Euroleague Basketball Predictions
Euro League basketball tips appear under each mini game preview.
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CSKA Moscow – Baskonia
Two teams in different dynamics will clash on Thursday when CSKA Moscow welcomes TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. After a slow start, CSKA has won its last two games, including a road success last week at Panathinaikos OPAP Athens. On the other side, Baskonia has dropped its last two, including last week at home against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Baskonia will be facing four players who wore the Basque team’s jersey in the past: Mike James, Johannes Voigtmann, Darrun Hilliard and Toko Shengelia, the latter of whom will be facing his former team for the first time.
Going into the game, CSKA has momentum on its side. However, the numbers say that Baskonia is not an opponent to be taken for granted. The visitors outperform CSKA in assists and steals, while the shooting percentages between both teams live in similar places. The trio formed by Rokas Giedraitis, Luca Vildoza and Pierria Henry should probably be the main focus of the CSKA defense, while on offense, the hosts should watch out for the league-best 8.6 steals that Baskonia is averaging per game.
After a good start, Baskonia has dropped two games in a row and will look to get back on the winning track as soon as possible. A trip to the reigning champs might not be the best place to do that, but Baskonia has many things going for them entering this game. All signs point ti the game coming down to the small details. The visitors will depend on their hunger to get back on track and they will have to watch closely former friends such as James and Shengelia.
Tip: 2 (+6.5) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 12/11/2020, 10:20 CET, subject to change)
Olympiacos – ALBA Berlin
Olympiacos Piraeus will look to build on last week’s road win when it takes on ALBA Berlin on Thursday. The Reds rode a balanced attack to beat Zenit 66-75 in St Petersburg with Hassan Martin leading the way with 16 points on perfect shooting. ALBA returned to action last week after missing two games, but was felled by league-leading FC Barcelona 67-103. Among the bright spots were Simone Fontecchio scoring 17 points and Luke Sikma posting 10 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
Olympiacos is overloaded in the frontcourt with Georgios Printezis, Livio Jean-Charles, Hassan Martin and Octavius Ellis. That foursome has continued greatly to the team’s strong two-point shooting numbers (57.1%) and it being fourth in the league in blocked shots (3.1 bpg.). However, Olympiacos ranks near the bottom in rebounds (31.4 rpg.). If they can lock down the boards against ALBA, it could pave the way to a strong result.
Health and defense. That is what ALBA needs most to challenge Olympiacos. A full roster at Coach Aito Reneses Garcia’s disposal makes the team much more dangerous. ALBA’s strengths are on the offensive end of the floor, while on defense the team’s 90.8 points allowed per game is worst in the league. The likes of Ben Lammers inside and Maodo Lo on the perimeter could be the players to lead that change.
ALBA returned to action last week after not playing its games in Rounds 5 and 6 due to positive COVID-19 tests.
Tip: Over 162.5 at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 12/11/2020, 10:20 CET, subject to change)
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Maccabi – Zalgiris
In a clash of teams looking to bounce back from Round 7 losses, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv hosts Zalgiris Kaunas on Thursday. Maccabi comes off a 91-89 loss at Anadolu Efes Istanbul, which was its third loss this season by 3 points or less. The Israeli champs are only 1-2 at home this season and will face another tough road opponent in Zalgiris, which is undefeated in four games outside of Lithuania this season. Last week Zalgiris came up short 90-93 at home against Real Madrid.
After a season in which Maccabi’s defense was among the best in the league, this season it has allowed the fourth-most points (81.7 ppg.) in the league. One way to impose its will on this game is through rebounding; Maccabi’s 36.9 rebounds per game are second-most in the league – as is its 12.0 offensive rebounds per game, while Zalgiris is near the bottom with 29.6 rebounds per game. Improved defense and domination on the glass could be the recipe for a critical victory.
Lithuanian basketball is well-known for great shooting and this season Zalgiris is taking that to another level by making a league-best 42.6% of three-pointers and 92.0% of free throws. What’s more, its 11.7 turnovers per game are third-fewest in the EuroLeague. Great shooting, taking care of the ball and a strong mentality to win on the road all put Zalgiris in a good spot entering this game. Focus for 40 minutes against a Maccabi team led by Scottie Wilbekin that can score in bunches is another key thing needed to leave Tel Aviv victorious.
Zalgiris swingman Patricio Garino will be out of action until December after a knee operation.
Tip: 2 (+3.0) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 12/11/2020, 10:20 CET, subject to change)
Barcelona – Fenerbahce
Two teams on the rise will meet in Round 8 as league-leader FC Barcelona welcomes Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on Thursday. Barcelona is on a five-game winning streak, including a road victory last week at ALBA Berlin. Fenerbahce comes off a victory over Khimki Moscow Region and has now won its last two games after a three-game losing streak.
Barcelona seems to be getting up to speed fast with the plan the club had for the season. The team is already leading the standings and is among the top three scoring teams (81.1 ppg.) and tops the charts in assists (20.0 apg.) and average PIR (93.1), too. In just a few words: everything seems to be clicking for Barca. With Fenerbahce’s star guard Nando De Colo sidelined for this game, the Barcelona defense can turn its attention to Lorenzo brown to disrupt the visitors’ rhythm.
After back-to-back wins, Fenerbahce again has a winning record and will look to increase that in Barcelona. The visitors face a fearsome roster led by Nikola Mirotic, Brandon Davies and Cory Higgins. Fener has the second-best numbers in the league from beyond the arc (41.6%), but in two-point shots (49.1%), they are among the poorest while Barca has the best in the league. The visitors will have to watch Barca’s big men closely and try to look for good shooting options inside themselves if they want to have solid chances for the win.
De Colo will be sidelined for the next three to four weeks due to a calf muscle injury. Danilo Barthel has missed the last two games due to a back injury.
Tip: 2 (-7.5) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 12/11/2020, 10:20 CET, subject to change)
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