EuroLeague Matchday 35: Belgrade Derby Highlights Crucial Week with Barça-Zalgiris and Baskonia-Real Madrid

The EuroLeague Matchday 35 arrives with multiple decisive games in the fight for playoffs and the play-in, headlined by the always-intense Belgrade Derby between Crvena Zvezda and Partizan. The week also features high-stakes matchups such as Zalgiris vs. Barcelona, Baskonia vs. Real Madrid, and the clash between Bayern and Fenerbahce, plus the rescheduled Matchday 33 game between Virtus Bologna and Paris Basketball that opens the action.

Matchday 33: Tuesday, March 31

Virtus Bologna vs. Paris Basketball (20:45 CEST)

The week begins with a rescheduled Matchday 33 game in which Virtus (13-20) hosts Paris (12-21). Both clubs have undergone changes, as the Italian team—which has lost four consecutive games—will be led for the first time by new head coach Nenad Jakovljevic, replacing the fired Dusko Ivanovic. Paris also has a new coach, with Julius Thomas taking over from Francesco Tabellini, hoping to break a streak of two consecutive losses. The matchup between the two teams in October was headlined by a dominant performance from Nadir Hifi, who combined 20 points and 6 assists to inspire a 90-79 victory. Limiting Hifi's influence will be key for Jakovljevic, who would also like to see Carsen Edwards regain form after scoring just 3 points in each of the last two games.

Matchday 35: Wednesday, April 1

FC Bayern Munich vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (19:00 CEST)

Fenerbahce (23-11) has the opportunity to secure a playoff spot with a demanding visit to Bayern (14-20) on Wednesday. The German team ended a three-game losing streak last week by beating ASVEL, with shooting guard Justinian Jessup continuing his hot streak with 19 points, and his three-point shooting—along with Andi Obst's—will be a focus for Fenerbahce's defense, which has dipped from its usual standards after losing four of its last five games. Visiting star Talen Horton-Tucker will attempt to match his interior efficiency with better perimeter accuracy after going 0 for 8 from three in the last two games, and the Turkish team overall needs to improve offensive flow after finishing with just 14 assists in Friday's home loss to Zalgiris.

Thursday, April 2

Zalgiris Kaunas vs. FC Barcelona (19:00 CEST)

A major matchup between two playoff contenders will see Zalgiris (20-14) defend home court against Barcelona (20-14). Both teams are tied for sixth place, with Zalgiris controlling the head-to-head after winning convincingly 88-73 as a visitor in October. That victory featured standout contributions from players who have been quieter in recent weeks, Maodo Lo and Deividas Sirvydis, and a sharp Zalgiris will need another collective effort against a Barcelona team gaining confidence after three consecutive wins. Head coach Xavi Pascual relied on his veteran core to secure a valuable overtime victory against Zvezda on Friday, led by Will Clyburn (18 points) and Tomas Satoransky (12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists), and their experience will again be crucial in this must-win matchup.

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (19:00 CEST)

In Sofia, Hapoel (20-13) will attempt to continue advancing toward the top four at the expense of another team chasing that goal, Panathinaikos (20-14). The Greens have finally found consistency with four consecutive wins, and scored 107 points in both victories last week, while superstar Kendrick Nunn continued his strong season with 21 and 25 points. Hapoel, by contrast, lost twice last week and urgently needs to improve defensively after allowing 118 points at Baskonia in Matchday 34. On offense, Elijah Bryant (15.8 points per game) is the team's primary inspiration, but needs to improve after committing 7 turnovers in Vitoria. The head-to-head is also at stake, with Panathinaikos currently ahead after winning 93-82 when both teams met in Athens.

