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FC Bayern Munich came back from a 10-point deficit to fend off FC Barcelona 90-77 at home for its third straight win at the Audi Dome.

Bayern bests Barcelona with shutdown defense

FC Bayern Munich came back from a 10-point deficit to fend off FC Barcelona 90-77 at home for its third straight win at the Audi Dome. Bayern allowed just 10 points in the third quarter in winning for the fourth time in the last six games to improve to 11-6. Wade Baldwin IV led the way with a career-high 29 points and 7 assists set a club record with a performance index rating of 41. Paul Zipser drained 4 three-pointers in scoring 16 points while Nick Weiler-Babb had 14 points and 4 steals and Jalen Reynolds celebrated his 28th birthday with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks for the German side. Barcelona lost its third straight game and the fifth in its last eight to fall to 11-6. Alex Abrines paced the visitors with 16 points, while Rolands Smits scored 14, Cory Higgins added 12, Adam Hanga and Artem Pustovyi netted 10 each and Nick Calathes chipped in 9 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Barcelona missed star forward Nikola Mirotic, who was a late scratch.



James Gist opened the game for the hosts with a jumper, but Barcelona jumped on Bayern with Abrines and Smits both hitting three-pointers and Pustovyi scoring two baskets in a 3-12 run to go up 5-12. Nihad Dedovic made a three-pointer for Bayern, but Smits and Abrines were both on target from deep again as the advantage grew to 16-26. The home side got some defensive stops in the final minute of the quarter and closed the frame with 6 straight points to get within 22-26. Pustovyi got Barcelona going to start the second quarter and Leandro Bolmaro’s free throws got the margin to 24-32. Bayern once again used its defense to create turnovers and Reynolds got two scores in an 8-0 run to even the game at 32-32. Calathes joined the three-point party to send Barcelona ahead 34-39. Baldwin added 7 more points to move his first-half tally to 18 points and the hosts went into the locker room down 43-45.

Catch up on FC Bayern Munich vs FC Barcelona highlights from Round 17 of the 2020/21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, 30th December 2020

FC Bayern Munich vs FC Barcelona Highlights - Round 17 - 30th December, 2020

Zipser’s three-pointer started the second half and put Bayern back ahead. He added free throws and another triple for a 49-45 lead. Calathes twice fed Pustovyi for dunks only to see Weiler-Babb and Zipser sandwich triples around a Baldwin and-one to extend the gap to 60-49. Weiler-Babb added 4 more points as the margin grew to 64-50. Abrines gave some temporary relief with a three-pointer, but Bayern downed 6 free throws and led 70-55 after 30 minutes. Bayern scored the first 4 points of the final frame to increase the lead to 19 points, 74-55. The hosts were held scoreless for nearly 3 minutes, however, Barcelona could only manage two Hanga scores to get within 74-59 before Weiler-Babb and Zipser went back-to-back from deep for an 80-62 cushion. Abrines tried to get Barcelona close again, but Baldwin converted back-to-back three-point plays to make it 88-69 with less than 4 minutes to play. The game was decided as Barcelona did not get closer than 11 points down the stretch.

### Personal and club records for Baldwin

Wade Baldwin IV set personal and club records in the outstanding night as he collected 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting and 5-of-5 free throws, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 10 fouls for a PIR of 41. His previous best marks were 19 points against Khimki Moscow Region earlier this month and a 22 PIR against ALBA Berlin in October. Baldwin’s index rating set a Bayern club record, topping Dusko Savanovic’s 37 against PGE Turow Zgorzelec on December 11, 2014.

### Shut down second half

Barcelona made 11 of 15 two-pointers in the first half, but Bayer did a better job in the final 20 minutes as the Spanish side converted 11 of 20 from close range the rest of the way

### Telling numbers

Bayern made 23 of 23 free throws and outrebounded Barcelona 33-27, while hitting 9 of 17 three-pointers (52.9%).

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FC Bayern Munich came back from a 10-point deficit to fend off FC Barcelona 90-77 at home for its third straight win at the Audi Dome.


