The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season reaches its midway point with a flurry of festive fixtures, including two powerhouses going head to head to break their tie for joint second place.
Thursday’s matches
The action starts in Istanbul, where Anadolu Efes (7-7) will seek to maintain its place in the top half of the standings against one of five teams currently sharing second place, Real Madrid (9-5). The Spanish team has lost three consecutive games on the road but still boasts the highest index rating of all teams (103.07 per game), while Efes ranks third in that category (95.36 per game). Both teams possess excellent rebounding skills, with Madrid ranked second in the league in overall rebounds (37.14 per game) and Efes claiming more offensive boards than anyone else (14.21 per game). It might not be as easy as the odds suggest for the visitors, so try to find an alternative on the margin or points bets. For us it’s a no bet.
After seeing a six-game winning run come to an end, CSKA Moscow (10-2) will try to bounce back at Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (6-8). Zvezda’s last two home games have seen it defeat the champions from 2014 (Maccabi) and 2015 (Madrid), and the Serbian team will now aim to overcome last season’s winners on the back of its defense, which has seen it claim more steals than any other team (8.0 per game). CSKA is the league’s top scorer with an average of 89.92 points per game, but was held to a season-low 75 points (in regulation time) in last week’s loss. What about another upset for CSKA here? At 3.80 we take the risk with a home win.
A big battle is guaranteed in Piraeus, where the tie for joint-second place will be broken as Olympiacos (9-5) hosts Fenerbahce Istanbul (9-5). One factor in favour of the visitor is long-range shooting, with Fenerbahce boasting the league’s third-best three-point conversion rate (40.36%), whereas Olympiacos is ranked third-worst (33.93%). But the host will look to exploit a different area of dominance, enjoying a clear advantage in rebounding (36.93 per game against 32.93). There is no Printezis for the hosts and no Bogdanovic for the visitors, so the total scoring might stay under 151.5 which is priced at 1.90 as always.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (4-10) will attempt to end the league’s longest losing run, seven games, with the visit of Zalgiris Kaunas (5-9). Milan has struggled to even get close to winning in recent weeks, losing four of its last five games by at least 14 points, and has allowed more points than any other team (87.64 per game). That will give encouragement to Zalgiris’s productive offense, which has scored at least 84 points in each of its last five road games partly thanks to the competition’s best free throw conversion rate (82.61%). No bet here.
Thursday’s final tip-off is the Game of the Week as Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz (9-5) welcomes Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv (5-9), which will be led by its fourth head coach this season. Baskonia is the league’s best rebounding team (38.36 per game) and has won five straight at home. In contrast, Maccabi has lost five in a row after allowing leads of 18 and 19 points to slip in its last two games. Ball handling could be crucial – only Maccabi (15.14 per game) has committed more turnovers than Baskonia (14.29 per game). I fancy Maccabi when they are offered as underdogs and our pick goes to the away win with a handicap of +5.0 points at 1.90.
Friday’s matches
On Friday, Unics Kazan (5-9) will seek its third straight win with the visit of another in-form side, Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens (9-5). Even if the Greek giants prevails, it’s unlikely to be easy: the Russian side has won three of its last five home games, and the two losses were both by just one point. Panathinaikos now possesses the best defense in the competition, allowing just 73 points per game, but Unics has the league’s third-best true shooting percentage (50.27%). Pantahinaikos has the upper hand here and despite expecting a tight game, the visitor’s form suggests an away win. We’ll take the risk with the -2.0 points handicap at 1.90 with bet365.
Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul (4-10) will attempt to climb off the foot of the standings by climbing level with visiting Brose Bamberg (5-9). What happens when Bamberg misses shots could be crucial: the German team is the league’s worst offensive rebounding team (6.79 per game), while Galatasaray has the lowest number of defensive boards (21.71 per game). But shooting accuracy is in Bamberg’s favour, with a true shooting percentage of 51.48% against the host’s 46.71%. This should be a close encounter and is a tricky one. Bamberg can surely win again but they love… thrillers so we will back the home team with a handicap of +2.5 points.
