After an incredible Round 12 saw all nine games decided by 7 points or less, including two overtime thrillers, the most competitive league in the world keeps on coming with Round 13 on Thursday and Friday. Here's your overview of the action.
Round 13: Encore, encore!
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Thursday, December 7
ALBA Berlin vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul
Two of Tuesday's winners go head to head with fresh breezes of confidence at their backs despite mutual injury woes as ALBA (2-10) hosts Efes (6-6) in Berlin. ALBA's narrow victory over Zalgiris ended a six-game losing streak, and the host can take confidence from a much-improved defensive performance which allowed just 20 field goals to be converted by forcing 23 turnovers. Offensively, Johannes Thiemann was again the main contributor with 16 points on 10-of-11 free throws, and dealing with his physical presence is a major challenge for Efes. That task will largely fall to Tyrique Jones, who delivered a monster performance in Efes's win over Panathinaikos with 21 points and 13 rebounds including 7 at the offensive end, and he will look to maintain that form in Berlin.
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Real Madrid
Real (11-1) is aiming to complete a perfect Greek week as it travels to Panathinaikos (6-6), which wants to respond after losing at Efes on Tuesday. The Greens couldn't get their offense going, with nobody scoring more than 13 points, and will look to Kostas Sloukas to recover his best form after netting just 6 and 9 points in the last two games. Real showed its defensive excellence by holding Olympiacos to 71 points to claim victory in Piraeus on Tuesday, while Mario Hezonja and Dzanan Musa delivered at the offensive end with 18 and 23 points, respectively. Head coach Chus Mateo's deep roster has been further strengthened by Carlos Alocen returning from injury after 22 months out, and the reigning champ will be a tough nut to crack at the OAKA.
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
After consecutive thrilling home wins, fast-rising Partizan (6-6) will look to make it three in a row against a Milan team (4-8) which is looking to bounce back from two straight losses. Both teams had overtime games on Tuesday night, with Partizan overcoming Monaco while Milan lost at Bayern, so energy reserves will be tested and Milan's extra travel miles could be a hindrance. The return of Kevin Punter from injury has given a fresh dimension to Partizan's attack with 13 and 25 points, while recent signing Bruno Caboclo has strengthened the frontcourt and grabbed 4 offensive boards on Tuesday. Milan can always count on Shavon Shields, who netted 26 points in the loss at Bayern, but Ettore Messina needs more of his players to consistently deliver.
Friday, December 8
A pair of teams looking to recover winning ways meet in Kaunas as Zalgiris (5-7) hosts Monaco (7-5) as both look to salvage the double-round week with a victory. The Lithuanian team was held to a season low of just 62 points in Tuesday's loss at ALBA, with Dovydas Giedraitis posting 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists as the only bright spot in an otherwise disappointing display. Monaco was downed in an overtime thriller by Partizan despite 23 points on 9-of-11 field goal shooting from Donatas Motiejunas, and now has to find enough energy to confront the always electric atmosphere at Zalgirio Arena. Monaco looks after the basketball better than any other team, committing a league low of 10.3 turnovers per game, and will aim for that kind of control against a hungry host.
Olympiacos Piraeus vs. FC Bayern Munich
After the emotional high of Tuesday's stunning overtime win over Milan, Bayern (6-6) will take the feelgood factor of a three-game winning streak to face an Olympiacos (6-6) desperate to bounce back from consecutive defeats. It's a meeting between two of the seven teams heading into Round 13 tied for seventh place, and a key figure will surely be Serge Ibaka, who hit 20 points against Milan, including an incredible buzzer-beating triple to force overtime. Bayern, which has never won in Piraeus, will also look for Carsen Edwards to continue his scoring streak after draining 32 points on Tuesday. Olympiacos needs more backcourt support for Thomas Walkup, the only player to score more than 10 points (17) in Tuesday's loss to Real.
Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv
Boosted by an impressive second-half comeback against Barcelona on Wednesday, third-placed Virtus (8-4) will look to keep on rolling against direct rival Maccabi (7-5). Iffe Lundberg scored 6 points in the last 90 seconds to seal victory earlier this week, and now he faces the significant challenge of overcoming Maccabi's potent backcourt. Lorenzo Brown (16 points, 4 assists) and Wade Baldwin (21 points, 8 assists) were both on song to secure a thrilling victory at ASVEL in Round 12, while Bonzie Colson also continued his hot streak with 15 points. Maccabi has the third-best offense in the league (85.5 ppg.), but Virtus – which has won six straight at home - is close behind (82.8), so this should be a high-scoring thriller.
Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade
Baskonia (7-5) aims for a third consecutive win with history on its side in the form of eight victories in a row against Zvezda (4-8) which has not won on the road this season.
It's a swift reunion for Zvezda with former coach Dusko Ivanovic, whose transformation of Baskonia's fortunes continued with an 80-79 thriller over Fenerbahce on Wednesday. Markus Howard was the hero, netting 28 points including a game-winning triple with 7 seconds remaining, while big man Maik Kotsar continued his good form with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Zvezda is coming off a hard-fought loss at Valencia and needs big men Joel Bolomboy (12.5 points and 6 rebounds over the last two games) and Luka Mitrovic (11.5 ppg., 5.2 rpg.) to establish an inside presence at Buesa Arena.
FC Barcelona vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul
Two of Wednesday's narrow losers look for a quick response as Barcelona (9-3) protects its perfect home record against inconsistent Fenerbahce (6-6).
The Turkish team has lost five in a row on the road, but came close to success at Baskonia in Round 12 through a powerful inside game, with 22 of 38 two-pointers converted including 4 of 5 by Johnathan Motley. That kind of effectiveness will be important against a Barca team led by the paint presence of Willy Hernangomez and former Fenerbahce star Jan Vesely, who respectively scored 15 and 13 in Wednesday's defeat at Virtus. Fenerbahce point guard Nick Calathes is another player going up against his old team, and his battle with Tomas Satoransky for backcourt control could be pivotal.
LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Valencia Basket
After suffering yet another close defeat, ASVEL (2-10) will again aim to end its long losing streak against a Valencia team (6-6) which did exactly that two days ago.
Wednesday's 91-94 home loss against Maccabi, despite 23 points and 9 rebounds from Joffrey Lauvergne, means the French club has now lost four straight games by an average of just 5 points. ASVEL head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco will hope the experience of former Valencia star Nando De Colo (13.8 ppg.) can help end that sequence and drag the team from the foot of the standings. The visiting team showed resilience to overcome Zvezda's comeback attempt on Wednesday, and will be led by ex-ASVEL guard Chris Jones (11.5 ppg., 4.6 apg.).