The games are evenly split with 5 each on Thursday and Friday
Round 15 at a glance: Rivalries take center stage
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Round 15 of the EuroLeague Regular Season is co-headlined by one of the world’s most intense sporting rivalries and a rematch of last season’s title decider. Here’s everything we can look forward to on Thursday and Friday.
Thursday, December 11
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:05 CET)
A basement battle at the bottom of the standings will see Maccabi (4-10) look to build more momentum with a visit from ASVEL (3-11). It will be Maccabi’s first EuroLeague game in Tel Aviv for more than two years, so an electric atmosphere is guaranteed in the Menora Mivtachim Arena as the hosts look to repeat last week’s shock win at Zalgiris, which saw a welcome return from injury with 16 points and 9 rebounds from key man Jaylen Hoard. ASVEL’s morale may be low after a fourth-quarter collapse led to defeat at Hapoel last time out, and the French team needs others to share the scoring load with Nando De Colo (22 and 20 points in the last two games).
Valencia Basket vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:30 CET)
Valencia (9-5) will look to maintain at least a share of second place with a visit from Efes (5-9). Fast-paced Valencia, which boasts a 6-1 record at the new Roig Arena, will be high in confidence after last week’s outstanding victory at Panathinaikos, powered by the backcourt versatility of former Efes playmaker Darius Thompson. The Turkish team will be relieved to ease its backcourt injury problems with the return of Rodrigue Beaubois, who paired 11 points with 5 assists in last week’s defeat to Real Madrid. Efes will also hope for another strong performance from power forward Rolands Smits, who equalled his career high with 21 points in that game and will now look forward to a big battle with fellow three-point threat Matt Costello.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CET)
Two teams aiming to bounce back meet in the Italian fashion capital as inconsistent Milan (7-7) hosts Panathinaikos (9-5). The Greens will be keen to establish an early presence in the paint after both big men Kenneth Faried and Omer Yurtseven struggled in last week’s loss to Valencia, and they will be tested by Devin Booker after he netted 13 points in defeat at Baskonia on Friday. Both teams possess a wealth of long-range shooting talent, with Milan ranked fourth in the league with 37.6% shooting from deep. In particular, watch out for the shooting duel between Armoni Brooks (17 triples in the last five games) and visiting superstar Kendrick Nunn, who has scored at least 20 points in five of the last seven.
Paris Basketball vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:45 CET)
Two teams desperate for a return to winning ways meet in the French capital as Paris (5-9) welcomes Zalgiris (8-6). The Lithuanian team has lost three straight on the road and needs to bounce back from its heaviest loss of the season at home to Maccabi last week, with a particular need for better long-range shooting after going 5-of-29 from deep in that defeat. Paris needs defensive improvement after allowing 104.3 points during its three-game losing run, but will hope for more offensive fireworks from Justin Robinson after netting at least 22 points in four of the last six games. Zalgiris will look to limit Paris’s preferred fast tempo through the backcourt control of Nigel Williams-Goss, who returned from injury last week.
Real Madrid vs. Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (21:00 CET)
A clash between Spanish League foes will see increasingly confident Real (8-6) target a fourth consecutive victory with a visit from a Baskonia team (5-9) seeking its first road win. Sergio Scariolo’s men are starting to demonstrate a winning mentality after grinding out three straight narrow victories, helped by a welcome return to form by Mario Hezonja (19 and 22 points in the last two games). Baskonia grabbed another home win on Friday, comfortably downing Milan with the help of 18 points and 4 assists from former Real youngster Matteo Spagnolo, and now needs to deliver the same level of performance on the road. Defense will be key for the visitors, who have allowed at least 82 points in each of their six away defeats so far.
Friday, December 12
Dubai Basketball vs. FC Bayern Munich (17:00 CET)
Bayern (5-9) will aim to snap a worrying five-game losing run as it continues its mammoth road trip with a visit to Dubai (6-8). The German team will need to improve its defense after allowing more than 90 points in the last three games, while hoping that Spencer Dinwiddie can continue to spark the offense after scoring in double digits in five straight games. Dubai was edged out on the road by Virtus last week, but has won three straight at home, scoring at least 90 points in each of those wins. The hosts will hope Justin Anderson keeps on firing after netting 16 points last week, while Filip Petrusev looks to extend his 14-game sequence of double-digit scoring as he takes on Bayern powerhouse Johannes Voigtmann, who set a career high with 18 rebounds last week.
AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (19:30 CET)
A repeat of last season’s Championship Game will see Monaco (9-5) attempt to continue its remarkable form by downing Fenerbahce (8-5). The Roca Team has set club scoring records in three consecutive games, most recently blazing 125 points against Paris behind 26 points and 8 assists from Elie Okobo, who earned the weekly MVP award. The postponement of last week’s scheduled game at Olympiacos means that reigning champ Fenerbahce will be physically fresh to give maximum defensive intensity, and limiting the long-range looks of Matthew Strazel (6-of-8 triples in Round 14) will be a key focus. The Turkish team will also look for the likes of Nicolo Melli (averaging 7 rebounds in the last five games) to control the paint, while Wade Baldwin (14.3 points, 5.5 assists per game) will take responsibility for leading the offense.
Virtus Bologna vs. Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (20:30 CET)
Co-leader Hapoel (10-4) will aim to keep on rolling with the tough assignment of overcoming home warriors Virtus (7-7). The Italian team went 6-0 at home by narrowly overcoming Dubai last week, and playmaker Luca Vildoza will look to ride his feel-good factor after hitting a crucial late pair of triples in that triumph. The inside power of Dan Oturu, who recorded 18 points and 7 rebounds in last week’s hard-fought win over ASVEL, will be a key for the visiting team, which can also rely on an increasingly confident backcourt contribution from Antonio Blakeney (14.6 points per game). Up against him, Virtus will rely heavily on the scoring contribution of Carsen Edwards, who has surpassed 20 points in five straight home games.
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)
Local pride – and much more – will be up for grabs as Partizan (5-9) welcomes Zvezda (9-5) for the Belgrade derby. The hosts grabbed a much-needed victory by downing Bayern last week, sparked by 21 points and 10 rebounds from Tyrique Jones. He faces a fierce battle in the paint with visiting star Chima Moneke, who again showed his rebounding ability by grabbing 6 offensive boards in last week’s home loss to Barcelona. Accuracy from beyond the arc will be crucial: Partizan guard Duane Washington has drained at least 3 triples in seven of the last nine games, while Zvezda’s long-range threat needs to reemerge after making just 4 three-pointers on 24 attempts against Barcelona. Jared Butler is among those looking for a return to form for the visitor, after averaging just 5.4 points in the last three games.
FC Barcelona vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:30 CET)
The round concludes with a true heavyweight battle as in-form Barcelona (9-5) receives a visit from Olympiacos (8-5). The Reds will be eager for a return to action after the suspension of last week’s scheduled meeting with Fenerbahce, while Barca demonstrated its growing confidence under Coach Xavi Pascual by powering to victory at Zvezda. Will Clyburn was instrumental to that success with 22 points, and his duel with Sasha Vezenkov (17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per night) is a must-watch matchup. The hosts boast the league’s third-best long-range shooting game, converting 38.9% from beyond the arc, and Dario Brizuela will look to stay hot after making 5-of-9 three-pointers in the last two games. At the other end, Evan Fournier is starting to find his best form with 10 triples in the last three games.