Javier Gancedo gives his recommendations for the last day of the playoffs
EuroLeague Fantasy tips, Game 5: Last call for Abu Dhabi!
Fantasy Challenge
3 Dk okuma
There are only six games left in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, with four teams in do-or-die situations to make it to the Final Four.
On Tuesday night, two Game 5s take place as AS Monaco faces FC Barcelona in the principality before Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens hosts Anadolu Efes Istanbul at OAKA. The winners will join Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Olympiacos Piraeus at the Final Four in Abu Dhabi.
This week, I will recommend one player per team and someone to give you an extra boost in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, which continues until a team captain lifts the trophy at Etihad Arena.
Kendrick Nunn, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (18.4 credits)
I am aware that Kendrick Nunn has not played at his best in the playoffs, averaging 16.5 points on 27.3% three-point shooting and a PIR of 13.0. It won't matter in Game 5, and like we say in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, "home Nunn is the best Nunn". He should be ready for a monster, MVP-like performance in Game 5.
Shane Larkin, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (15.1 credits)
Shane Larkin has been fantastic in the series against Panathinaikos, averaging 15.8 points on 44.0% three-pointers, 5.5 assists and a PIR of 20.0 without going to the free-throw line too much (16 attempts in four games). Larkin has posted a PIR of 17 or higher in all four games in the series, and that consistency is crucial right now.
Jabari Parker, FC Barcelona (12.3 credits)
If Barcelona makes it to the Final Four, Jabari Parker will have to do a lot with it. In Game 4, Parker had 22 points and a PIR of 15. He also scored 16 points in both Games 2 and 3. Barcelona has a little bit of an advantage at power forward with Parker and Joel Parra, so it should look to exploit that. Expect Parker to lead his team once again in Game 5
Mike James, AS Monaco (16.8 credits)
On a mission to make it to the Final Four, Mike James has been playing really well lately. James has had 27 assists and just 8 turnovers in his team's series against Barcelona, while also averaging 15.8 points on 42.3% three-point shooting, good for a PIR average of 19.0. Everyone in Monaco knows that James will do whatever it takes to take the Roca Team to Abu Dhabi.
Cedi Osman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (9.2 credits)
It is a very special game for Cedi Osman, who grew up with Efes and is now trying to take his former team out of the Final Four race. Emotions have not had an impact on Osman's performances to this point, averaging 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and a PIR of 13.0, way above his regular-season numbers (7.9 ppg., 2.4 rpg., 6.8 PIR). All for less than 10.0 credits!