Euroleague Preview – Round 28 – Just three more to go!

Euroleague Preview & Tips

The Regular Season’s final double-week is closing to an end. There are only 3 more rounds to play but a lot to be decided. Round 28 follows on Thursday and Friday. While Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow and Olympiacos have secured home advantage for the play-offs, 4th place is still for grabs. Fener is there but Baskonia and Panathinaikos, who face each other on a great battle, are planning to overtake.

Friday’s matches

On Friday, a Russian derby pits together teams with opposite intentions as CSKA Moscow (20-7) seek to rise to the top of the standings while Unics Kazan (7-20) hopes to avoid dropping to bottom place. It is a meeting between the league’s most prolific offense and the third-worst, with CSKA averaging 87.6 points per game while Unics has mustered just 76.6. But the home team, looking for its first win in more than two months, does have a slight edge in rebounding, averaging 33.4 boards per game against CSKA’s 32.9. The 9 points difference where the games is split looks too unpredictable and I have to stay away from this one.

Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul (13-14) knows it can’t afford any more slip-ups as it hosts crosstown rivals Galatasaray Odeabank (10-17). With four wins in its last six games, eliminated Galatasaray is certainly finishing its season with a flourish, and Darussafaka urgently needs to find that kind of form to have any chance of joining the post-season action. But it has won three consecutive home games, mainly thanks to excellent defense which has allowed an average of just 64.3 points over the course of those encounters. More of the same is required on Friday. I prefer to eat a kebab from my local Turkish guy than betting on this one.

If Darussafaka loses, Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (15-12) can take advantage by sealing a playoff spot with a victory at eliminated FC Barcelona Lassa (10-17). Points will be at a premium as the league’s two lowest scoring teams go head to head: Barcelona has averaged 71.6 points per game, and Zvezda 74.4. Expect Zvezda to force the game inside, as the Serbian team has converted the league’s lowest number of three-pointers (6.9 per game) with the worst conversion rate (33.9%), while Barcelona has made the fewest two-point strikes (16.8 per game). I’ll risk here going with Barcelona and the home win with at 2.20 with bet365.

And finally, first-placed Real Madrid (20-7) will attempt to hold onto that position as it travels to face a team which would like to take it off them, Olympiacos Piraeus (19-8). Having lost by 18 points in Madrid on the season’s opening day, the Greek team would love to win by more than that amount to claim head to head advantage. But with both teams already assured of home-court advantage in the play-offs, perhaps the greater goal is claiming superiority ahead of a potential Final Four meeting. And it will be a familiar story of Olympiacos’s top-ranked defense (73.1 points per game allowed) attempting to stop Madrid’s second-ranked offense (87 points per game scored). The latest news say that Printezis was sick while Spanoulis has been ill too and not at his best in the last games. Therefore I’m backing the away win with at 2.20 with bet365.

