Euroleague Basketball Tips
Euro League basketball predictions appear under each mini game preview.
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Fenerbahce – Crvena Zvezda
A game with playoff intensity can be counted on in Istanbul as Fenerbahce looks to break the barrier and climb inside the playoff zone while Zvezda tries to stay pace with the pack and draw closer to eighth place. Fenerbahce snapped a two-game slide last week with a victory at Valencia and now sits in ninth place with the same number of wins as the two teams in front of it in the standings. Zvezda has lost three in a row and is two wins outside of the playoff zone, so it can ill-afford another loss to a direct rival if it is to remain strong in the top-eight chase.
When the Fenerbahce attack is in its groove, the team is at its best. Fenerbahce is 8-2 this season in games where it has scored at least 80 points. Conversely, it’s 4-12 when it is held below 80. One way to control the pace is through rebounding; Fenerbahce is last in the league with 29.2 rebounds per game and Fenerbahce has athletic and big bodies to contend with. If Fenerbahce can get those rebounds and get the ball to Kostas Sloukas and De Colo in transition, reaching 80 points becomes more easily attainable.
Zvezda, which has not won on the road since Round 18, has struggled at times this season due to poor shooting percentages; the Serbian champs are last in the league in two-point shooting (48.9%) and third-bottom in three-point accuracy (34.0%). That can change on any given night and if Zvezda can get its shots to fall at a higher rate this week could change its season.
Tip: 1 (-9,5) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 04/03/2020, 10:15 CET, subject to change)
ALBA Berlin – Barcelona
ALBA has struggled at home lately, losing its last four games at Mercedes-Benz Arena. On the other hand, Barcelona arrives in Berlin on a seven-game winning streak, its longest under the new EuroLeague format. Rokas Giedraitis (13.8 ppg.), Martin Hermannsson (10.9 ppg., 4.8 apg.) and Luke Sikma (9.7 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 4.5 apg.) have led ALBA until now. Freshly crowned EuroLeague MVP for February Nikola Mirotic (18.9 ppg.) has been Barcelona’s top scorer until now, followed by Cory Higgins (12.2 ppg.) and Malcolm Delaney (10.3 ppg.).
ALBA ranks second overall in assists (19.6 apg.) despite playing without its two main point guards, Peyton Siva and Stefan Peno, for the best part of the season. ALBA has been outstanding from beyond the three-point line (39.5% 3FG), but has struggled to score in the paint (50.0% 2FG). ALBA must try to do a better job of defensive rebounding (21.8 drpg., 14th overall) to make the most out of its trademark transition offense, giving everyone chances to score.
Despite being a really talented team on offense, it all starts with defense for Barcelona, which forces opponents to the most turnovers (14.5 per game) in the EuroLeague this season. Barcelona is also doing a great job under its own rim, allowing only 9.4 offensive rebounds per game and pulling down 24.9 defensive boards on average. If Barcelona rebounds well and is able to run in transition, offense comes quickly with such a deep, talented, versatile roster.
Tip: Over 171.5 at 1.83 with bet365
(Price correct at 04/03/2020, 10:15 CET, subject to change)
Maccabi – Anadolu Efes
The sold-out Menorah Mivtachim Arena will be rocking on Wednesday when first-placed Efes comes to town to take on Maccabi. Red-hot Efes has won 11 games in a row and its open 12-game winning streak on the road is the EuroLeague record. Moreover, a win in Tel Aviv – where Efes has won on each of its last three visits – would clinch homecourt advantage in the playoffs for Coach Ataman’s charges. Maccabi, which has won four in a row and dropped only one game at home all season, can clinch its spot in the playoffs if it wins and other results go its way.
Maccabi not only allows the fewest points in the league this season (76.9 ppg.), it has done so by being aggressive. The Israeli champs lead the league in fouls committed (22.7), steals 7.9 spg.) and are second in rebounding (35.7 rpg.). By using its depth and the support of the famed yellow fans in the arena, Maccabi must be physical and aggressive for the full 40 minutes to keep Efes off its high-scoring pace.
Perhaps overlooked in Efes’s fantastic season so far has been that alongside its magnificent shooting numbers, it has played strong defense too. Moreover, it’s historic road record shows that Efes can take its style of play and win anywhere. Its ability to make clutch threes and get defensive stops no matter the situation has it atop the standings. Now it needs to continue its momentum even as the expected return of Bryant Dunston and the possible absence of Shane Larkin create different lineup looks for the players to adjust to.
Tip: 1 at 2.05 with bet365
(Price correct at 04/03/2020, 10:15 CET, subject to change)
Bayern – Baskonia
Bayern snapped a five-game road losing streak with a brilliant victory against Zenit St. Petersburg, its EuroLeague first win since late January. Baskonia has lost its last six road games, its last victory away from Fernando Buesa Arena was in Belgrade on December 12. Greg Monroe (12.5 ppg.) is Bayern’s top scorer, followed by Vladimir Lucic (11.6 ppg.) and Nihad Dedovic (8.5 ppg.). Toko Shengelia (15.7 ppg.), Shavon Shields (9.7 ppg.) and Semaj Christon (8.4 ppg.) are leading Baskonia right now.
After a long losing streak, Bayern has to stick to what it did well against Zenit. It only allowed 68 points, allowing its opponents to make only 5 of 30 three-point shots (16.7%) and scoring with great efficiency in the paint (28 of 44, 63.6%), mainly through Monroe and Lucic. Three-point shooting accuracy (4-of-12, 33.3%) and the lack of offensive boards (4) were negative aspects to improve in front of its fans at Audi Dome.
Rebounds, indeed, have been Baskonia’s main weapon this season. Baskonia ranks third in the EuroLeague in offensive rebounds (11.6 orpg.) and is sixth overall (34.9 rpg.). It is the lowest-scoring team in the competition (73.3 ppg.) mainly because of its poor percentages from downtown (32.7%) and from the foul line (70.5%). Increasing those numbers, particularly on the road, will make Baskonia more competitive.
Tip: 2 at 2.30 with bet365
(Price correct at 04/03/2020, 10:15 CET, subject to change)
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News Source: Euroleague.net
Basketball tips: Livetipster
