Euroleague Basketball Predictions
The action in the Euroleague regular season continues with “double week” action. We have learnt quite a lot of things about this years contestants after a few exciting games and we can predict with more confidence on european basketball matches today. So, let’s dive straight into our Euroleague picks for today’s games:
Our EuroLeague basketball tips appear under each mini game preview.
Crvena Zvezda – Milano
AX Milan (3-10) will be welcomed to Aleksandar Nikolic Hall by Crvena Zvezda (7-6) in a matchup of two teams with drastically different records. Since 2016, these two teams have faced off 10 times in the EuroLeague, with the home team presently leading the series 6-3.
With a six-game winning streak, the most recent of which came against Zalgiris on Tuesday night, 77-73, Zvezda is perhaps the hottest team in the EuroLeague right now. Luca Vildoza had 27 points to lead the champions, and Nemanja Nedovic had 21 as well. On the other hand, Milan is going through a bad patch right now after dropping nine straight games, including Tuesday night’s home loss to Maccabi, which they suffered despite Billy Baron’s 18 points. When the Italian team reaches Belgrade on Thursday, it will be hoping to get back on track.
Zvezda has been performing well since since head coach Dusko Ivanovic took them. The squad is making the most of its opportunities, and despite ranking 15th overall in PIR average (76.6), they are still winning games. Milan, on the other hand, has the lowest PIR average in the league (70.6) and really has to get going before it loses the chance to make the playoffs. Oddly enough, Milan has the league’s best defence overall despite scoring only 76.7 points per game. The issue is that, at 68.7 ppg, their offensive is the poorest of any of them.
Tip: 2 at 2.70
Zalgiris – Real Madrid
When Real Madrid (9-4) visits Zalgiris (6-7) at Zalgirio Arena on Thursday night, a new chapter in one of the most recognisable EuroLeague games will begin. Since 2008, these two teams have faced off 27 times in the EuroLeague, with Los Blancos coming out on top 4-22 despite Zalgiris taking the lead in their most recent meeting.
The hosts have dropped four of their last five contests, including their 77-73 loss to Crvena Zvezda on Tuesday. At Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, Keenan Evans led Zalgiris’ losing effort with a spurt of 18 points. Real’s six-game winning streak was broken in Round 12, but the team swiftly resumed its winning ways on Tuesday by defeating Bayern Munich 64-68. With 14 points and 8 rebounds on the night, Walter Tavares was outstanding on defence.
Real currently ranks second in the EuroLeague overall PIR standings (98.8) and also tops the league in total rebounds (38.0) and blocks (4.3). Los Blancos also rank third in the league in assists (19.8) and have the sixth-best offensive (84.1 ppg.). Recently, Zalgiris seems to have hit a snag, thus it will be crucial for it to hunt for stronger shooting choices in order to boost its statistics across the board. Zalgiris always benefits from playing at home because their fans are among the most energetic in the league. Real, meanwhile, is on a double-round week of travel and could arrive in Kaunas feeling a little worn out following a challenging victory in Munich.
Tip: 1 at 3.25
Bayern – Valencia
In Round 14 of the EuroLeague, Bayern Munich (4-9) hosts Valencia Basket (6-7) at the Audi Dome. Bayern and Valencia will meet for the first time in just their fifth meeting in the EuroLeague, with Valencia holding a 1-3 series lead.
Othello Hunter scored 14 points against his previous team as Bayern lost to Real Madrid at home on Tuesday, 64-68. On the other side, Valencia ended Panathinaikos Athens’ winning streak by triumphing at home in overtime on Tuesday, 94-91, with the help of Bojan Dubljevic’s 23 points and 8 rebounds.
In this double-round week, Velancia will attempt to improve to 2-0 by taking on a side with one of the league’s lowest average PIR figures (72.1, 17th) and the highest offensive ranking in the league (73.2 ppg.). Bayern appears to be doing a better job of defending the ball and outperforms the visitors in terms of steals and blocks, suggesting that the hosts’ aggressive defence may be one of the things that prevents them from continuing their two-game losing streak.
Tip: Winning Margin 3-way Any Other Result (1-5 points difference) at 2.65
Asvel Villeurbanne – Olympiacos
Villeurbanne is by far one of the most volatile teams in the EuroLeague so far. The French team has a 5-8 record, and just a few hours ago they knocked Partizan down, 91-87. Coach Parker’s team is averaging 73.7 points per game, while also allowing 78.3. They are also the second-worst team in rebounding (28.5 pg) and assists (13.1 pg). No unexpected injuries have been reported in recent hours, and the home team’s home record is 2-4.
Olympiacos is coming off… terrifying home performances. The Reds crushed injury-hit Fenerbahce 94-67 in the Peace and Friendship Stadium a few hours ago and improved their EuroLeague record to 9-4. The Piraeus team have a 4-2 record on the road, shoots at 38.8% from the 3-point range and hold the best offense in the league (87.3 points on average).
Tip: 1 at 3.20
(All prices correct at 15/12/2022, 09:00 CET, subject to change)
News Source: Euroleague.net
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