Daily Basketball Picks

DateLeagueEventPickOddsBet+/-Type
28/03/2024NBABKN Nets - CHI Bulls21.80200Pre
27/03/2024NBADEN Nuggets - PHX SunsOver 226.51.91100-100Pre
25/03/2024NBAATL Hawks - BOS Celtics1 (+12.0)1.91200+182Pre
24/03/2024NBAMIA Heat - CLE CavaliersUnder 203.01.91100-100Pre
23/03/2024NBACHI Bulls - BOS CelticsOver 221.51.91200+182Pre
22/03/2024NBAMIA Heat - NO PelicansOver 205.51.93100-100Pre
21/03/2024NBAHOU Rockets - CHI Bulls1 (-3.5)1.92100+92Pre
20/03/2024NBABOS Celtics - MIL BucksOver 224.01.91100+91Pre
19/03/2024NBAMIN Timberwolves - DEN Nuggets1 (+7.0)1.91200+182Pre
18/03/2024NBABOS Celtics - DET Pistons2 (-16.0)1.91100-100Pre
17/03/2024NBAWAS Wizards - BOS Celtics2 (-10.5)1.91100+91Pre
16/03/2024NBALA Lakers - GS Warriors22.35200+270Pre
15/03/2024NBAUTA Jazz - ATL Hawks2 (-2.5)1.91100-100Pre
14/03/2024NBABOS Celtic - PHX Suns1 (-6.0)1.91100+91Pre
13/03/2024NBAIND Pacers - CHI Bulls22.47200+294Pre
12/03/2024NBASAC Kings - MIL BucksOver 237.01.91200-200Pre
11/03/2024NBADET Pistons - CHA Hornets22.45100-100Pre
10/03/2024NBALA Clippers - MIL Bucks2 (-3.5)1.951000+950Pre
09/03/2024NBALA Clippers - CHI Bulls23.45400-400Pre
08/03/2024NBANY Knicks - ORL Magic11.871000+870Pre
07/03/2024NBAPHX Suns - TOR Rsptors2 (+10.0)1.913000+2730Pre
06/03/2024NBAATL Hawks - CLE Cavaliers1 (-2.5)1.935000+4650Pre
05/03/2024NBANY Knicks - ATL HawksOver 216.51.953000-3000Pre
04/03/2024NBAMIL Bucks - LA Clippers2 (+5.0)1.952000-2000Pre
03/03/2024NBABOS Celtics - GS WarriorsOver 230.01.911000-1000Pre
02/03/2024NBAMEM Grizzlies - POR Trail Blazers1 (-2.5)1.95400-400Pre
01/03/2024NBATOR Raptors - GS Warriors12.30200-200Pre
29/02/2024NBANY Knicks - GS Warriors12.50100-100Pre
28/02/2024NBACHI Bulls - CLE CavaliersOver 216.51.911000+910Pre
27/02/2024NBABOS Celtics - PHI 76ersOver 229.01.91400-400Pre
26/02/2024NBASAC Kings - MIA HeatUnder 226.51.91200-200Pre
25/02/2024NBAPHI 76ers - MIL Bucks1/2 at HT/FT5.90100-100Pre
24/02/2024NBADET Pistons - ORL Magic1 (+6.5)1.98100+98Pre
23/02/2024NBAMIN Timberwolves - MIL Bucks2 (+5.0)1.95200+190Pre
22/02/2024NBACHI Bulls - BOS CelticsUnder 225.01.91100-100Pre
15/02/2024NBAMEM Grizzlies - MIL BucksUnder 224.01.91200+182Pre
14/02/2024NBADEN Nuggets - SAC KingsOver 230.01.91100-100Pre
13/02/2024NBAMIL Bucks - MIA HeatUnder 226.51.91100+91Pre
12/02/2024NBATOR Raptors - SA SpursUnder 234.51.91100+91Pre
11/02/2024NBAMIA Heat - BOS CelticsUnder 226.01.91100-Pre
10/02/2024NBAORL Magic - CHI BullsOver 217.51.91100+91Pre
09/02/2024NBAMIL Bucks - CHA Hornets1 (-14.5)1.91200+182Pre
08/02/2024NBALA Lakers - DEN NuggetsOver 231.01.91100-100Pre
07/02/2024NBABOS Celtics - ATL HawksUnder 243.01.91100+91Pre
06/02/2024NBANY Knicks - MEM Grizzlies2 (+13.5)1.95100+95Pre
05/02/2024NBAPHI 76ers - DAL Mavericks21.87100+87Pre
04/02/2024NBAMIA Heat - LA ClippersUnder 225.01.91100+91Pre
03/02/2024NBADAL Mavericks - MIL BucksUnder 248.01.91400+364Pre
