a> 𝐅𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐞 | 𝟏𝟎𝟖𝟎𝐱𝟏𝟎𝟖𝟎 | 𝐅𝐥𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐚 | 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑<br><br>__________________________<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StadiumPhotography?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StadiumPhotography</a> || <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PicturePerfect?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PicturePerfect</a> <a href="https://t.co/FWONk7ZjD9">pic.twitter.com/FWONk7ZjD9</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1647289682927943682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**GOOD TO SEE YOU**: Real's Rudy Fernandez and Mario Hezonja were very happy to see their former teammate Lorenzo Brown in Tel Aviv.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My bros 🤞🏾 <a href="https://t.co/lPtfCTGhoX">https://t.co/lPtfCTGhoX</a></p>&mdash; Lorenzo Brown (@Zo_Brown) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zo_Brown/status/1646643021591527424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

**THURSDAY NIGHT DRAMA**: The night before their game in Munich, instead of some routine meetings and scouting of the next opponent, all eyes of the Zalgiris coaching staff were on the game in Piraeus, knowing Zalgiris needed a Baskonia loss to have a chance to qualify for the playoffs.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">(Not so) usual EuroLeague night. 👀 <a href="https://t.co/TKbxnUAWg5">pic.twitter.com/TKbxnUAWg5</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1646589182930812928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**EUROLEAGUE FANS**: Belgrade's Stark Arena was packed once again, while Zalgiris fans traveled well to Munich, and partied outside the Audi Dome where Kevarrius Hayes joined in. In Tel Aviv, players and fans danced and bounced together.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Unbelievable footage 🤯🔥🎥<br>🖤🤍 <a href="https://t.co/SyG3pAS6v2">https://t.co/SyG3pAS6v2</a></p>&mdash; Danilo Andjusic (@Djusa33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Djusa33/status/1647341562320257025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 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">Zalgiris fans are rocking in Audi Dome! <a href="https://t.co/q2wW1T5csQ">pic.twitter.com/q2wW1T5csQ</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1646957473008439306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Party in Munich (and in Kaunas)! 🥳 <a href="https://t.co/XjFoWbAtwK">pic.twitter.com/XjFoWbAtwK</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1646985878835802115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 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">Post W mood <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaccabitlvBC</a> ⤵️ <a href="https://t.co/tFy3rc9XPI">pic.twitter.com/tFy3rc9XPI</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1646622416192299010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**EUROLEAGUE SPORTSMANSHIP**: Baskonia was eliminated on Friday night, but in a classy move, it was among the first to congratulate Zalgiris on making the playoffs. Valencia also congratulated all the teams that reached the playoffs.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you, <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a>! It was a serious fight! 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/H2nPSXRkLC">https://t.co/H2nPSXRkLC</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1647140310558842883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 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">Hey 👋<a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympiacos_BC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBbasket</a><a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a><a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaccabitlvBC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PartizanBC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bczalgiris</a><a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBBasketbol</a> <br><br>Congrats on your <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> playoff run and good luck! 👏<br><br>Zorionak bidean, <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a> 👏 <a href="https://t.co/4I4Ulsuer8">https://t.co/4I4Ulsuer8</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1646979203844153344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 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">Congrats to all the teams that made it into the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> playoffs 🔥<br><br>Big respect to the ones who haven’t – let’s meet again next season 👏 <a href="https://t.co/Thkw186IKC">pic.twitter.com/Thkw186IKC</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket EN 🏀 (@ASMBasket_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMBasket_EN/status/1646976323728842761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**WINNERS' CORNER**: Zalgiris won to book a place in the playoffs and Olympiacos clinched first place.

