By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
Last weekend was once again extremely successful in terms of our betting advice, with 4 out 5 predictions of this column being confirmed. However, the more interesting games are coming up with the quarterfinals of the Euroleague.
The first game of the playoffs has a clear favorite and CSKA is expected to confirm their title against Panathinaikos. The Moscovites outmatch the greens and they can win with a margin higher than 12 points. Slaughter’s absence is important for Panathinaikos, as accuracy from distance is very important for the visitors if they want to fight the Russians to the end. So, Panathinaikos’s total points is expected to be less than 70. Besides, in the last six away games they scored more than that only against Galatasaray.
Fenerbahce has the home advantage but with that, the pressure to succeed. Maccabi is a ‘sneaky’ team and if they want to do some damage they can do it more easily in the first game. The hadicap of 7,5 points is big and the Israelis can defend it.
Also, in the last few games Real and Efes play at a high pace. Ivkovic will have a hard time restriciting the Spaniards’ tempo and so the score is expected to exceed 158,5 points in total.
Finally, the semifinals of the Adriatic league are getting under way these days and Crvena Zvezda is the big favorite to win the title. Qualification to the finals is determined in three wins and in the first game against Partizan they can get a comfortable win with more than 5,5 points, as the difference in the dynamics of the two teams is big.
The betting tips
CSKA-Panathinaikos (+12,5) 1
@Unibet 1,90
CSKA-Panathinaikos Panathinaikos Under 70,5 points
@William Hill 1,85
Fenerbahce–Maccabi (+7,5) 2
@Ladbrokes 1,85
Crvena Zvezda-Partizan (+5,5) 1
@SBO Bet 1,88
Real M.-Efes Over 158,5 points
@Bet365 1,90