And finally, two teams will aim to maintain their recent improvement as FC Barcelona Lassa (6-8) welcomes Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul (8-6). In what is likely to be a close game, a key question could be which team manages to improve its shooting accuracy: Darussafaka has the league’s lowest two-point conversion rate (48.31%), while Barcelona is only slightly better at 50.10%. The teams also rank low down in assist-turnover ratio – Barcelona is 12th with 125%, while Darussafaka is 13th with 119.64%. Barcelona has based their wins on the defense and it is more than probable they will concentrate to keep Darussafaka to a low score. This could lead to an Under 150.5 game, priced at 1.90 with bet365.
Source: euroleague.net
Tips: livetipster.com
Daily Basketball Picks
| Date | League | Event | Pick | Odds | Bet | +/- | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/12/2023 | NBA | BOS Celtics - PHI 76ers | Over 222.5 | 1.90 | 2000 | Pre | |
| 30/11/2023 | NBA | CHI Bulls - MIL Bucks | 2 (-7.5) | 1.90 | 1000 | -1000 | Pre |
| 30/11/2023 | EL | Monaco - Olympiacos | Under 156.5 | 1.90 | 400 | -400 | Pre |
| 29/11/2023 | NBA | TOR Raptors - PHX Suns | Over 222.5 | 1.90 | 200 | -200 | Pre |
| 28/11/2023 | NBA | MIA Heat - MIL Bucks | 1 (+3.0) | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 27/11/2023 | NBA | UTA Jazz - NO Pelicans | 1 (+4.0) | 1.90 | 200 | +180 | Pre |
| 26/11/2023 | NBA | MIL Bucks - POR Trail Blazers | 1 (-12.5) | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 25/11/2023 | NBA | UTA Jazz - NO Pelicans | 1 | 2.00 | 200 | +200 | Pre |
| 24/11/2023 | EL | Efes - Partizan | 2 (+3.0) | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 23/11/2023 | EL | Panathinaikos - Valencia | Home Over 81.5 | 2.17 | 2000 | +2340 | Pre |
| 22/11/2023 | NBA | BOS Celtics - MIL Bucks | Over 235.5 | 1.90 | 1000 | -1000 | Pre |
| 21/11/2023 | NBA | LA Lakers - UTA Jazz | 2 (+8.5) | 1.90 | 400 | -400 | Pre |
| 20/11/2023 | NBA | CHI Bulls - MIA Heat | 1 (+1.5) | 1.90 | 200 | -200 | Pre |
| 19/11/2023 | NBA | CLE Cavaliers - DEN Nuggets | 2 (-2.5) | 1.95 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 18/11/2023 | NBA | MIL Bucks - DAL Mavericks | Over 242.5 | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 17/11/2023 | NBA | CLE Cavaliers - DET Pistons | 2 (+8.5) | 1.95 | 2000 | +1900 | Pre |
| 16/11/2023 | EL | Maccabi - Fenerbahce | Over 160.5 | 1.90 | 1000 | -1000 | Pre |
| 15/11/2023 | EL | Panathinaikos - Zalgiris | 1 & Over 150.5 | 1.90 | 400 | -400 | Pre |
| 14/11/2023 | EL | Valencia - Real Madrid | Over 157.5 | 1.90 | 200 | -200 | Pre |
| 13/11/2023 | NBA | MIL Bucks - CHI Bulls | Over 229.0 | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 12/11/2023 | NBA | LA Clippers - MEM Grizzlies | 2 (+8.5) | 1.95 | 200 | +190 | Pre |
| 11/11/2023 | NBA | ORL Magic - MIL Bucks | 2 (-3.0) | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 10/11/2023 | EL | ALBA - Panathinaikos | 2 (-3.5) | 1.95 | 400 | +380 | Pre |
| 09/11/2023 | EL | Partizan - Fenerbahce | 1 (-6.5) | 2.20 | 200 | -200 | Pre |
| 08/11/2023 | EC | Turk Telekom - Gran Canaria | Over 160.5 | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 07/11/2023 | EC | Venezia - Cedevita | 2 (+8.5) | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 06/11/2023 | NBA | DET Pistons - GS Warriors | 2 (-6.0) | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 05/11/2023 | NBA | DET Pistons - PHX Suns | 2 (-5.5) | 1.90 | 200 | +180 | Pre |