FC Bayern Munich v FC Barcelona (2020-12-30T18:30:00.000Z)

Khimki Moscow Region finally gained its first win of the season by outlasting Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade 83-77 in a hard-fought game in the Russian capital.

Shved, McCollum spark first Khimki win

Khimki Moscow Region finally gained its first win of the season by outlasting Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade 83-77 in a hard-fought game in the Russian capital. It was fiercely contested during the first three quarters, with neither team leading by more than the 8-1 advantage claimed by Khimki in the opening minutes. The lead swapped hands regularly and it was anyone’s game until new Khimki signing Errick McCollum inspired a charge midway through the fourth, and Zvezda could not respond. Alexey Shved led Khimki with a double-double of 15 points and 12 assists, but he was outshone by McCollum who gave Khimki a huge lift in the second half with 22 of his 23 points coming after the break. Jordan Mickey also posted a double-double for Khimki with 11 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 5 blocked shots. Jordan Loyd top scored for Zvezda with 18 points, while debutant Johnny O’Bryant added 14 and Corey Walden netted 11.



Khimki netted the first three field goals for an 8-1 edge, before Loyd scored from deep and in penetration to get Zvezda moving. Jonas Jerebko netted his second triple but Zvezda bettered that with consecutive deep strikes from Walden and Branko Lazic for its first lead, 13-14. Taylor Rochestie and Emanuel Terry completed a 0-10 run, which was ended by a deep strike from Janis Timma. Defenses dominated the remainder of the first quarter, which finished 19-22 after free throws. Vyacheslav Zaytsev tied it up from deep, but O’Bryant scored in the low post for Zvezda’s first field goal in four minutes. Ognjen Kuzmic added another close-range score before defenses took over, with no field goals for nearly three minutes. Greg Monroe and Loyd traded baskets, before 4 straight points and a big block from Mickey tied the game at 30-30. Shved’s three-pointer sent Khimki in front, but threeballs from Rochestie and O’Bryant helped Zvezda regain the ascendancy. Shved then took over, netting 4 fast points to help make it 44-40 at the break.

Catch up on Khimki Moscow Region vs Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade highlights from Round 2 of the 2020/21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, 8th October 2020

Khimki Moscow Region vs Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade Highlights - Round 6 - 30th October, 2020

After the second half started with a flurry of free throws, Kuzmic’s open dunk and Lazic’s fastbreak layup sent Zvezda in front and Emanuel Terry’s fierce alley-oop protected that lead. McCollum scored 4 straight points to send Khimki ahead, 54-53, and he then penetrated to beat the third quarter buzzer for a 58-57 lead. O’Bryant and McCollum traded long-range blows as the start of the fourth, and another pair of scores from McCollum made it 66-60. Kuzmic tipped in to make it closer, but Jerebko and Timma kept Khimki ahead. McCollum another pair of triples for a 77-66 edge inside the last 3 minutes. The teams traded triples in the final minutes, including a couple from Walden, but Zvezda never got closer than 6.

### Shved assists first, scores later

Khimki sharpshooter Alexey Shved orchestrated his offense to perfection in the early stages, registering 5 assists with 0 turnovers in the opening 5 minutes. He didn’t score his first field goal until the last three minutes of the first half, but then took off and nearly reached a double-double before half-time, pairing 11 points with 9 assists in the first half.

### Defenses dominant after the break

The third quarter was fiercely contested with defenses dominating and nothing being given easily. Khimki particularly struggled initially, only scoring 8 free throws with no field goals in the opening 7:30 of the second half. Zvezda then had similar problems at the start of the fourth, scoring only 3 points in the first 4 minutes as Khimki established a platform to go on and win the game.

### O’Bryant impresses on debut for Zvezda

Errick McCollum was the star man in Khimki’s win, but he wasn’t the only debutant to catch the eye: Johnny O’Bryant also impressed on his first EuroLeague game for Zvezda after signing until the end of the season a few days ago. The former Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv forward provided 14 points and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes on the floor.

