Euroleague Basketball Predictions, News & Injury list

Euroleague Basketball Predictions

Euro League basketball tips appear under each mini game preview.

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Khimki – Baskonia

Khimki Moscow Region will look to put its lengthy losing streak to bed on Thursday when it hosts TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. Khimki (2-21) has dropped 15 straight games, however, it has not played since last January and could be ripe to turn things around. Baskonia comes off back-to-back wins that lifted its record to 11-13 as it remains on the outside looking in for the playoff hunt.

Devin Booker has missed the last three games.

No team shoots more threes than Khmki, which leads the league with 10.1 triples made per game. However, its conversion rate is a middle-of-the-pack 36.5%. In its two wins this season, Khimki combined to knock down 25 threes at 40.3%. A strong shooting night by Shved, Errick McCollum and Janis Timma could make the difference in this game.

Khimki is third from the bottom in the league in rebounding (30.7 rpg.) and Baskonia is third in offensive rebounding (10.7). If Baskonia continues to dominate the glass and picking up steals at its league-leading rate (8.1 spg.), a third consecutive win could be in the cards.

Tip: Barcelona Over 90.5 at 1.83 with bet365
(Price correct at 18/02/2021, 10:00 CET, subject to change)

Anadolu Efes – Olympiacos

Two teams moving in opposite directions meet on Thursday when Anadolu Efes Istanbul hosts Olympiacos Piraeus. Efes has won five of its last six games to raise its record to 13-10 and climb into the top half of the standings. Olympiacos (11-13) has dropped four straight games and is now two wins outside of the playoff zone.

Tibor Pleiss has missed Efes’s last seven games with an injury.

Both teams have been outrebounded on average this season and that area will be pivotal. Rebounding has been a bigger issue for Efes, which has allowed the fifth-most offensive boards (10.2 per game). Bryant Dunston and Chris Singleton must keep the likes of Martin and Livio Jean-Charles off the glass to improve the hosts’ chances of securing another win.

Kostas Papanikolaou has missed Olympiacos’s last nine games.

The Reds have drawn the third-most fouls in the league this season (20.9 per game) and made the fifth-most free throws (19.0 per game). The tendency of guards Sloukas, Shaquielle McKissic and Aaron Harrison to draw fouls could change the dynamics of this game if they are able to put Micic, Larkin or Rodrigue Beaubois into foul trouble. It surely is an aspect to keep an eye on.

Tip: 1 (-9.0) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 18/02/2021, 10:00 CET, subject to change)

Milano – Maccabi

AX Armani Exchange Milan will look to bounce back after its six-game winning streak was snapped when it hosts Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, which returns to action after its last two games were suspended. Milan (15-8) is third in the standings and boasts an 8-4 record at home this season. Maccabi (10-12), which has not played since January due to the closure of the airport in Tel Aviv as a COVID-19 measure, is 4-7 on the road and is currently three wins outside of the playoff zone.

Jeff Brooks has not played in the last four rounds.

Milan has committed the fewest turnovers in the league (11.0 per game) and is second-best in three-point accuracy (42.6%). If Milan can keep its offense humming by avoiding turnovers and making threes, it is very difficult to stop.

Maccabi’s defense will be pivotal in this game. The Israeli champs have allowed 82.7 points in losses this season compared to just 74.3 in wins. Milan’s attack (81.8 ppg.) is third-best in the league, so it will be a tough task for Coach Sfairopoulos’s men. With fresh legs, Maccabi needs to play great defense and dominate the glass, where it has a distinct advantage over Milan.

Tip: 2 (+4.5) at 1.86 with bet365
(Price correct at 18/02/2021, 10:00 CET, subject to change)

Barcelona – Zalgiris

Two teams riding high after winning their national cups on Sunday meet when FC Barcelona hosts Zalgiris Kaunas. Barcelona (17-7) had won six in a row before losing to Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 24. Coach Jasikevicius’s men are 9-3 at home this season. His former team, Zalgiris (13-10), has lost three of its last four road games. Barcelona has won the last four games between them.

“Zalgiris is one of the teams playing better basketball in the EuroLeague. They have great numbers, also in defense. They have character and know how to compete. They have experienced players that know how to create. Grigonis is also having a great season and his percentages are those of a high-level player. We played good defense in Kaunas. We both played a physical game there and I also expect this now.” JASIKEVICIUS, SARUNAS (FC Barcelona)

Barcelona has the best defense in the league (74.0 ppg.) and has committed the fewest turnovers (15.0 per game). Its biggest weakness has been allowing the second-most offensive rebounds (10.7). Keeping tabs on the trio of Zalgiris Joffrey Lauvergne, Augustine Rubit and Martinas Geben on the glass may be critical.

Zalgiris swingman Patricio Garino remains out of action after a knee operation.
Steve Vasturia will be sidelined at least until mid-February with a knee injury.

The best way to take down an elite defense is by making shots and Zalgiris is among the best; it is second in true shooting percentage (52.5%) and leads the league in three-point shooting (42.7%). Playing patient, getting good looks and knocking down those shots is the best way for Coach Schiller’s men to snatch a key road game in Barcelona.

Tip: Under 154.5 at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 18/02/2021, 10:00 CET, subject to change)