02/02/2024NBADEN Nuggets - POR Trail BlazersOver 221.01.911000+910Pre
01/02/2024NBABOS Celtics - LA LakersUnder 240.51.903000+2700Pre
31/01/2024NBACLE Cavaliers - DET PistonsUnder 229.51.902000-2000Pre
30/01/2024NBABOS Celtics - IND PacersOver 241.51.913000+2730Pre
29/01/2024NBACHA Hornets - NY Knicks2 (-7.5)1.915000+4550Pre
28/01/2024NBAPOR Trail Blazers - CHI BullsOver 217.01.913000-3000Pre
27/01/2024NBABKN Nets - HOU Rockets1 (-5.0)1.952000-2000Pre
26/01/2024NBAIND Pacers - PHX Suns1 (+4.5)1.955000+4750Pre
24/01/2024NBAMIL Bucks - CLE Cavaliers2 (+7.5)1.903000-3000Pre
22/01/2024NBADET Pistons - MIL BucksOver 248.01.902000-2000Pre
21/01/2024NBAWAS Wizards - DEN Nuggets2 (-13.5)1.951000-1000Pre
20/01/2024NBAHOU Rockets - UTA Jazz22.20650-650Pre
19/01/2024NBABOS Celtics - DEN NuggetsOver 233.01.91400-400Pre
18/01/2024NBAUTA Jazz - OKC Thunder12.35150-150Pre
17/01/2024NBAATL Hawks - ORL Magic22.40100-100Pre
16/01/2024NBAPHI 76ers - DEN NuggetsOver 226.51.90200+180Pre
15/01/2024NBAATL Hawks - SA SpursUnder 245.51.90400+360Pre
14/01/2024NBADEN Nuggets - IND Pacers2 (+11.0)1.95700+665Pre
13/01/2024NBAMIL Bucks - GS WarriorsOver 246.51.901000+900Pre
12/01/2024NBADET Pistons - HOU RocketsOver 227.51.901000-1000Pre
11/01/2024NBAMIL Bucks - BOS Celtics2 (+6.0)1.90400-400Pre
10/01/2024NBAIND Pacers - WAS WizardsOver 251.51.90200-200Pre
09/01/2024NBALA Lakers - TOR Raptors1 (-4.5)1.95100-100Pre
08/01/2024NBAIND Pacers - BOS Celtics12.40100+140Pre
07/01/2024NBALA Lakers - LA Clippers1 (+3.5)1.97100+97Pre
06/01/2024NBAIND Pacers - BOS CelticsUnder 246.51.95100+91Pre
04/01/2024NBAGS Warriors - DEN NuggetsOver 234.51.91100+91Pre
03/01/2024NBALA Lakers - MIA HeatUnder 226.51.91100+91Pre
30/12/2023NBACHI Bulls - PHI 76ers1 (-1.5)1.911000+910Pre
29/12/2023NBAORL Magic - NY Knicks22.00400-400Pre
28/12/2023NBACHI Bulls - IND Pacers12.18200-200Pre
27/12/2023NBAWAS Wizards - TOR RaptorsOver 238.51.91100-100Pre
26/12/2023NBACHI Bulls - ATL Hawks11.83100+83Pre
25/12/2023NBAMIA Heat - PHI 76ers1 (-3.0)1.91100+91Pre
23/12/2023NBANY Knicks - MIL BucksUnder 243.51.93100+93Pre
22/12/2023NBASAC Kings - PHX SunsUnder 244.51.90100+90Pre
21/12/2023NBACHI Bulls - SA Spurs1 (-3.5)1.90100+90Pre
20/12/2023NBAIND Pacers - CHA HornetsOver 249.51.90400+360Pre
18/12/2023NBAIND Pacers - LA ClippersOver 240.51.901000+900Pre
16/12/2023NBAMIL Bucks - DET PistonsUnder 240.51.90400-400Pre
15/12/2023NBATOR Raptors - ATL HawksOver 245.51.95200-200Pre
14/12/2023NBABOS Celtics - CLE Cavaliers2 (+8.5)1.90100-100Pre
13/12/2023NBAMIA Heat - CHA Hornets1 (-8.0)1.901000+900Pre
12/12/2023NBACHI Bulls - DEN NuggetsOver 221.51.90400-400Pre
10/12/2023ITA - AMilano - Virtus BolognaUnder 158.51.90200-200Pre
08/12/2023NBABOS Celtics - NY KnicksUnder 220.51.90100-100Pre
07/12/2023NBALA Lakers - NO Pelicans11.81100+81Pre
06/12/2023NBACHI BUlls - CHA Hornets1 (-4.5)1.90400+360Pre
05/12/2023NBAMIL Bucks - NY Knicks1 (-4.5)1.903000+2700Pre
