By Lefteris Moutis / moutis@eurohoops.net
Three rounds are left for the end of the Top 16 and things are clear enough for someone to find betting opportunities. Eurohoops.net is coming from a week of games that generated a profit and we would like to continue accordingly.
Olympiacos are hosting Real in the first of three “finals” for qualification to the quarterfinals. And they are definitely going to rely on their defense. On average, the “red-and-whites” concede 64 points at the Peace & Friendship Stadium, but Real definitely have more talent and play with more possessions than the usual teams that have been hosted by Olympiacos. However, the limit of 78 points is rather high for the “queen,” since only Efes (in the indifferent game of the last week of the regular period) have scored more points (81).
Panathinaikos want the win against Darussafaka in order to come closer to qualification and stay alive in the pursuit for the home court advantage. The Turks are uninterested in terms of points, but they fight every game to the end. They have a quality roster but it’s going to be hard for them to be threatening against the “greens,” who are in form lately. The handicap is small and they will probably exceed it.
Bamberg are very strong at home, but they’re hosting CSKA, the best offense in the Euroleague with 91,8 points on average. The only team that didn’t have any problem winning in the German city was CSKA, who won 100-88 during the regular period. The limit for the Muscovites is set at 86,5 points and the Over is definitely worth it despite the good and well adapted defense that Andrea Trinchieri’s players usually present. In the last 16 games in the Euroleague CSKA hasn’t scored more points only once (in the heavy defeat by Laboral). So, isn’t the Over worth it?
Khimki need the win over Zalgiris to stay alive in the fight for qualification to the next stage. Dusko Ivanovic hasn’t had enough time to put his mark on the team and the only two wins in the last nine games in all competitions are not an encouraging sign for Khimki. On the other side, though, Zalgiris are out of the running mathematically too, they are not in form and can be defeated with a difference higher than 5,5 points.
Fenerbahce are going to play without Vesely for the first time in the Euroleague and Zeljko Obradovic is going to have to adjust their game accordingly so his teammates can learn to play without him. Away from home, Fenerbahce doesn’t score enough (they have 76 points on average) and they have exceeded the limit of 82,5 points just three times in a total of ten away games.
Eurohoops’ tips
Darussafaka (+4) – Panathinaikos 2
@Bet365 1,90
Bamberg – CSKA Moscow CSKA Moscow Over 86,5 points
@Stoiximan 1,83
Zalgiris (+5) – Khimki 2
@Unibet 1,88
Cedevita – Fenerbahce Fenerbahce Under 83,5 points
@William Hill 1,85
Olympiacos – Real Madrid Real Madrid Under 78,5 points
@Coral 1,80