| 04/11/2023 | NBA | PHI 76ers - PHX Suns | Over 220.5 | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 03/11/2023 | EL | Virtus Bologna - Efes | 1 (-2.5) | 1.90 | 200 | +180 | Pre |
| 02/11/2023 | EL | Fenerbahce - Olympiacos | 1 (-4.5) | 1.95 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 31/10/2023 | EL | Milano - Maccabi | 2 (+5.5) | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 30/10/2023 | GRE - A1 | Olympiacos - Panathinaikos | 2 (+7.5) | 1.90 | 200 | +180 | Pre |
| 29/10/2023 | GRE - A1 | Lavrio - PAOK | Under 157.5 | 1.94 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 28/10/2023 | GRE - A1 | Marousi - Karditsa | 1 (-4.5) | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 27/10/2023 | EL | Bayern - Fenerbahce | Under 159.5 | 1.90 | 200 | +180 | Pre |
| 26/10/2023 | EL | Real Madrid - Barcelona | Over 166.5 | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 25/10/2023 | EC | Slask - Aris Salonika | 2 (-2.5) | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 24/10/2023 | BCL | Darussafaka - Tenerife | 1 (+4.5) | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 23/10/2023 | GRE - A1 | Panathinaikos - Lavrio | Over 158.5 | 1.95 | 1000 | +950 | Pre |
| 22/10/2023 | SPA - ACB | Baskonia - Malaga | 1 (-4.5) | 1.98 | 400 | -400 | Pre |
| 21/10/2023 | SPA - ACB | Joventut - Andorra | 1 (-7.5) | 1.90 | 200 | -200 | Pre |
| 20/10/2023 | EL | Barca - Bayern | 2 (+8.5) | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 19/10/2023 | EL | Olympiacos - Partizan | 2 (+6.5) | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 18/10/2023 | EL | Virtus Bologna - Alba Berlin | 1 (-8.5) | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 17/10/2023 | EL | Milano - Olympiacos | 1 | 1.78 | 1000 | +780 | Pre |
| 15/10/2023 | ITA - A | Varese - Tortona | Over 169.5 | 1.95 | 400 | -400 | Pre |
| 14/10/2023 | ITA - A | Milano - Reggio Emilia | Under 155.5 | 1.90 | 1000 | +900 | Pre |
| 13/10/2023 | EL | Olympiacos - Barcelona | 2 | 2.20 | 2000 | +2400 | Pre |
| 12/10/2023 | EL | Alba Berlin - Baskonia | Under 167.5 | 2.00 | 1000 | -1000 | Pre |
| 11/10/2023 | EC | Gran Canaria - Ulm | 1 (-8.5) | 1.95 | 3000 | +2850 | Pre |
| 10/10/2023 | EC | Lietkabelis - Aris | 2 (+4.5) | 1.95 | 2000 | -2000 | Pre |
| 09/10/2023 | GRE - A1 | Panathinaikos - Aris | Over 160.5 | 1.91 | 1400 | -1400 | Pre |
| 08/10/2023 | GRE - A1 | Aris - Olympiacos | 1 (+18.5) | 1.95 | 2000 | +1900 | Pre |
| 07/10/2023 | SPA - ACB | Tenerife - Breogan | Under 157.5 | 1.87 | 1700 | -1700 | Pre |
| 06/10/2023 | EL | Panathinaikos - Olympiacos | Under 154.5 | 1.91 | 1000 | -1000 | Pre |
| 05/10/2023 | EL | Maccabi - Partizan | 2 (+4.5) | 1.85 | 400 | -400 | Pre |
| 04/10/2023 | EC | Aris - Gran Canaria | 1 (+6.5) | 1.95 | 200 | -200 | Pre |
| 01/10/2023 | SPA - ACB | Real Madrid - Barca | Over 166.5 | 1.95 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 30/09/2023 | GRE - SC | Olympiacos - Panathinaikos | Under 157.5 | 1.93 | 200 | +186 | Pre |
| 29/09/2023 | GRE - SC | Peristeri - Olympiacos | 1 (+13.5) | 1.93 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 28/09/2023 | SPA - ACB | Joventut - Granada | 2 (+11.5) | 1.90 | 500 | +450 | Pre |
