Back to Spain: Bayern's basketball team is heading back to the Iberian Peninsula for the start of the last double-week in the EuroLeague. This time, however, they are traveling further south to the Mediterranean, as the German champions visit FC Barcelona on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Both teams—along with two others, Paris and Red Star—hold 17 wins after 30 game days and are hoping to secure a spot in the postseason. Tip-off is at 8:30 PM (MagentaSport).
After two consecutive losses, head coach Gordon Herbert's team is looking to keep their playoff chances alive despite the formidable challenge posed by the in-form Catalans. Just 48 hours later, Bayern will play its penultimate home game of the regular season in a sold-out SAP Garden against another direct competitor, Partizan Belgrade (15-15). Before that, the Serbian team will face bottom-ranked Berlin on Tuesday.
In Barcelona, Bayern will encounter a host team riding a three-game winning streak, surely aware of the Bavarians' impressive first-leg victory earlier in the season where they triumphed 100-78. Barça has regained form, especially with the return of top star Kevin Punter, who has been sidelined for weeks but is now averaging 14.9 points per game (PPG). Despite the absences of Jan Vesely and Nico Laprovittola, the Spanish giants remain a formidable force in the competition.
Veteran NBA forward Jabari Parker has also made significant contributions with averages of 11.9 PPG and 4.1 rebounds per game (RPG), while players like Justin Anderson (6.7 PPG) and Chimezie Metu (11.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG) are enjoying productive runs as they find their rhythm. Tomas Satoransky is contributing with 7.5 PPG and 4.2 assists per game (APG), while their squad depth is further bolstered by notable Spanish national team players Alex Abrines (6.6 PPG), Dario Brizuela (7.3 PPG), Willy Hernangomez (8.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG), and towering center Youssoupha Fall, who is adding 7.0 PPG and 4.6 RPG.
“Barcelona is clearly in a very strong phase right now,” said Coach Herbert before departure on Tuesday afternoon. “We want to build on the things we did well in Saturday's league game compared to last Thursday. But we still have to improve. Barcelona is another big, physical team that forces the most turnovers in the EuroLeague. So we need to take great care of the ball and avoid giving away easy points. We must be solid in transition defense, slow them down in the half-court, and prevent second chances.”
Even in the Spanish ACB league, Barça is climbing back to its usual position in the standings, despite a recent narrow 97-95 victory against Zaragoza. Metu was instrumental in that game, scoring 16 points, with Parker contributing 14 points, showing their renewed offensive capability.
Meanwhile, across the EuroLeague landscape, the Fantasy Challenge players are looking for value picks due to a wave of injuries impacting several day-to-day players. A notable mention is guard Shorts, who is set to secure significant minutes against Fenerbahce on the same day Bayern faces Barcelona, particularly with teammates unavailable.
Brizuela, who has been averaging a solid 13.2 performance index rating (PIR) and waking up interest as he integrates into the lineup, is one to watch closely. Other options in the league include McKissic, who is expected to see a boost in minutes against ASVEL, and Mitrou-Long could also see extended play this week as injuries take their toll on rosters across the board.
Other players benefitting include Hernangomez, who has averaged 32 minutes per night with solid productivity metrics, and Sorkin of Maccabi Tel Aviv, who has also surged in production more recently. Williams has been capitalizing on absences in his lineup, achieving four consecutive double-doubles in all competitions.
These factors frame a pivotal week in the EuroLeague, with teams positioning for playoff readiness and trying to secure their futures in a postseason often marked by unpredictable turns of events. As the double week unfolds, excitement is mounting over the impending matchups, including Partizan's face-off against ALBA and a crucial encounter pitting Red Star against Virtus Segafredo Bologna.
With some teams striving for consistency demonstrated against prominent competition and others clamoring to revive their fortunes, these matches present opportunities that could define the trajectories ahead. Notably, the atmosphere in the Belgrade Arena promises to be electric as Virtus prepares to clash with Crvena Zvezda on March 26, further igniting the competitive spirit.
As players strategize and coaches innovate, basketball fans are bound to find gripping action and performance at the highest level. Will the Bavarians maintain their momentum in Barcelona, and can they stay firmly in the playoff contention amid the fierce EuroLeague landscape? The coming days will deliver answers as the round progresses.
