By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The prognostics for the final week of the group stages are difficult, but with the profitable last week as our guide, Eurohoops offers some betting tips for this week as well.
Panathinaikos are in form and are going to try to defeat Efes so they can claim the group’s second place. The greens are aware that the chances of Lokomotiv Kuban losing to Darussafaka are slim, but, in any case, they are going to go for the away win. However, the point limit for Panathinaikos is rather high for such a game. In a total of eleven away games in the Euroleague, only in the last one against Darussafaka did they score more than 79 points. The Under, then, seems extremely likely.
Real are playing the qualification “final” at home against Khimki, and they have the upper hand. The Madrilenos’ performance hasn’t been very convincing, but in a game like this they are expected to rise to the occasion and impose themselves on the Russian team, who are coming from a great win over Olympiacos but who miss a big part of their dynamism away from home. Real have more experienced players in games such as this and they can win relatively easily.
Barcelona definitely need the win in Kaunas over Zalgiris in order to avoid getting themselves in trouble and secure second place. The Catalans are in form as of late and their only bad game in the past month was the defeat by Laboral. Of course, the blaugrana’s task is not going to be easy, since Zalgiris can fight on their home court. The difference, however, between the two rosters and each team’s talent is expected to be decisive.
Bamberg are after the qualification and Laboral are after the group’s top spot. Both teams are motivated and the score is expected to be high. Besides, the Germans have been conceding 80,8 points in their last four home games and scoring 83,2, significantly raising the total number of points. At the same time, Laboral have been conceding 79,5 points per game in their last games and so the limit of 156,5 points seems like it’s going to be exceeded.
Lokomotiv Kuban want to secure second place and the home court advantage in the playoffs. The Russians might make it before they even play against Darussafaka since they’re hoping Panathinaikos will be defeated by Efes. However, it’s more likely that the greens are going to win in Istanbul and so Kuban will be forced to fight for the win against Darussafaka, also in Istanbul. The handicap is small and Lokomotiv will probably win with a higher difference.
The betting tips
Efes – Panathinaikos Panathinaikos Under 79,5 points
@William Hill 1,85
Bamberg – Laboral Over 156,5 points
@Nesine 1,70
Zalgiris (+7,5) – Barcelona 2
@Bet365 1,76
Real Madrid – Khimki (+5,5) 1
@Stoiximan 1,73
Darussafaka (+2,5) – Kuban 2
@Sportingbet 1,70