By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
It’s always hard to predict results for opening nights. Even more so with the new Euroleague and its 30 game days. Eurohoops analyzes the first four games and recommends.
The rationale of this year’s betting analysis is going to be different so the reader will have the opportunity to read in detail the thoughts on every game and make a choice.
On the opening night of this season Real are hosting Olympiacos in a game that tends to become a classic. In theory, the Madrilenos are more prepared since they have played three official games with strong opponents (99-93 defeat against Barcelona in the Supercopa, wins in the championship against Malaga with 101-90 and Valencia with 94-75) and also defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in between. Olympiacos have only taken… walks in the park, defeating Kolossos by 51 points and Koroivos by 22. Of course, the Euroleague is… another story.
Real are rendered as the favorites with a handicap of 6,5-7,5 points. Theoretically, they do have the upper hand for the victory but it’s not worth messing with the handicap. On the contrary, the over at 164 points looks rather attractive. The score of the Spanish champions is very high, Olympiacos will find it hard to drive it down in Madrid and the over seems quite possible (@OPAP 1,75).
Galatasaray return to the Euroleague after winning the Eurocup and the atmosphere in the arena is going to be hot. However, CSKA are definitely not a team that can be intimidated by something like that.
The Turkish team doesn’t look like it has found a rhythm at the start of the season. They have a lot of newcomers and Ataman doesn’t have roles yet. In the championship they comfortably beat Balikesir by 20 points, but the 24 turnovers and 13 steals by the visitors are definitely a worrying factor.
The European champions have the quality and the character to win by more than 6,5 points (@Stoiximan 1,87).
This game is a battle between two teams that want to show they’ve left behind last season having learned… their lesson. Milano decided to surround Gentile with players that are more experienced in European basketball, while Maccabi also chose several players who have a noteworthy career in the Euroleague (Goudelock, Weems, Zirbes, etc.). The level of chemistry of both teams is not at the desired point. Neither team is very convincing. So, it’s probably better you avoid betting on this game.
Crvena Zvezda – Darussafaka
Crvena Zvezda are always strong at home since they have few defeats in front of their fans in the last three years. However, based on their roster, it looks like they have a less competitive team this year. In the Adriatic league, of course, they are doing splendidly, but in the Euroleague things are going to be tough against the most upgraded team of the season based on signings. Darussafaka have the material to prevail in Belgrade’s Pionir Hall. The 3-point advantage (@BET365 1,90) seems small for David Blatt’s players not to exceed it.
The betting tips
Real – Olympiacos Over 164 points
Galatasaray (+6,5) – CSKA Moscow 2
Crvena Zvezda (+3) – Darussafaka 2