| 27/09/2023 | SPA - ACB | Murcia - Baskonia | 1 (+4.5) | 2.00 | 2000 | +2000 | Pre |
| 26/09/2023 | FRA - PRO | Monaco - Saint-Quenin | 1 (-19.5) | 2.05 | 1000 | -1000 | Pre |
| 24/09/2023 | SPA - ACB | Gran Canaria - Manresa | 2 (+8.5) | 1.95 | 2000 | +1900 | Pre |
| 23/09/2023 | ITA - SC | Milano - Virtus Bologna | Over 154.5 | 1.80 | 1500 | -1500 | Pre |
| 19/09/2023 | WNBA | DAL Wings - ATL Dream | Under 170.5 | 1.90 | 900 | -900 | Pre |
| 18/09/2023 | FRA - Cup | Pont de Cheruy - Antibes | 2 (-11.5) | 1.90 | 300 | -300 | Pre |
| 17/09/2023 | WNBA | LV Aces - CHI Sky | Over 170.5 | 1.90 | 200 | -200 | Pre |
| 13/09/2023 | WNBA | LV Aces - CHI Sky | Over 170.5 | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 10/09/2023 | WC 2023 | Germany - Serbia | Over 42.5 Total Fouls | 1.85 | 200 | +170 | Pre |
| 09/09/2023 | WC 2023 | Latvia - Lithuania | Over 173.5 | 1.95 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 08/09/2023 | WC 2023 | Serbia - Canada | 1 (+4.5) | 1.90 | 400 | +360 | Pre |
| 07/09/2023 | WC 2023 | Italy - Latvia | 1 | 1.90 | 150 | -150 | Pre |
| 06/09/2023 | WC 2023 | Canada - Slovenia | Under 176.5 | 1.95 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 05/09/2023 | WC 2023 | Italy - USA | Under 178.5 | 1.95 | 100 | +95 | Pre |
| 03/09/2023 | WC 2023 | Spain - Canada | Over 168.5 | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 02/09/2023 | WC 2023 | Jordan - Mexico | 2 (-5.5) | 2.00 | 100 | +100 | Pre |
| 01/09/2023 | WC 2023 | Lithuania - Greece | 1 (-7.5) | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 31/08/2023 | WC 2023 | Egypt - Jordan | 1 | 1.95 | 400 | +380 | Pre |
| 30/08/2023 | WC 2023 | USA - Jordan | Over 185.5 | 1.90 | 200 | -200 | Pre |
| 29/08/2023 | WC 2023 | Montenegro - Lithuania | 1 (+5.5) | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 28/08/2023 | WC 2023 | Brazil - Spain | Over 162.5 | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 27/08/2023 | WC 2023 | Italy - Dominican Rep. | 2 (+5.5) | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 26/08/2023 | WC 2023 | USA - New Zealand | 2 (+36.5) | 1.90 | 1000 | +900 | Pre |
| 25/08/2023 | WC 2023 | Canada - France | Over 167.5 | 1.95 | 400 | -400 | Pre |
| 20/08/2023 | OG - Q | Turkey - Croatia | Over 167.5 | 1.90 | 200 | -200 | Pre |
| 18/08/2023 | OG - Q | Croatia - Ukraine | Over 159.5 | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 17/08/2023 | OG - Q | Chile - Colombia | Under 148.5 | 1.90 | 400 | +360 | Pre |
| 16/08/2023 | OG - Q | Portugal - Poland | Over 152.5 | 1.90 | 200 | -200 | Pre |
| 15/08/2023 | OG - Q | Bulgaria - Iceland | 1 (+4.5) | 1.95 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 14/08/2023 | OG - Q | Sweden - Croatia | Over 155.5 | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
| 13/08/2023 | WNBA | WAS Mystics - CHI Sky | Under 159.5 | 1.95 | 200 | +190 | Pre |
| 08/08/2023 | WNBA | CHI Sky - MIN Lynx | 1 (-3.5) | 1.95 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 04/08/2023 | WNBA | IND Fever - CON Sun | 2 (-7.5) | 1.90 | 200 | +180 | Pre |
| 02/08/2023 | WNBA | SEA Storm - DAL Wings | Over 168.5 | 1.90 | 100 | -100 | Pre |
| 01/08/2023 | WNBA | IND Fever - PHX Mercury | Under 160.5 | 1.90 | 100 | +90 | Pre |
