EuroLeague Playoff Race Heats Up: Key Matchups and Storylines

With only five games left in the regular season, the race for the EuroLeague playoffs is reaching a boiling point. Thursday and Friday feature high-stakes matchups, with teams battling for playoff positioning and postseason survival. Let’s dive into the upcoming clashes and the key players to watch.

Thursday, March 13: Playoff Contenders in Action

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (18:45 CET)

Fenerbahce (19-9) is looking to solidify its hold on second place as it hosts ASVEL (11-17), a team desperately needing a win after five consecutive losses. The Turkish squad enters with confidence after securing two road victories last week, led by the emerging backcourt duo of Errick McCollum and Wade Baldwin, who combined for 33 points in a dominant Round 28 win over Milan.

For ASVEL, veteran Nando De Colo returns to Istanbul, where he will receive a warm welcome from his former fans. The experienced guard has been in strong form, posting 16 and 20 points in his last two outings. His scoring ability will be crucial, especially if Theo Maledon is sidelined due to a finger injury.

🤝 @LDLCASVEL #EuroLeague pic.twitter.com/iY4PRWkpzZ

— Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) March 13, 2025

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (19:00 CET)

A pivotal playoff battle unfolds in Belgrade as Crvena Zvezda (16-12) hosts Milan (15-13). Both teams suffered defensive collapses in their previous games, conceding 100 points each.

Milan faces additional challenges with injuries to key players Nikola Mirotic and Freddie Gillespie. This puts more responsibility on Shavon Shields, who has averaged 17.7 points over his last three games. Meanwhile, Zvezda aims to bounce back behind rebounding specialist Joel Bolomboy, who grabbed 19 boards in last week’s loss to Bayern. The Serbian team also seeks revenge after a 101-86 defeat in Milan earlier this season.

Кошаркаше Црвене звезде Меридианбет вечерас очекује један од најважнијих мечева у досадашњем току сезоне.

Противник је екипа Армани Олимпије из Милана, а дуел 29. кола Евролиге игра се у Београдској Арени са почетком од 19 часова.

Звездаши, видимо се! 🔴⚪️#kkcz #WeAreTheTeam… pic.twitter.com/8HiCqKmHKk

— KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) March 13, 2025

Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Paris Basketball (19:00 CET)

Zalgiris (13-15) looks to regain momentum as it welcomes Paris (16-12). The Lithuanian squad boasts the league’s top-ranked defense, which will be tested by Paris star TJ Shorts. The explosive guard led his team to an 83-77 win over Zalgiris in Round 9, contributing 21 points and six assists.

Zalgiris must improve its three-point shooting, having hit just three triples in last week’s narrow loss at Baskonia. Meanwhile, Paris is reeling from two home losses and will count on Kevarrius Hayes to dominate inside as he faces his former club.

Arena packed once again! 🔥

Another electric night at @ZalgirioArena as Zalgiris takes the court in front of a full house! pic.twitter.com/qpaOy2uiwD

— BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) March 13, 2025

ALBA Berlin vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (20:00 CET)

ALBA Berlin (4-24) is desperate to break a four-month winless streak at home against Baskonia (12-16), a team still in the playoff hunt. Both squads are in dire need of a win—ALBA has lost nine straight home games, while Baskonia has dropped five consecutive road contests.

Baskonia’s Markus Howard has rediscovered his shooting touch, knocking down 10 three-pointers in his last three games. Facing ALBA’s league-worst perimeter defense (allowing 38.6% from beyond the arc), Howard could be in for another big night. On the other end, ALBA will look for increased contributions from new signing Robert Baker, who had four points and four rebounds in last week’s loss to Barcelona.

✨ GAMEDAY ✨

Unser nächstes @EuroLeague-Heimduell in der Uber Arena steht an:

📆 Heute, Donnerstag 13. März
⏰ 20 Uhr
🆚 @Baskonia
🎫 https://t.co/Pntt7IURpd pic.twitter.com/dzmO5s0OqM

— ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) March 13, 2025

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. AS Monaco (20:05 CET)

Maccabi (8-20) is riding a wave of offensive momentum, scoring 94 and 102 points in back-to-back wins. The host team hopes to extend its streak against Monaco (17-11), which is determined to maintain its top-four position.

Newcomer Jimmy Clark has been a key factor in Maccabi’s resurgence, averaging 11 points and 8.5 assists over the last two victories. Levi Randolph is another crucial contributor, having dropped 19 points in last week’s win over ASVEL.

Monaco, however, boasts one of the league’s best road records (8 wins) and will lean on big man Daniel Theis, who is coming off a 21-point performance against Paris. The battle in the paint will be critical in determining the outcome.

Respect with his former team🤝#RocaTeam #EveryGameMatters pic.twitter.com/nbhAkDMWIo

— AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) March 13, 2025

Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Real Madrid (20:45 CET)

Struggling Real Madrid (14-14) looks to climb back into the top ten as it faces Virtus Bologna (7-21), a team in freefall with six consecutive losses.

Real’s Facundo Campazzo needs to bounce back after scoring just four points in last week’s loss to Panathinaikos. Mario Hezonja has been a consistent force, scoring 15+ points in seven straight games.

Virtus, meanwhile, has struggled defensively, allowing 87.7 points per game during its losing streak. However, veteran forward Toko Shengelia remains a bright spot, averaging 26.3 PIR in his last three outings.

𝗘𝗟 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬 ⏳

🆚 @RMBaloncesto
📺 Sky Sport e DAZN
📻 Nettuno Bologna Uno pic.twitter.com/poelH15ZYf

— Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) March 13, 2025

Friday, March 14: Rivalries and Playoff Implications

Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:15 CET)

One of the EuroLeague’s biggest rivalries takes center stage as league-leading Olympiacos (21-7) hosts defending champions Panathinaikos (18-10) in the electric Greek Derby.

MVP candidates Sasha Vezenkov (Olympiacos) and Kendrick Nunn (Panathinaikos) are expected to play pivotal roles. The battle in the paint will be intense, with Olympiacos center Nikola Milutinov looking to exploit an injury-riddled Panathinaikos frontline.

On the perimeter, Juancho Hernangomez and Evan Fournier could engage in a three-point shootout. Fournier starred in Panathinaikos’ Round 8 victory over Olympiacos, scoring 22 points in a road win.

FC Bayern Munich vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:30 CET)

A high-scoring affair is expected as Bayern (17-11) hosts Efes (14-14) in a crucial playoff showdown. Bayern remains in contention for a top-four spot and will be led by Carsen Edwards, who has been on fire with 29 and 30 points in his last two games.

Efes demonstrated its offensive firepower last week, erupting for 50 second-half points in a win over Virtus. Vincent Poirier dominated inside with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Shane Larkin must step up if Efes hopes to break its road losing streak, which dates back to November.

FC Barcelona vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (20:45 CET)

The round concludes with a crucial battle for playoff positioning as Barcelona (15-13) hosts Partizan (15-13), with both teams tied for eighth place.

Barcelona bounced back last week with a strong fourth quarter against ALBA, fueled by Tomas Satoransky’s career-high 12 assists. His playmaking and defense will be key against Partizan’s Carlik Jones, who scored 17 points in a loss to Olympiacos last week.

Inside, former Barcelona center Brandon Davies will look to capitalize on the absence of Jan Vesely. However, Partizan’s Chimezie Metu has been in red-hot form, scoring in double figures for seven straight games, making him a major factor in this battle with postseason implications.

With the EuroLeague playoffs fast approaching, every game carries immense significance. As teams fight for seeding and survival, expect high-intensity matchups, standout individual performances, and plenty of drama in the final stretch of the regular season.