Euroleague Basketball Predictions, News & Injury list

Euroleague Basketball Predictions

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Efes – Khimki

Two teams going in different directions will square off on Thursday when Anadolu Efes Istanbul (10-9) welcomes Khimki Moscow Region (2-17) for Round 20 in their second game this week. Efes has won three of its previous four games, including the last against ALBA, 84-76, on Tuesday. Khimki is on a 10-game downward spiral, including a 75-87 home loss to Barcelona on Tuesday.

Efes seems to be finding its rhythm in recent weeks and now sits one spot shy of playoffs territory. Khimki has the worst defense in the league, allowing opponents 89.9 points per game, and the hosts will try to take advantage of that. On paper, however, these teams are not that far from each other. Of course, Khimki is loaded with offensive weapons, so despite the result from their previous encounter this season, Efes will be wise to pay attention to all the details to stay on its positive streak.

Efes signed Dzenan Musa, who is set to make his season debut.

Khimki is in danger of falling out of the race for the playoff spots, and the negative wave the team is riding does not help. But this team is loaded with quality players who can win any game at any time, and the tide could turn with just a single victory. The numbers say that Efes and Khimki are not that far apart, so the guests will have to play with heart in Istanbul and show a collective effort, especially on defense, that can bring them back to the winning path.

Janis Timma and Jonas Jerebko have missed the last three games. Greg Monroe has not played since Round 13.

Tip: Under 172.5 at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 14/01/2010, 11:45 CET, subject to change)

ALBA Berlin – AX Milano

Two teams experiencing different dynamics will square off on Thursday when ALBA Berlin (7-12) hosts AX Armani Exchange Milan (11-7) in their second game each of this double-round week. ALBA, missing coach Aito Garcia Reneses due to COVID and several players with injuries, has lost five of its last six games, including the last one at Anadolu Efes, 84-76. Milan won its second game in a row with a strong home victory against Valencia, 95-80.

ALBA is juggling injuries and has not been able to field a stable lineup lately. Now, it faces one of the strongest rosters in the league. Milan comes off two prestige victories, at Real Madrid and against Valencia, and will seek its first three-game winning streak of the season in Berlin. ALBA has to capitalize on the offensive flow that ranks it second overall in assists while also looking for better options from beyond the arc against a Milan team that is second-most accurate in the league (42.0%) from that range.

Luke Sikma and Niels Giffey are expected to miss several weeks with injuries. Head Coach Aito Garcia Reneses has missed ALBA’s last four games after testing positive for COVID-19. Marcus Eriksson has missed ALBA’s last 10 games.

Milan is on a roll and will look to stay that way in Berlin. For starters, the guests average 5 points more per game and are also playing the third-weakest defense in the league. However, Milan remains at the bottom of the rebounds rankings (29.9 rpg.) and will have to secure those boards to avoid ALBA from running and scoring easily.

Vladimir Micov has missed the team’s last four games. Shavon Shields has not played the last two games due to a thigh injury.

Tip: Over 162.5 at 1.95 with bet365
(Price correct at 14/01/2010, 11:45 CET, subject to change)

Maccabi – Baskonia

Two teams coming off losses earlier will look to end this double-round week on a high note as Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (8-11) welcomes TS Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (9-10) to Israel on Thursday. Maccabi fell to Olympiacos at home in overtime on Tuesday, 87-89, while Baskonia suffered a heavy loss at Fenerbahce, 96-76.

These teams are practically even points scored and allowed, so inspiration will be the factor to watch in this game. Maccabi will have to limit the offensive flow of the guests, who live off their 19.5 assists per game. In overall figures, Maccabi’s average PIR is almost 10 points below Baskonia’s. The hosts could have an edge under the boards, but this game will be as close as they come.

After defeating CSKA last week, Baskonia will look to get back on the right track with another prestige win in Tel Aviv. Both teams compare closely in both stats and records, so expect a close game in which every detail could matter. Maccabi shoots a bit better from the stripe, but Baskonia shows better numbers from the field. The biggest edge the guests have over Maccabi is in assists, so if Baskonia can execute its trademark aggressive defense, it could translate into transition points and the desired win.

Tip: Maccabi Over 80.5 at 1.80 with bet365
(Price correct at 14/01/2010, 11:45 CET, subject to change)