Dubai Basketball vs. AS Monaco (20:00 CEST)

Top-ten contender Dubai (17-17) has the opportunity to close the gap on one of the teams it is chasing, Monaco (19-15), in Sarajevo. The return of Nikola Mirotic from injury has bolstered a depleted Monaco roster, and a good battle with Filip Petrusev is expected. Visiting head coach Manuchar Markoishvili suffered his first loss last week against Panathinaikos and hopes to respond with improved defense after allowing 107 points in that game. Dubai, whose postseason aspirations were hurt by two losses last week, will look for leadership from McKinley Wright, who is averaging 7.7 assists over the last three games. It is truly a win-or-lose game for both teams, giving Monaco the opportunity to secure finishing ahead of the hosts after winning 103-81 when they met in October.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (20:00 CEST)

The always-intense Belgrade Derby will have extra tension as Partizan (14-20) attempts to derail Zvezda's (19-15) playoff aspirations. The hosts need to respond immediately after the overtime loss in Barcelona last week, but it won't be easy against a Partizan team that has won five consecutive games. Two elite point guards will attempt to control the game's pace, with Codi Miller-McIntyre (12.1 points and 7.4 assists per game, league leader) facing off against the hot Carlik Jones (15.1 points, 4.9 assists). We will also see a duel between two scorers in great form, as Jordan Nwora, who scored 20 and 26 points in the two games last week, will attempt to outdo last week's Matchday MVP Sterling Brown, whose 31 points were key in his team's dramatic victory over Valencia.

Paris Basketball vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (20:45 CEST)

Paris (12-21) will play its second game of the week hosting Milan (17-17), which still aspires to the play-in. The Italian team kept its season alive with an important victory over Virtus in the Italian derby last week and will look for the same perimeter control from Nico Mannion and Quinn Ellis, who distributed 6 assists each in that victory. The French team will have to match the energy of the visitors after their game against Virtus on Tuesday and will need solid perimeter defense to stop the threat of Zach LeDay, who made 5 three-pointers in last week's victory. Paris's outside threat includes Lamar Stevens, who has converted 42.5% of his three-pointers this season.

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (21:00 CEST)

A hot Maccabi (17-16) will attempt to maintain its momentum toward the top ten when it hosts inconsistent Efes (10-24) in Belgrade. Maccabi added its third consecutive victory—and seventh in the last eight games—by beating Dubai in an exciting overtime game in its last outing, and dynamic wing O'Shae Brissett will attempt to maintain his good form after adding 19 points and 9 rebounds. The home cause would also be boosted by a return to Lonnie Walker's usual level, who is averaging just 3.7 points over the last three games. Efes needs to improve offensively after two losses last week scoring just 71 points in both games, and the ability of center Vincent Poirier, now healthy, to compete against Maccabi's strong rebounding will be crucial.

Friday, April 3

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:00 CEST)

Olympiacos (22-12) can take another step toward securing home-court advantage in the playoffs if it beats last-place ASVEL (8-24). The Greek giant suffered a close loss at Valencia in its last game and hopes Nikola Milutinov returns to his usual level after going scoreless from the field and grabbing just 3 rebounds in that game. ASVEL is on a four-game losing streak and hasn't won at home since December, but features veteran point guard Thomas Heurtel in good form after averaging 8.4 assists over the last five games. Despite their efforts, the French team has the league's least productive offense (79.2 points per game), while Olympiacos leads that category with 90.4 points per game. However, ASVEL won when both teams last met in France, 81-70 in March, so nothing can be taken for granted.

Virtus Bologna vs. Valencia Basket (20:30 CEST)

A struggling Valencia (21-13) will look to reignite its fight for the top four by beating Virtus (13-20). The Spanish team's strong season has recently stalled with three losses in the last four games, especially away from home, with five losses in its last seven road games. Virtus will play its second home game of the week after hosting Paris on Tuesday and needs to recover its defensive identity after allowing 103 and 109 points in its last two games under fired head coach Dusko Ivanovic. New head coach Nenad Jakovljevic will attempt to limit the three-point shooting of Kam Taylor, who has made at least one three-pointer in ten consecutive games, while the energy of young prospect Saliou Niang will be important to slow Valencia's fast-paced style.

Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Real Madrid (20:30 CEST)

A Spanish derby offers revitalized Baskonia (10-24) the opportunity to complicate Real Madrid's (22-12) top-four aspirations. Baskonia ended a long losing streak with an offensive explosion, scoring 118 points against Hapoel on Friday, and point guard Trent Forrest will attempt to extend his magnificent form after posting 31 and 22 points in the previous double-header. Real won both of its home games last week but has struggled away with just one victory in its last five road games. The visitors—seeking revenge after losing the Spanish Cup final in February to Baskonia—will rely on Trey Lyles (13.2 points per game on 43.3% from three) to punish the home defense, which ranks last in the league allowing 93.5 points per game.