Shved-KVZ.jpg


Khimki Moscow Region finally gained its first win of the season by outlasting Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade 83-77 in a hard-fought game in the Russian capital.

Khimki Moscow Region v Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (2020-10-30T17:00:00.000Z)

Here are some interesting facts about the duel.


Game Facts: LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul

### LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne
**Roster**
Antoine Diot did not play in Round 2.
James Gist made his ASVEL debut in Round 2.

**Streaks**
Chris Jones has recorded double-digit PIRs in six of his last seven games.

**Rankings**
Antoine Diot ranked second last season in three-point accuracy at 52.5%, and William Howard was tied for third with 51.5%.

**Records/Milestones**
James Gist is ranked 11th all-time with 1,145 rebounds. Bryant Dunston is 10th with 1,150 and counting.
Gist ranks 11th all-time with 420 offensive rebounds. Kerem Gonlum is 10th with 421.
Gist is ranked 13th all-time with 152 career blocked shots. Ante Tomic is 12th with 155.
Antoine Diot needs 14 three-point shots to reach 100 for his career.Roster
Antoine Diot did not play in Round 2.
James Gist made his ASVEL debut in Round 2.

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Game Notes: LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul

· Efes is 6-0 against ASVEL in games this century. Last season Efes recorded an 80-102 win over ASVEL at Astroballe in January.

· Last season in Istanbul, Efes edged ASVEL 72-68 as Vasilije Micic scored 22 and Shane Larkin had 18 points.

· Efes has a 9-0 record on French soil in EuroLeague games this century. That streak includes a pair of 6-point wins against ASVEL: a 67-73 decision in January 2004 and an 84-90 victory in November 2019.

· ASVEL beat Efes in Istanbul to take their quarterfinal series en route to the team's first and only EuroLeague Final Four in 1997.

· Efes beat ASVEL by 2 points in their third and final quarterfinal game on the way to making the first Final Four appearance by any Turkish club in 2000 with Coach Ergin Ataman on the bench.

· Shane Larkin made history in January 2020 as the first player with three consecutive MVP of the Round honors. Larkin shined with 29 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds for a performance index rating of 45 in a 101-74 home win over ASVEL.

· Larkin set a single-game club record with 14 free throws made in an 84-90 road win over ASVEL in November 2019.

· Other Larkin personal-highs against ASVEL include 7 two-point shots made in December 2020 and 6 defensive rebounds in January 2020.

· ASVEL tied its club record with 7 blocks in a 72-68 loss against Efes in December of last year. In that game, Kevarrius Hayes set a new ASVEL club record with 6 blocks.

· ASVEL's Paul Lacombe and Efes sharpshooter Rodrigue Beaubois were teammates at Strasbourg during the 2015-16 season.

· ASVEL's Antoine Diot and Efes center Tibor Pleiss were teammates at Valencia Basket during the 2017-18 season.

· The last time these two teams played, James Anderson posted a career-high 11 rebounds against ASVEL.

· Reigning EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic recorded a career-high 5 steals against ASVEL last season.

· The most minutes James Gist played in his 270 EuroLeague appearances was 40:23 when he was wearing a Panathinaikos Athens uniform against Efes in November 2016. In that game, Gist had a career-high 11 rebounds.

· Diot tied his career-high with 7 assists in last year's loss against Efes in Istanbul.

· Efes guard Bugrahan Tuncer posted his career-high with 6 assists in Efes's 101-74 win in January 2020.

While the stars of this game are mostly guards, the play in the paint could prove decisive.

Keys to victory: LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul

ASVEL has outrebounded its opponents by 3 per game, has averaged 4.0 blocks and made 63.4% of its two-pointers, while limiting opponents to 47.3% two-point shooting. In contrast, Efes has been outrebounded by a whopping 15.5 rebounds per game and has allowed 58.7% two-point shooting. If ASVEL's frontcourt players Youssoupha Fall, Dylan Osetkowski, Kostas Antetokounmpo and James Gist can control the paint, ASVEL will be in great shape.