04/12/2023NBAIND Pacers - BOS Celtics2 (-4.5)1.901500-1500Pre
03/12/2023FRA - AMonaco - Paris2 (+7.5)1.90700-700Pre
02/12/2023NBACHI Bulls - NO Pelicans2 (-4.0)1.90400-400Pre
01/12/2023NBABOS Celtics - PHI 76ersOver 222.51.902000+1800Pre
30/11/2023NBACHI Bulls - MIL Bucks2 (-7.5)1.901000-1000Pre
30/11/2023ELMonaco - OlympiacosUnder 156.51.90400-400Pre
29/11/2023NBATOR Raptors - PHX SunsOver 222.51.90200-200Pre
28/11/2023NBAMIA Heat - MIL Bucks1 (+3.0)1.90100-100Pre
27/11/2023NBAUTA Jazz - NO Pelicans1 (+4.0)1.90200+180Pre
26/11/2023NBAMIL Bucks - POR Trail Blazers1 (-12.5)1.90100-100Pre
25/11/2023NBAUTA Jazz - NO Pelicans12.00200+200Pre
24/11/2023ELEfes - Partizan2 (+3.0)1.90100-100Pre
23/11/2023ELPanathinaikos - ValenciaHome Over 81.52.172000+2340Pre
22/11/2023NBABOS Celtics - MIL BucksOver 235.51.901000-1000Pre
21/11/2023NBALA Lakers - UTA Jazz2 (+8.5)1.90400-400Pre
20/11/2023NBACHI Bulls - MIA Heat1 (+1.5)1.90200-200Pre
19/11/2023NBACLE Cavaliers - DEN Nuggets2 (-2.5)1.95100-100Pre
18/11/2023NBAMIL Bucks - DAL MavericksOver 242.51.90100+90Pre
17/11/2023NBACLE Cavaliers - DET Pistons2 (+8.5)1.952000+1900Pre
16/11/2023ELMaccabi - FenerbahceOver 160.51.901000-1000Pre
15/11/2023ELPanathinaikos - Zalgiris1 & Over 150.51.90400-400Pre
14/11/2023ELValencia - Real MadridOver 157.51.90200-200Pre
13/11/2023NBAMIL Bucks - CHI BullsOver 229.01.90100-100Pre
12/11/2023NBALA Clippers - MEM Grizzlies2 (+8.5)1.95200+190Pre
11/11/2023NBAORL Magic - MIL Bucks2 (-3.0)1.90100-100Pre
10/11/2023ELALBA - Panathinaikos2 (-3.5)1.95400+380Pre
09/11/2023ELPartizan - Fenerbahce1 (-6.5)2.20200-200Pre
08/11/2023ECTurk Telekom - Gran CanariaOver 160.51.90100-100Pre
07/11/2023ECVenezia - Cedevita2 (+8.5)1.90100+90Pre
06/11/2023NBADET Pistons - GS Warriors2 (-6.0)1.90100+90Pre
05/11/2023NBADET Pistons - PHX Suns2 (-5.5)1.90200+180Pre
04/11/2023NBAPHI 76ers - PHX SunsOver 220.51.90100-100Pre
03/11/2023ELVirtus Bologna - Efes1 (-2.5)1.90200+180Pre
02/11/2023ELFenerbahce - Olympiacos1 (-4.5)1.95100-100Pre
31/10/2023ELMilano - Maccabi2 (+5.5)1.90100+90Pre
30/10/2023GRE - A1Olympiacos - Panathinaikos2 (+7.5)1.90200+180Pre
29/10/2023GRE - A1Lavrio - PAOKUnder 157.51.94100-100Pre
28/10/2023GRE - A1Marousi - Karditsa1 (-4.5)1.90100+90Pre
27/10/2023ELBayern - FenerbahceUnder 159.51.90200+180Pre
26/10/2023ELReal Madrid - BarcelonaOver 166.51.90100-100Pre
25/10/2023ECSlask - Aris Salonika2 (-2.5)1.90100+90Pre
24/10/2023BCLDarussafaka - Tenerife1 (+4.5)1.90100+90Pre
23/10/2023GRE - A1Panathinaikos - LavrioOver 158.51.951000+950Pre
22/10/2023SPA - ACBBaskonia - Malaga1 (-4.5)1.98400-400Pre
21/10/2023SPA - ACBJoventut - Andorra1 (-7.5)1.90200-200Pre
20/10/2023ELBarca - Bayern2 (+8.5)1.90100-100Pre
19/10/2023ELOlympiacos - Partizan2 (+6.5)1.90100+90Pre
18/10/2023ELVirtus Bologna - Alba Berlin1 (-8.5)1.90100+90Pre
17/10/2023ELMilano - Olympiacos11.781000+780Pre
15/10/2023ITA - AVarese - TortonaOver 169.51.95400-400Pre
