Euroleague Predictions – Friday matches

Euroleague Basketball Predictions

Our Euroleague predictions are coming to an end this week as we’re wrapping up Round 16. Let’s dive straight into our Euroleague picks for today’s games. Here’s a rundown of what’s coming up.

Yes, these are the best Euroleague basketball tips you can possible find and appear under each mini game preview.

Efes – Baskonia

As the first of six Friday games gets underway, Efes (7-8) hosts Baskonia (8-7) in a matchup between two bitter rivals looking to end two-game losing streaks. Despite a strong effort of 19 points and 8 rebounds by recently signed paint player Dan Oturu, Efes was defeated in Munich on Wednesday. For his first meeting with his old squad, point guard Darius Thompson will be counted on by the hosts to set the pace. Codi Miller-McIntyre will try to stop him from ruining Baskonia’s season after averaging 11.3 assists in the previous three games. We can only hope for a replay of the clubs’ January 114-111 overtime thriller victory against Baskonia, which featured 16 assists from Thompson.

Zalgiris – Barcelona

Travelling to Zalgiris (5-10), Barcelona (10-5) will try to avert another such upset after suffering back-to-back shocking losses to lower-tier opponents. The Lithuanian squad has now dropped four straight games, the most recent being a thrilling game against Fenerbahce on Wednesday that saw Zalgiris blow a double-digit halftime lead despite Rolands Smits, an ex-Barcelona forward, scoring 16 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Barca needs to improve its usually prolific long-range shooting after converting just 6-of-24 three-pointers in Tuesday’s loss to ALBA. Barca has now lost four of its previous five road games, averaging just 68.5 points in those losses. The only player to score in double figures in that loss was Nico Laprovittola (15 points), hence head coach Roger Grimau’s team needs to make significant progress all around.

Asvel – Olympiacos

The struggling Olympiacos (7-8), who have dropped four of their last five games, will travel to ASVEL (2-13) in an attempt to rekindle its misfiring offence. The loss in Milan on Wednesday extended the home team’s losing streak to seven games, which has left them in last position. Two enormous falls will square off in a crucial paint matchup: Youssoupha Fall of ASVEL averages 8.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks, while Moustapha Fall of Olympiacos has 7.5 points, 4.7 boards, and 0.9 blocked shots on average. Experienced playmakers Thomas Walkup and Nando De Colo will try to go back to their previous levels in the backcourt after their teams’ earlier losses this week, where they scored just 3 and 5 points, respectively.

ALBA Berlin – Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce (8-7), which is seeking a third straight victory under new coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, will pay ALBA (3-12) a visit in an attempt to claim another high-profile victim after the team opened the week with an impressive triumph over Barcelona. A similar effort will be needed against a Fenerbahce squad that scored 24 points in the fourth quarter to pull off a comeback victory over Zalgiris in Round 15. ALBA’s triumph on Tuesday was built on exceptional defence. The key to Fener’s victory was Tyler Dorsey’s 19 points on 6-for-8 field goal shooting. He will have a tough test on Friday from Sterling Brown, another explosive backcourt player who returned from injury and was instrumental on both ends of the court against Barcelona, finishing with 10 points and three steals.

Bayern – Monaco

This week’s matchup between Bayern (7-8) and Monaco (8-7) in Munich will pit two clubs with very different midweek moods against one another and have significant standings ramifications. With a convincing home win against Efes, the German squad demonstrated their recent progress, while Monaco has now dropped three of its previous four games following their heartbreaking loss to Panathinaikos in the closing seconds. When facing Pablo Laso’s team, who lead the league in rebounding (38.6) and blocked shots (3.3), the Roca Team will need to be prepared for a hard contest. The combination of Serge Ibaka and Isaac Bonga of Bayern, who scored 28 points and pulled down 13 rebounds against Efes, will be a formidable foe for Donatas Motiejunas, the visiting player, and dunk specialist Donta Hall, who scored just 11 points in the team’s loss to Panathinaikos.

Milano – Panathinaikos

Round 16 concludes with two clubs riding high as Milan (6-9) hosts Panathinaikos (8-7) with hopes of winning three straight. The Greens are still in awe following their thrilling victory over Monaco on Wednesday, which highlighted the variety of Ergin Ataman’s squad with six players scoring in double digits, lead by Kostas Sloukas’ 17 points. Diego Flaccadori, Milan’s playmaker, is playing at the highest level of his career after recording a career-high 15 points and 7 assists in the team’s Round 14 victory over Barcelona earlier this week. Nicolo Melli scored 17 points for Milan in the game on 7 of 8 field goal attempts, suggesting that the team may finally be clicking.

(All prices correct at 22/12/2023, 08:45 CET, subject to change)

News Source: Euroleague.net

Basketball tips today (More basketball tips)

---

Euroleague Standings

Disclaimer: This is not investment or gambling advice. Always conduct your own independent research.