Euroleague Basketball Tips
Euro League basketball predictions appear under each mini game preview.
CSKA – Khimki
Two undefeated Moscow rivals square off in another EuroLeague edition of the Leningradka derby, as CSKA hosts Khimki in their first head-to-head clash this season. CSKA has started its EuroLeague title defense with a pair of double-digit victories, and will be intent on keeping up that trend. Khimki has opened EuroLeague action with two wins only for the second time ever, but now goes on the road for the first time this season.
Being the early part of the season, where new players on a team are still getting accustomed, CSKA excellent downtown shooting has worked well in its favor. CSKA has made (29) and attempted (65) more triples than any other team in the competition, and its third-highest 44.6% accuracy has allowed the defending champs to win comfortably in the first two rounds. When an offensively talented team such as CSKA is shooting this well, it is really hard to beat.
Kostas Koufos is still out with foot injury.
Khimki loves to play up-tempo basketball, and certainly has the offensive talent and athleticism to rival any opponent. However, to beat CSKA away from home, Khimki will need to cut down on its turnovers (12.0 per game), choose better long-range shots (32.2% for three-pointers), and – most importantly – make sure it controls its defensive glass. Only one team has allowed more offensive rebounds (15.0 per game) than Khimki so far this season.
Chris Kramer, Egor Vialtsev, Petr Gubanov, Timofey Mozgov and Stefan Jovic are still sidelined with injuries.
Tip: 2 (+6.5) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 17/10/2019, 09:50 CET, could have changed)
Zalgiris – Real Madrid
Zalgiris will be in search of its first win of the season when it welcomes Real Madrid in what will once again be a packed Zalgirio Arena on Thursday. Zalgiris will not only try to win its first game of the season but to also beat Real on its home floor for the first time since 2014 in what has been a pretty one-sided rivalry between them. Real is undefeated, with two wins by a total of 5 points. The visitors will try to open the season with a 3-0 record for the third year in a row.
With its 15.0 turnovers per game, Zalgiris will clearly have to take better care of the ball against a team such as Real which uses those giveaways to run transition for easy baskets. Zalgiris will aim to continue creating second-chance opportunities, as it leads the league with 16.0 offensive rebounds per game. Those offensive rebounds, coupled with fewer turnovers, would allow Zalgiris to control and slow the tempo of the game to its liking.
Having come out victorious of the two close calls at home, Real hits the road for the first time this EuroLeague season hoping to continue what has worked so far. Real has been moving and sharing the ball well, ranking third with 20.5 assists per game, and shooting threes with 41.8% accuracy. Real has also used its impressive experience to finish the games strong, and that is something every coach would like to see his teams do.
Tip: Under 159.5 at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 17/10/2019, 09:50 CET, could have changed)
Fenerbahce – Baskonia
Two EuroLeague powerhouses meet again for the 28th time since the competition started in 2000, making this a classic showdown in the competition. Nando De Colo has been Fenerbahce’s top scorer until now (20.5 ppg.), followed by Derrick Williams (9.5) and Ali Muhammed (8.5). Toko Shengelia (15.5), Pierria Henry (10.0) and Luca Vildoza (10.0) have been Baskonia’s main guns so far.
Fenerbahce has a core of players who have worked together really well for years, led by Kostas Sloukas, Ali Muhammed, Gigi Datome, Nikola Kalinic and Jan Vesely. The hosts need to stop Youssoupha Fall and Michael Eric down low but have enough big guys – with Vesely, Ahmet Duverioglu and Vladimir Stimac – to do so. Fenerbahce will seek to improve its two-point shooting percentage through better ball circulation. Sloukas and Muhammed will have a critical role in order to do that.
Joffrey Lauvergne and Egehan Arna are in the process of recovering from their respective injuries.
Baskonia is last in three-point shooting accuracy despite having some specialists like Matt Janning, Patricio Garino and Vildoza. Having better numbers from downtown will create more space for Shengelia, Fall and Eric to play around the baskets. Baskonia relies on Vildoza and Henry to set the right game tempo, especially when Fall, a potential difference-maker, is on the court.
Luca Vildoza (shoulder) and Nikolas Stauskas (knee) are doubtful against Fenerbahce.