14/10/2023ITA - AMilano - Reggio EmiliaUnder 155.51.901000+900Pre
13/10/2023ELOlympiacos - Barcelona22.202000+2400Pre
12/10/2023ELAlba Berlin - BaskoniaUnder 167.52.001000-1000Pre
11/10/2023ECGran Canaria - Ulm1 (-8.5)1.953000+2850Pre
10/10/2023ECLietkabelis - Aris2 (+4.5)1.952000-2000Pre
09/10/2023GRE - A1Panathinaikos - ArisOver 160.51.911400-1400Pre
08/10/2023GRE - A1Aris - Olympiacos1 (+18.5)1.952000+1900Pre
07/10/2023SPA - ACBTenerife - BreoganUnder 157.51.871700-1700Pre
06/10/2023ELPanathinaikos - OlympiacosUnder 154.51.911000-1000Pre
05/10/2023ELMaccabi - Partizan2 (+4.5)1.85400-400Pre
04/10/2023ECAris - Gran Canaria1 (+6.5)1.95200-200Pre
01/10/2023SPA - ACBReal Madrid - BarcaOver 166.51.95100-100Pre
30/09/2023GRE - SCOlympiacos - PanathinaikosUnder 157.51.93200+186Pre
29/09/2023GRE - SCPeristeri - Olympiacos1 (+13.5)1.93100-100Pre
28/09/2023SPA - ACBJoventut - Granada2 (+11.5)1.90500+450Pre
27/09/2023SPA - ACBMurcia - Baskonia1 (+4.5)2.002000+2000Pre
26/09/2023FRA - PROMonaco - Saint-Quenin1 (-19.5)2.051000-1000Pre
24/09/2023SPA - ACBGran Canaria - Manresa2 (+8.5)1.952000+1900Pre
23/09/2023ITA - SCMilano - Virtus BolognaOver 154.51.801500-1500Pre
19/09/2023WNBADAL Wings - ATL DreamUnder 170.51.90900-900Pre
18/09/2023FRA - CupPont de Cheruy - Antibes2 (-11.5)1.90300-300Pre
17/09/2023WNBALV Aces - CHI SkyOver 170.51.90200-200Pre
13/09/2023WNBALV Aces - CHI SkyOver 170.51.90100-100Pre
10/09/2023WC 2023Germany - SerbiaOver 42.5 Total Fouls1.85200+170Pre
09/09/2023WC 2023Latvia - LithuaniaOver 173.51.95100-100Pre
08/09/2023WC 2023Serbia - Canada1 (+4.5)1.90400+360Pre
07/09/2023WC 2023Italy - Latvia11.90150-150Pre
06/09/2023WC 2023Canada - SloveniaUnder 176.51.95100-100Pre
05/09/2023WC 2023Italy - USAUnder 178.51.95100+95Pre
03/09/2023WC 2023Spain - CanadaOver 168.51.90100+90Pre
02/09/2023WC 2023Jordan - Mexico2 (-5.5)2.00100+100Pre
01/09/2023WC 2023Lithuania - Greece1 (-7.5)1.90100+90Pre
31/08/2023WC 2023Egypt - Jordan11.95400+380Pre
30/08/2023WC 2023USA - JordanOver 185.51.90200-200Pre
29/08/2023WC 2023Montenegro - Lithuania1 (+5.5)1.90100-100Pre
28/08/2023WC 2023Brazil - SpainOver 162.51.90100+90Pre
27/08/2023WC 2023Italy - Dominican Rep.2 (+5.5)1.90100+90Pre
26/08/2023WC 2023USA - New Zealand2 (+36.5)1.901000+900Pre
25/08/2023WC 2023Canada - FranceOver 167.51.95400-400Pre
20/08/2023OG - QTurkey - CroatiaOver 167.51.90200-200Pre
18/08/2023OG - QCroatia - UkraineOver 159.51.90100-100Pre
17/08/2023OG - QChile - ColombiaUnder 148.51.90400+360Pre
16/08/2023OG - QPortugal - PolandOver 152.51.90200-200Pre
15/08/2023OG - QBulgaria - Iceland1 (+4.5)1.95100-100Pre
14/08/2023OG - QSweden - CroatiaOver 155.51.90100+90Pre
13/08/2023WNBAWAS Mystics - CHI SkyUnder 159.51.95200+190Pre
08/08/2023WNBACHI Sky - MIN Lynx1 (-3.5)1.95100-100Pre
04/08/2023WNBAIND Fever - CON Sun2 (-7.5)1.90200+180Pre
02/08/2023WNBASEA Storm - DAL WingsOver 168.51.90100-100Pre
01/08/2023WNBAIND Fever - PHX MercuryUnder 160.51.90100+90Pre