EuroLeague week on social media

Fenerbahce's Johnathan Motley gets a hand on the shot of Crvena Zvezda's Facu Campazzo

Josh Nebo  of Maccabi dunks against Real Madrid

Dee Bost of ASVEL tries to strip the ball from ALBA Berlin's Maodo Lo

Johannes Voigtmann of Milan dunks in Bologna

Matt Costello of Baskonia looks to protect the rim against Olympiacos's Joel Bolomboy

Ante Zizic of Efes tips the ball in against Monaco 

Isaiah Taylor of Zalgiris looks to shake off the defense of Bayern's Corey Walden 

Yoan Makoundou of Monaco dunks against Efes

Jasiel Rivero of Valencia Basket tries to score in front of Barcelona's Sertac Sanli

Dante Exum of Partizan dunks on Panathinaikos center Arturas Gudaitis

Look back at all the action from Round 34 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

 The Top 10 photos of the week, Round 34

### Papanikolaou shot with confidence in Piraeus

[Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) was on fire for Olympiacos Piraeus in [its 86-78 first-place clinching win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/olympiacos-piraeus-cazoo-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2022/300/) over Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. Making his 270th career start, Papanikolaou made the first 4 three-pointers he shot, before missing his last attempt in the fourth quarter. Olympiacos forward also made 1-of-2 two-point shots and finished the game with 16 points. Papanikolaou also pulled down 9 rebounds, tied for his season high. A timely effort, as it is the first time that Papanikolaou scored more than 10 points since Round 25.

Kostas Papanikolaou (16 points) Highlights vs. Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, 04/13/2023

Papanikolaou shot with confidence in Piraeus

### Yabusele starred in Tel Aviv

Real Madrid came out on the wrong side of [a 100-96 overtime decision](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-real-madrid/E2022/301/) against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, but [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/) had himself the best scoring night of his career. The French forward set a new career best with 25 points, tying his career high with 4 three-pointers made on 7 attempts. Playing a career-high 41:30 minutes, Yabusele also had 8 rebounds and 4 assists, accumulating a PIR of 29. Real might have come up just short against Maccabi, but this was second consecutive road game in which Yabusele has performed at this level. A good sign for Los Blancos heading into the upcoming playoffs.

Guerschon Yabusele (25 points) Highlights vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, 04/13/2023

Yabusele starred in Tel Aviv

### Dobric scoring helped Zvezda sink Fenerbahce

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade finished the season on a five-game winning streak, and once again it was [Ognjen Dobric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-dobric/004007/) who was instrumental in Zvezda's success. In [a 91-89 overtime win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2022/298/) against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Dobric scored 22 points, 1 more than his previous career high. He played 31 minutes and made 6-of-9 two-pointers and 3-of-5 threes, while pulling down 3 rebounds. Dobric accumulated a season-high PIR of 19, helping Zvezda play role of a spoiler to perfection for the last time this season.

Ognjen Dobric (22 points) Highlights vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, 04/13/2023

Dobric scoring helped Zvezda sink Fenerbahce

### Olinde helped ALBA put away ASVEL

ALBA Berlin finished its EuroLeague season on a high with [an 88-71 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/alba-berlin-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2022/299/) over visiting LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Big man [Louis Olinde](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/louis-olinde/006919/) was one of the main protagonists in ALBA's win, scoring a joint team-high 12 points and also pulling down 6 rebounds. Half of Olinde's points came in the fourth quarter, when he helped ALBA quickly double its 8-point lead en route to a victory. Olinde, who never made more than 4 two-point shots in a single game, was 6-of-8 on two-pointers in this one – and he reached that mark in less than 17 minutes on the floor.

Louis Olinde (13 points) Highlights vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, 04/13/2023

Olinde helped ALBA put away ASVEL

### Butkevicius made his impact felt against Bayern

[Arnas Butkevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/arnas-butkevicius/002676/)'s 4 points do not exactly stand out when taking a look at the box score of [Zalgiris Kaunas's 80-83 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/fc-bayern-munich-zalgiris-kaunas/E2022/306/) at FC Bayern Munich on Friday night, but he was key in his side booking its spot in the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs. Butkevicius didn’t attempt a shot from the field, instead going an ice-cool 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, yet he pulled down 9 rebounds, 3 on the offensive end and 6 under his basket, in addition to dishing 6 assists, making 1 steal and drawing 2 fouls. His Zalgiris teammates will get the plaudits, but Butkevicius did an excellent job of working in the shadows at Audi Dome on Friday night.