Tip: 2 (+8.5) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 17/10/2019, 09:50 CET, could have changed)
Maccabi – Crvena Zvezda
Two teams representing basketball-crazy countries meet at Menora Mivtachim Arena. Maccabi looks for its first win in its home opener, which adds more anticipation to this showdown. Scottie Wilbekin (15.5 ppg.), Omri Casspi (13.0) and Elijah Bryant (12.5) have led Maccabi so far. James Gist (16.5) is Zvezda’s top scorer, followed by Stratos Perperoglou (13.0) and Billy Baron (9.0).
The battle in the paint will be critical in this game, as both teams have deep, strong frontcourts. Tarik Black and Othello Hunter need to stay out of foul trouble and power the boards, while Quincy Acy will have use his quickness against Gist, one of the most experienced power forwards in the competition. With Casspi back in action, Maccabi has another good option at both forward spots.
Zvezda needs to keep powering the offensive glass, looking for second-chance opportunities to raise its two-point shooting percentage. Gist is ranked second with 6 offensive rebounds per game, but needs more help from Mouhammad Faye and Michael Ojo. The guests look to Dejan Davidovac, Derrick Brown and Perperoglou to provide versatility, especially if Maccabi opts to switch on defense. Baron and Ognjen Dobric will be counted on provide the fireworks from downtown.
Tip: 1 & Both Teams Over 80 points at 4.20 with bet365
(Price correct at 17/10/2019, 09:50 CET, could have changed)
Bayern v Villeurbanne
FC Bayern Munich will be going for its second win of the season as it welcomes undefeated LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Bayern will try to bounce back on its home floor after going down against the defending champions CSKA Moscow last week, while ASVEL will try to take its home-floor mojo to Munich. This will be the first road game for ASVEL this season, after hosting – and beating – Panathinaikos OPAP Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus.
So far this season, Bayern has faced the top two offensive teams from a year ago, AX Armani Exchange Milan and CSKA Moscow. Its defense has held them to 44.3% two-point shooting – second-best in the competition – and a very stingy 28.6% from three-point distance. Bayern will need its frontcourt to maintain its strong inside play on defense, and keep ASVEL’s big men in check.
ASVEL has been relying on its defense and its ability to control the rebounds, and will need to excel in both again. ASVEL is ranked fourth after two weeks with 13.5 offensive boards per game, while Bayern is at the bottom with 8.0 per contest. Getting those extra possessions, but also forcing the opponents to put extra bodies to protect their own glass and hindering their transition, could be of big importance to ASVEL.
Tip: 1 (-8.5) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 17/10/2019, 09:50 CET, could have changed)
Panathinaikos – Milano
Two teams with nine EuroLeague crowns between them meet in a classic showdown. Panathinaikos is undefeated at home and Milan looks for its first road win. DeShaun Thomas (20 ppg., 8.5 rpg.), Nick Calathes (17.5 ppg., 7.5 apg.) and Jimmer Fredette (14.5 ppg.) have been Panathinaikos’s leaders until now. Sergio Rodriguez (15.5 ppg.) is Milan’s top scorer until now, followed by Luis Scola (14.0) and Vladimir Micov (13.0).
Stopping Rodriguez will be critical for the Greens. With Shelvin Mack and Nemanja Nedovic sidelined, Milan runs its offense through him. Calathes and Tyrese Rice must be ready to play hard on defense against Rodriguez and Michael Roll. Thomas needs more help around the baskets, and players like Ian Vougioukas and Georgios Papagiannis will be called on provide it. Getting Fredette involved and finding good shots for him guarantees instant offense, too.
Ian Vougioukas did not practice due to illness and he is expected to miss the game.
It all starts with defensive rebounds for Milan, so Kaleb Tarczewski, Jeff Brooks and Paul Biligha will be ready to power the glass and send Rodriguez into transition. Milan will opt often for a half-court offense in which Scola and Micov play big roles. If Milan is able to control the game pace and only run the floor when it has a clear advantage, it will compete pretty well in a tough court like OAKA.
Shelvin Mack and Nemanja Nedovic are sidelined.
Tip: Over 155.5 at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 17/10/2019, 09:50 CET, could have changed)
News Source: Euroleague.net
Basketball tips: Livetipster
