Euroleague Tips with Previews – Round 11 – Thursday

This showdown is between the last two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions. Both teams are on five-game winning streaks, which adds even more anticipation to this exciting showdown. Mike James (18.6 ppg.) has been CSKA’s top scorer until now, followed by Will Clyburn (16.4 ppg.) and Darrun Hilliard (11.1 ppg.). Real is currently led by Walter Tavares (10.3 ppg., 6.0 rpg.), Trey Thompkins (10.9 ppg.) and Sergio Llull (10.1 ppg.). Expect a top-class game between the two winningest teams in competition history.

CSKA has scored 84 points or more in each win in its current streak. That has allowed the Russian powerhouse to lead the EuroLeague standings at 83.0 points per game. It all starts with strong defense, a high rhythm, and players like Joel Bolomboy, Nikita Kurbanov and Daniel Hackett bringing intensity at both ends. CSKA is expected to keep running its offense through James, Clyburn and Milutinov, but has a lot of talented players to involve in the offense if it becomes a defensive slugfest.

Nico Laprovittola, Carlos Alocen and Sergio Llull are expected to share the point guard duties from now on. Real has a size advantage in the paint with tall, experienced players such as Tavares, Thompkins and Anthony Randolph. If Jeffery Taylor remains sidelined, Rudy Fernandez and Alberto Abalde will have the tough mission to guard Clyburn. Real must prevent CSKA from circulating the ball well, getting Milutinov involved and as always, must lock down the defensive glass to get its trademark transition offense going.

Fabien Causeur tested positive for COVID-19 and has not played since Round 2.

After a great start, Zalgiris is on a four-game losing streak and hopes to bounce back right away. Marius Grigonis, Thomas Walkup, Joffrey Lauvergne and sixth-man Lukas Lekavicius have led the Lithuanian champs so far this season. Billy Baron, Kevin Pangos, Arturas Gudaitis and Will Thomas have been Zenit’s pillars. With two masterminds like Martin Schiller and Xavi Pascual on the respective benches, expect a first-class tactical battle at Zalgirio Arena.

Zalgiris has allowed 85 points or more in each of its games on its current losing streak. Improving its defense is mandatory to be more competitive. Collapsing the paint to contain Gudaitis or Thomas and cutting down on turnovers, which would allow Zenit to get points in transition, are keys. Zalgiris must speed up the game tempo with Walkup and Lekavicius, making the most of its mobile big men, Lauvergne and Augustine Rubit, in transition.

Zalgiris swingman Patricio Garino will be out of action until December after a knee operation.

Zenit is a very tactical, five-on-five offense team with excellent ball circulation, always looking for good shots without rushing them. They have a lot of versatility at forward with Thomas and Alex Poythress and reliable shooters in Baron and Rivers. KC Rivers and Gudaitis have played for Zalgiris in the past and their extra motivation will be a plus for Coach Pascual’s team. If Pangos and Dmitry Khvostov can control the game tempo and slow it down, Zenit is expected to have more chances to win.

In a clash of two teams near the bottom of the standings that split their games last week, ALBA Berlin hosts Khimki Moscow Region on Thursday. ALBA boasts a balanced attack so even without injured sharpshooter Marcus Eriksson, it has seven more players averaging at least 7 points. Khimki features six players averaging double figures in scoring led by Alexey Shved (18.0 ppg., 8.6 apg.) and Devin Booker (16.2 ppg., 8.4 rpg.).

ALBA is undefeated this season when it has scored at least 75 points, and it has now held its opponents to that number in three games in a row. What’s more, Khimki has allowed more points (85.6 ppg.) than any teams in the league. With Peyton Siva back at point guard, ALBA is close to full strength, though it is missing an important perimeter threat in the injured Marcus Eriksson. If Niels Giffey and co. can pick up the slack from behind the three-point line and the ALBA offense gets going, it can challenge for its second win.

ALBA will be without shooting guard Marcus Eriksson and forward Lorenz Brenneke for the next few weeks due to ankle injuries.

Despite the presence of a strong and deep frontline with Devin Booker, Jonas Jerebko, Jordan Mickey and Greg Monroe, Khimki has been outrebounded this season and is only converting 51.3% of its two-point shots, which is in the bottom fourth of the league. The talent is there for Khimki to dominate inside and controlling the paint in Berlin could put it in position for a second consecutive road win.

Stefan Jovic has not played yet this season due to an ankle injury. Devin Booker has not played since Round 5.

Olympiacos Piraeus hosts TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz on Thursday. While Baskonia captured two victories during the two rounds played last week, Olympiacos was forced to the sidelines due to quarantine restrictions and missed its last two scheduled games. How quickly it can regain its form will be critical to this game.

Olympiacos will be both well-rested and potentially rusty after more than a week at home. How quickly it can find its footing in the game will be key. Without a single player averaging double figures in points, Olympiacos relies heavily on teamwork and depth. Its high-energy players such as Shaquielle McKissic, Kostas Papanikolaou and Charles Jenkins could be more important than ever versus Baskonia.

Baskonia is third in the league in rebounding (35.3 rpg.) and has outrebounded its opponents in all four of its wins this season. Between the height of Youssoupha Fall, the activity of Achille Polonara, the power of Tonye Jekiri and the assistance from the backcourt of Henry and Tadas Sedekerskis, Baskonia has the tools to deal with Olympiacos’s tough big guys. Controlling the glass and getting out in transition could set the stage for Baskonia first road win of the season.