Here are Javier Gancedo's latest recommendations for the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge.
Fantasy tips, Round 32: Tactics are everything!
It is a special round in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge for two main reasons. First, there are unlimited trades before Round 32. Second, there are three turns of games, as Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv hosts Valencia Basket on a rare Wednesday showdown. All of that has a big impact on my weekly recommendations. Allow me to suggest one superstar per turn so that everyone has a good chance to have a strong captain, as well as two wild cards (one pricey, one cheap) to enhance your team ahead of Round 32:
Josh Nebo, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (14.9 credits)
Maccabi is the only undefeated in March and is in the thick of the playoff race. Nebo has been amazing throughout the month, averaging 14.0 points on 20-of-28 two-point shooting (71.4% 2FG), 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and a PIR of 22.3. Valencia enters this do-or-die game without Brandon Davies and with its other center, Boubacar Toure, not being 100%. Everything points to Nebo having another strong game.
Mathias Lessort, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (18.6 credits)
He is my superstar of choice for Friday night. Lessort has played great all season and has been quite efficient over the last four games, during which he has averaged 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks for a PIR of 22.8. Panathinaikos has won enough games to challenge for the second overall spot in the standings and his connection with Kostas Sloukas should work even against a tough opponent like Virtus.
Shavon Shields, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (15.6 credits)
Shields is playing really well after his injury and it is no secret that Milan has started to climb spots in the standings once he and Nikola Mirotic got healthy. Over the last four games, Shields has averaged 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and a PIR of 21.0. He's made 19 of 22 two-point shots (86.4% 2FG), which is extraordinary. Milan faces a difficult test in Zalgiris and needs Shields to step up again.
Semi Ojeleye, Valencia Basket (12.7 credits)
Valencia is deep in the fight to reach the Play-In Showdown and needs its best available players to show their best version. Ojeleye has definitely taken over, going for 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a PIR of 30 in Round 31 against Monaco, and following that up with another great performance in the Spanish League: 16 points and a PIR of 24. Valencia playing on Wednesday is a plus.
Martin Hermannsson, ALBA Berlin (6.5 credits)
ALBA has been fighting hard to add more wins, and has definitely been better since Hermannsson started his second stint with the club. Over the last three games, Hermannsson averaged 7.6 points and 6.7 assists for a PIR of 12.7. Hermannsson has been his team's main point guard since he arrived. Now that he is fully adjusted to the team, Hermannsson should do even better.