With just one win separating fourth place from 11th, the opening games of 2024 could see significant changes in the standings as we head into a double-round week. This is your guide to the action on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This week: Onto the second half we go!
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Tuesday, January 2
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade
In the opening game of 2024, surging Fenerbahce (10-7) will try to make it five straight wins with a visit from inconsistent Zvezda (6-11). The Turkish team has scored at least 80 points in all four games since the arrival of Sarunas Jasikevicus, most recently downing crosstown rival Efes behind 24 points from do-it-all Nigel Hayes-Davis. New signing Freddy Gillespie is available to make his debut for Zvezda, and the former Bayern big man will look to complement the inside presence of Luka Mitrovic and Joel Bolomboy, who scored 15 and 20 points in the last two games on 11-of-13 two-point shooting. Fener will look to control the tempo through Nick Calathes, who has averaged 9 assists in the last three games.
Zalgiris Kaunas vs. ALBA Berlin
New Zalgiris (5-12) coach Andrea Trinchieri will look to start with a win against lowly ALBA (3-14), which has lost all eight road games this season. Trinchieri will aim to restore confidence to a Zalgiris team that has lost six in a row and the three-point shooting of recent arrival Edmond Sumner could be a big asset after he made 3 of 5 triples in last week’s loss to Maccabi. ALBA won the Round 12 meeting between the teams 64-62 and will look to regain that defensive level after shipping 94 and 91 points in its last two games. Johannes Thiemann was key to last month’s win over Zalgiris with 16 points and 6 rebounds and he’ll be expected to perform his usual leadership role as ALBA seeks its first road win.
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. AS Monaco
Two of the four teams tied for fourth place go head to head when Maccabi (10-7) meets Monaco (10-7) in a game with a playoff flavor. Monaco handed the Israeli champ a 107-79 thrashing in October behind the usual stellar showing from Mike James with 24 points, including 4 triples, and he remains in spectacular form with at least 16 points in eight straight games. Maccabi has won three of its last four games, in large part thanks to big man Josh Nebo, who has averaged 19 points and 8 rebounds in his last three appearances. Lorenzo Brown will look to take more care of the basketball after averaging 4.3 turnovers in the last three games, especially against a Monaco squad that has more steals (7.8 per game) than any other team in the competition.
Olympiacos Piraeus vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
Two teams with aspirations far higher than their current position meet in Piraeus when Olympiacos (9-8) hosts Milan (7-10). The Italian team has bolstered its backcourt with the re-signing of Shabazz Napier, while Olympiacos could give a debut to former Milan star Naz Mitrou-Long. Milan’s run of three wins in four games has been largely based on the versatility of last week’s MVP Johannes Voigtmann and fellow big man Nicolo Melli, who has scored at least 16 points in each of the team’s three recent triumphs. After winning its last two games on the road, Olympiacos will look to build further momentum with the help of red-hot Alec Peters, who has continued to be one of this season’s top performers with 17 and 23 points in the last two games.
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne
After losing two in a row, Partizan (9-8) will look to get back onto a winning path with a visit from bottom placed ASVEL (2-15), which is aiming for a first win since mid-November. Shooting ace Jaleen Smith is set to debut for Partizan, and Coach Zeljko Obradovic will hope he can remove some of the scoring burden from Kevin Punter (13.8 points per game) and James Nunnally (13.4). ASVEL still has bad memories of a 62-88 home thrashing against the Serbian team in October, but will hope to build on last week’s narrow loss to Real Madrid, which saw Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot register his 12th consecutive double-digit scoring game with 20 points.
Wednesday, January 3
Valencia Basket vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul
Valencia (9-8) will look to protect its position in the playoff zone with a visit from Efes, which has dropped to 7-10 after losing four in a row. The home team could give a debut to new signing Kevin Pangos, and he’ll hope to feast against an Efes squad that has suffered defensively in recent weeks, allowing at least 86 points in each of its four losses. The Turkish team did a good defensive job when the teams met in Round 4, winning 77-73 behind 15 points and 6 assists from superstar Shane Larkin, who has scored 23 and 28 points in his last two games. Valencia was led by 13 points from Damien Inglis on that occasion and he’ll hope for a return to form after only averaging 5.4 points in the last seven games.
Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. FC Bayern Munich
Second-placed Virtus (12-5) will look to start the new year in style with a visit from dangerous Bayern (8-9). The German team has won two of its last three games, while Virtus has taken five out of six and eight in a row at home. Virtus has signed Ante Zizic to replace the injured Devontae Cacok, and could also give a first appearance in the backcourt to fellow newcomer Rihards Lomasz. Pablo Laso’s men will need to guard against the long-range shooting prowess of Marco Belinelli, who has hit multiple triples in five straight games and 13 of the last 14. Bayern thrashed Virtus 90-76 when the teams met in November behind a colossal 24 points and 13 rebounds from Serge Ibaka, and will look for another dominant performance from the big man this week.
Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Panathinaikos Aktor Athens
Red-hot Panathinaikos (10-7) is aiming for a fifth straight win as its travels to direct rival Baskonia (9-8), which is currently one of four teams tied for eighth place. Kostas Sloukas has now truly settled in with the Greens, averaging 7.3 assists during his team’s winning run, and he faces an intriguing backcourt duel with Codi Miller-McIntyre, who is looking to rebound from a tough night (4 points and 4 turnovers) in last week’s loss to Milan. That game featured another strong showing from Chima Moneke (14 points, 8 rebounds) and his battle with Mathias Lessort – who piled on 24 points and 13 rebounds when Panathinaikos beat Baskonia in October – will be a highlight to enjoy as two of the league’s most dynamic and hard-working big men square off.
Faltering 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 (16-1). Mario Hezonja will attempt to damage his former team after being named December's league MVP, with Real seeking to complete a 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, who leads Barca with 14.2 points per game, and the league's top ranked assister Facu Campazzo (7.0 per game). In the paint, Barca’s Jan Vesely and Willy Hernangomez will attempt to subdue Walter Tavares and Vincent Poirier, who combined for 33 points and 19 rebounds in last week’s win at ASVEL.