Arnas Butkevicius (4 points) Highlights vs. FC Bayern Munich, 04/14/2023

Butkevicius made his impact felt against Bayern

### Makoundou showed what he can offer in loss at Efes

AS Monaco fell to an 87-72 defeat on the road at Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 34, yet there were some positive things to take away from the game for head coach Sasa Obradovic. The team from the principality, which came into Friday night's contest in the knowledge it had already locked up the fourth seed, decided to give some of its bench players a more prominent role against Efes, and one such player who benefitted was [Yoan Makoundou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yoan-makoundou/011935/). The 22-year-old center has played in just seven EuroLeague games, yet in Round 34 he set personal bests for points (16), rebounds (8) and PIR (19). Perhaps against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in the playoffs, this performance could see Makoundou earn himself more minutes on the court in this series.

Yoan Makoundou (16 points) Highlights vs. Anadolu Efes, 04/14/2023

Makoundou showed what he can offer in loss at Efes

Roll call, Round 34

The 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs are just around the corner, but one prize has already been won in the EuroLeague universe, with Joe Arlauckas's "The Crossover" podcast being named as the winner of the Best Basketball Podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards.

Euroleague Basketball's "The Crossover" crowned Best Basketball Podcast

The 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs are just around the corner, but one prize has already been won in the EuroLeague universe, with Joe Arlauckas's "The Crossover" podcast being named as [the winner of the Best Basketball Podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards](https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/winners-2023/).

There was stiff competition for this year's prize, with Draymond Green's "The Draymond Green Show" and J.J. Redick's "The Old Man and the Three" among the other nominees, but it was "The Crossover" that won out, thanks in no part to the support of its listeners and EuroLeague fans all around the world.

[The Sports Podcast Group](https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/) looks to celebrate the global sports podcast industry with the Sports Podcast Awards, and the triumph of "The Crossover" is the latest feather in the cap for Arlauckas's podcast, which has had millions of listens across both audio and visual platforms since its inception in 2018.

The Crossover - Joe Arlauckas

One of the elements to "The Crossover" that makes it so great for the listener is the way that Arlauckas uses his straight-talking style to engage with players, coaches and directors alike, which always leads to fascinating conversations where guests open themselves to explain untold experiences about their career both on and off the court. Arlauckas has also welcomed referees, general managers and journalists onto the podcast, showing the vast array of opinions that take place on "The Crossover".

Now in its fifth season, "The Crossover" has featured many big-name guests, including [Zeljko Obradovic](https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sCEhjvX6MdHlPhZc5jAWp?si=3480a3af78c14f76&nd=1), [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://open.spotify.com/episode/7eoPcpe6SCvVNH7GSrX02w?si=4caefaf119bf48b4&nd=1), [David Blatt](https://open.spotify.com/episode/5W31kTCalypaUApfZUiSLY?si=fe64e6dab6714a29&nd=1), [Vasilije Micic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzX4CALHhnw&t=841s&ab_channel=EUROLEAGUEBASKETBALL) and [Mike James](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG2o5evRkII) and many more. This season alone has seen appearances from current Euroleague Basketball CEO [Marshall Glickman](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rYpAbSLlCc), 2019 EuroLeague champion [Will Clyburn](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsbw2UCEe3A), legendary coach [Sergio Scariolo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfV9e0HWFaY), among others and all episodes are available in both video and audio format

As well as "The Crossover", EuroLeague fans can also enjoy in both [video](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcjy-GNBj1yw5p-hYGtl5xE7lZBNFVSZ) and [audio](https://podfollow.com/the-crossover-with-joe-arlauckas) format the podcast of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan center Kyle Hines, ["A Quarter with Kyle Hines"](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcjy-GNBj1yw5p-hYGtl5xE7lZBNFVSZ).