Euroleague Basketball Tips
Euro League basketball predictions appear under each mini game preview.
Zenit – Panathinaikos
Coming off its first-ever EuroLeague victory, Zenit now returns to its home floor where it welcomes Panathinaikos in Round 4 opener for the first time. While Zenit bounced back last week from losses in opening two rounds, Panathinaikos arrives in St Petersburg after back-to-back one-point losses.
After allowing 85.0 points per game after two rounds, Zenit had a big defensive performance last week, holding Olympiacos to just 68 points despite the game going into overtime. That’s especially important until Zenit finds a better offensive rhythm. The team is yet to score more than 65 points in regulation time, and it will need to get the offensive going if it wants to improve its chances to register its second EuroLeague win.
The Greens have done a solid job in each of their first three games this season, but then they allowed 29 points in the fourth quarter of each of their first two games to start the season. Panathinaikos also could not hold on despite grabbing momentum and opening a 7-point lead with 6 minutes to go last week. To get back on the winning track, Panathinaikos will need to finish the games better and keep the level of play up until the final buzzer.
Tip: Under 157.5 at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 24/10/2019, 11:15 CET, could have changed)
Anadolu Efes – Real Madrid
Two teams that reached the 2019 Final Four go head to head in the early stage of the new season as Efes hosts Real at Sinan Erdem Dome. Both teams hold 2-1 record going into this clash, but with Efes having a good momentum having won its last two games, while Real suffered a road loss against Zalgiris last week.
Efes offense is yet to click the way it has worked the entire last season. The biggest difference has been Efes making 9.0 triples per game on just 31.4% three-point accuracy. James Anderson, Chris Singleton, Krunoslav Simon, and Micic are a combined 10-for-44 from long range, a mere 22.7%. Despite those struggles, Efes still has two fins this season, but a likely improvement in the three-point shooting will be needed from these players against Real.
Real has been the best defensive rebounding team last season, but not as much in the first three rounds this campaign. The team is pulling down 21.0 per game, which ranks 15th this season and is 6 fewer rebounds than what Real averaged last season. Meanwhile, the team is allowing opponents to grab slightly more offensive rebounds than a year ago. It has helped the opposition put up 82.7 points per game so far against Los Blancos this season. Real will need to find more stops on defense against Efes if it wants to register its first road win of this season.
Tip: Over 161.5 at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 24/10/2019, 11:15 CET, could have changed)
Maccabi – Valencia
Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv will look to remain undefeated at home when it hosts Valencia Basket, which is seeking its first win of the season. Maccabi notched its first victory last week by defeating Crvena Zvezda mts Belgarde 84-69 after overtime. The starting backcourt of Scottie Wilbekin and Nate Wolters combined for 31 points for Maccabi. Valencia came up short against EuroLeague runner-up Anadolu Efes Istanbul 78-83 despite a 22-point effort by Bojan Dubljevic. These teams last met two seasons ago and traded regular-season home wins.
the Maccabi offense has been fairly consistent so far this season with between 83 and 85 points in each game. However, when it played its best defense last week in holding Crvena Zvezda to 69 points is when the Israeli champs finally got their first win. Valencia has scored the second-fewest points in the league so far this season (70.7 ppg.), so it’s a good opportunity for Maccabi to focus on defense again. Another weakness for Maccabi to address is offensive rebounds; its 8.0 per game are fewest in the league and a few extra easy baskets of possessions could make the difference.
There is no shortage of excellent three-point marksmen on this Valencia roster, but so far the team has struggled from downtown; its 26.7% three-point accuracy is last in the EuroLeague. Alberto Abalde (14.3%), Bojan Dubljevic (12.5%) and Vanja Marinkovic (20%) are all struggling so far, but if Valencia turns that around and the threes start to fall, this game will look much different.
Tip: 1 (-10.0) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 24/10/2019, 11:15 CET, could have changed)
Bayern – Khimki
Coming off one of its best-ever offensive performances in the EuroLeague, Bayern will try to keep its perfect home record intact when it welcomes Khimki Mosco Region. Dating back to last season, Bayern has won seven of its last eight home games in the competition, including a 104-63 thrashing of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne last week. Going into this clash, both teams hold 2-1 records, and for both teams, the only loss so far came on the road against CSKA Moscow.
Away from the spotlight, Bayern had been playing good defensively so far this season. By holding opponents to 68.7 points per game, Bayern is the only team in the league allowing below 70 points, and on the home floor that averages drop to 63.5. Bayern has done a great job so far forcing a low-percentage shooting from its opponents, and the team will need to continue that trend against Alexey Shved and the rest of a dangerous shooting Khimki squad.
Khimki has entered the season having problems with player injuries, and coach Rimas Kurtinaitis has been forced to use shortened rotation. In such circumstances, only nine different players have scored a basket through three games, and only five are scoring more than 6.5 points per game. Facing one of the league’s best defenses to start the season, Khimki will need more players to step up on the offense, and take the load off Shved’s shoulders.
Tip: Over 161.0 at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 24/10/2019, 11:15 CET, could have changed)
Crvena Zvezda – Barcelona
FC Barcelona will try to keep its perfect record intact when it visits Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade in the legendary Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in the Serbian capital. Zvezda is coming off a tough overtime loss in Tel Aviv and goes back to protecting its home floor behind support of what will surely be a packed gym against undefeated Barcelona, which has won its first three games of the season by an average margin of 17.6 points.
It is not a secret that fans give Zvezda a massive boost of energy when the team is playing on the home floor, and it will be of great importance in this game, too. Barcelona is not only unbeaten, but as deep and talented as any team in the competition, and Zvezda will need any edge it can get. Using high energy from the start, and taking care of its defensive glass – Zvezda allows the fewest 8.0 offensive rebounds per game – will be keys for Zvezda to develop its transition game, and increase its chances in this contest.
With so many great scorers throughout its roster, it will be crucial for Barcelona to set the rhythm and pace of the game to its liking. Barcelona has had very few offensive issues early in the season, ranking third in scoring (88.0 ppg.) and third in assists (21.7 apg.). When the team led by Nikola Mirotic gets that offense going, it is hard to stop. This will be a tough test for Barcelona in the early part of the season, and the one they would love to pass with flying colors.
Tip: 1 (+6.0) at 1.83 with bet365
(Price correct at 24/10/2019, 11:15 CET, could have changed)
News Source: Euroleague.net
Basketball tips: Livetipster