Though Efes's offense has not been as strong as it was a season ago, its defense has been a bigger problem thus far with Coach Ataman's charges giving up 91 points per game. A stronger effort on the defensive end is pivotal for the defending champs to turn things around in France.

Elie Okobo has lived up to the promise in his first EuroLeague season by averaging 18.0 points and 4.5 rebounds through his first two games. The challenge will be as tough as they come on Tuesday when he matches up against Vasilije Micic.

Marquee matchup: Elie Okobo vs. Vasilije Micic

 The 2020-21 EuroLeague MVP, Micic is already in ace form after going off for 32 points last week – the third-most in his career. Okobo has been highly efficient; he's made 78.6% of his two-pointers and 80% of his threes, but has also averaged 4 turnovers per game. Micic has made 45.5% of his twos and 52.9% of his threes. Their matchup at guard could have a big impact on the outcome of this contest.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2-0) will put its perfect record on the line when it hosts defending champion Anadolu Efes Istanbul, which has slumped to a 0-2 start. 

The Take: LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul

ASVEL defeated ALBA Berlin by 4 on the road on Friday with the backcourt duo of Chris Jones and Elie Okobo combining for 37 points. ASVEL seeks its first victory over Efes in their seventh EuroLeague meeting.

Efes was outscored by CSKA 96-100 at home in Round 2 despite 32 points from EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic. The game will be a homecoming of sorts for the two Frenchman on the Efes roster, Rodrigue Beaubois and Adrien Moerman, though neither has ever played for ASVEL before. Efes looks to avoid a 0-3 start for the first time since 2017 when it lost its first five games of the season.



The newest production in the Insider Documentary Series created by Euroleague Basketball tracks the personal and professional journeys of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars Toko Shengelia and Mike James. As the title attests, the two have "Crossed Paths" on multiple occasions. The film follows CSKA Moscow's 2020-21 EuroLeague season, with Shengelia and James among the team’s stars.

Euroleague Basketball documentary: "Crossed Paths"

Shengelia takes viewers back to his roots in Georgia and shares the path that ultimately took him to Moscow. Along the way family members, childhood friends and current and former teammates and coaches are interviewed to reveal more about Shengelia and his background.

“For me, religion, my country and my family are the three important things in my life,” Shengelia attested. “Believing in God is a way of life for me. I have felt his blessings ever since I was a little kid and ever since then I have felt that God is in my life every day.”

James too sheds light on his childhood in Portland, USA, and his on- and off-court personalities.

“I think I’m a totally different person off the court thank I am on the court. I think off the court I mostly just joke around all day, singing, laughing making fun of people. That’s basically who I am 93 percent of the day," James described himself. “I think in the games a little bit more calm. Sometimes I’m a little bit too emotional."

CSKA signed James in the summer of 2019. The following year, Shengelia joined the team, thus reuniting the pair four years after they had helped Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz reach the 2016 Final Four.

"That was defiantly a special team and it was special to be a part of it. I still keep in touch with a lot of those guys, which still shows how close we are,” James said of that squad.

"I am a big believer in chemistry. We had a group of people that was great people, hard workers, fighters and hungry people. So I believe that this is the ingredient for success," added Shengelia.

Both Shengelia and James are former All-EuroLeague selections and are considered to be among the most talented players in the competition, in no small part due to their work ethics.

"The work ethic is the reason I am where I am right now. This is something I would say is my talent,” Shengelia said. “If you are not working hard, if you are not working more than other people, you are just going to be the same level as anybody else. So if you want to be better than someone, I believe that you have to work harder than anybody in the room."

All the signs pointed towards CSKA model 2020-21 having all the ingredients to go far, just like the last time Shengelia and James had crossed paths. Indeed, despite the struggles of a difficult season, they had CSKA aiming high, but the ending was not at all as the two had expected.

"Crossed Paths" is the latest film in the Insider Documentary Series, which captures the intimacy behind the EuroLeague spotlights and provides full access to the protagonists and the people who know them best.