By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
In terms of betting, the opening daywent pretty well, with 4 out of 6 confirmed hits, since onboth days Eurohoops got 2 out of 3 choices and, therefore, net profit. A first picture has already started taking shape for all the teams, so from here on out the prognosticsare going to be easier.
Olympiacos are mentally uplifted after their win over Panathinaikos, but if they don’t handle right this result, it can backfire. Efes are in good shape but the game at the Peace & Friendship Stadium is always another story. So it’s better if we bet on the Over, since thanks to the defensive nature of the home team the limit is going to be very low (154,5 points @Bet365 1,90). The score will probably go higher, as on the opening night both teams had 75+ possessions.
Bamberg – UNICS
On the opening night against Fenerbahce, Bamberg proved that they are going to be a serious team this year, one that is going to fight every last game. UNICS managed something similar in Kazan against Barcelona. Neither of the two teams managed to win, but the impressions that they left were definitely positive. The Germans seem like the have a small advantage for the win, but the game is expected to be close and at a low tempo. The 5,5 points of the advantage in favor of the home team make us avoid betting on this game.
Maccabi Tel Aviv – Real Madrid
In the biggest game of the day, Maccabi are hosting Real and they want to get a victory that will give them confidence after the defeat of the opening night in Milano. Weems’s return is expected to help, but it’s certainly unknown whether he can tip the balance. Real are coming off their win over Olympiacos and are going to try to impose their rhythm in Tel Aviv as well in order to make it. The visitors look like they have a small advantage for the win, while the Over for Real’s points is interesting. The limit, though, is set at 88,5 points andis rather high for an away game. Consequently,it’s safer to bet on the Madrilenos’ victory with a difference greater than 3,5 points (@Nesine 1,70).
Darussafaka – Milano
Darussafaka are a new team with great materials but one that is still being built. The upset against Crvena Zvezda was important, but the defeat in overtime by Banvit brought Blatt’s players abruptly back down to earth. Milano imposed themselves on Maccabi in a dramatic way on opening night, but showed that they have many defensive problems. The Turkish team has greater depthand quality on the roster and they will probably manage to prevail with a difference greater than 5,5 points (@Sportingbet 1,83).
Eurohoops’ betting tips
Olympiacos – Efes Over 154,5 points
Maccabi Tel Aviv (+3,5) – Real Madrid 2
Darussafaka – Milano (+5,5) 1