Thursday’s matches

The action starts with a cracking Istanbul derby as Anadolu Efes (15-12) hosts Fenerbahce (17-10). Both teams have a lot at stake, with Efes potentially just one more victory away from sealing a spot in the playoffs and Fenerbahce needing to keep control of home-court advantage. Efes is in flying form with six wins in seven games, while injury-hit Fenerbahce has lost two of its last three. The host claims a considerable advantage in rebounding (36 per game versus 32.1), but Fenerbahce shoots with greater accuracy, converting 52.4% of two-point attempts against Efes’s 49.8%. Fener has a lot of injuries that could cause another defeat but to see them at 2.75 (7/4) is challenging. Aaaaaahhh… Staying out of it because I hardly ever bet with my instinct.

In Tel Aviv, a new-look and rejuvenated Maccabi FOX (10-17) welcomes a Zalgiris Kaunas (12-15) team which simply must win to keep its playoff dreams intact. Maccabi seems to have turned a corner in recent weeks, winning two of its last three games by scoring an average of 86.7 points in those contests. Zalgiris will attempt to quell that offensive threat with physicality – the Lithuanian champ has committed more fouls than any other team this season, 23.4 per game, and drawn the joint fifth-highest amount (20.7 per game). Maccabi could have a good run to end their disappointing season so far and a win against Zalgiris is within its powers. The home win with a handicap of -2.0 points is priced at 1.90 with bet365.

Two eliminated teams still have pride to play for as rock-bottom EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (7-20) hosts Brose Bamberg (9-18). No team has allowed more points than Milan’s 86.9 per game, giving encouragement to a Bamberg team which ranks 6th in the league in scoring (79.2 points per game). But Milan can also score, with its average of 81.1 points better than any other team in the bottom half of the standings, so the outcome could well be decided by which team puts up greater defensive resistance. But will they do it this way? Or they will play freely and offensively? I think the latter and Over 163.0 points is priced at 1.90 with bet365.

Finally on Thursday, the Game of the Week sees red-hot Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (16-11) gun for its fifth consecutive victory with the visit of Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens (16-11). Both teams have already qualified for the playoffs but are still hoping to seal home-court advantage, with Baskonia possibly having the chance to rise into fourth place by the end of the night after sweeping Fenerbahce earlier in the season. Panathinaikos does not have that luxury, and needs to improve its offensive production on the road after averaging just 68.7 points in its last six games away from Athens. This is our main pick for basketball today (there is an NBA prediction later tonight), believing Panathinaikos will not lose with more than 4.5 points difference. Expecting a tight score, I’m backing the away win with the handicap of +4.5 at 1.90.

Stats source: euroleague.net

Basketball Tips: livetipster.com

Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore