Euroleague Basketball Tips
Euro League basketball predictions appear under each mini game preview.
Zalgiris – Villeurbanne
Zalgiris will try to use home support to keep its momentum going when it hosts ASVEL on Friday. After opening the seasons with a pair of losses, Zalgiris bounced back with a 13-point victory over Real Madrid a week ago and now will be looking to build on it with the French champions in town. ASVEL, however, is coming off its worst EuroLeague loss this century, a 41-point drubbing to the hands of FC Bayern Munich, and will surely want to leave a better road impression this time around.
Sometimes it seems so simple, but cutting down on turnovers while sharing the ball on offense did wonders for Zalgiris last week. After dishing 23 combined assists in two losses to open the season, Zalgiris had 22 assists in a win against Real. In that same game, Zalgiris committed just 8 turnovers, a massive improvement after averaging 15.0 in the first two games. The same will be a recipe in this one for Coach Jasikevicius’ side with ASVEL in town.
After getting blown out last week in Munich, it is going back to basics for ASVEL. Which means, solidifying the defense, taking care of the ball and getting after the rebounds. ASVEL averaged 13.5 offensive boards in two home wins to start the season, but then just managed 6 total offensive boards against Bayern. In part, that was due to 18 turnovers. It is close to impossible to win on the road with those numbers, and ASVEL will have to make sure it takes care of the ball and control the boards to get a chance to grab its third win in four games.
Tip: 2 (+9.5) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 25/10/2019, 09:45 CET, could have changed)
ALBA Berlin – CSKA Moscow
There could be offensive fireworks in the German capital when ALBA welcomes CSKA on Friday. The two teams enter this contest as the EuroLeague’s scoring co-leaders, each averaging 91.3 points. ALBA also dishes 24.0 assists, and has scored at least 84 points in each of its three games so far, but will probably need an offensive tool it has as it now faces a perennial offensive juggernaut in the undefeated reigning champions CSKA.
Even though it is facing a high-scoring offense like CSKA’s, there no other way for ALBA than to stay true to itself. ALBA needs to keep moving the ball, keep running in transition, and keep taking the open looks it is getting. That’s what has made ALBA so dangerous, and even though CSKA is a team able to punish even the slightest mistakes, there should be no stepping away from the style of play that got ALBA where it is today.
It is not often that CSKA faces a team that is able to outscore them in a shootout, but this will be one of those occasions. So, CSKA will need to continue to protect the ball, as it ranks second best with just 93 turnovers per game, and continue to do the job on the offensive glass where CSKA is pulling down 14.0 rebounds, third best in the league.
Tip: Over 171.0 at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 25/10/2019, 09:45 CET, could have changed)
Milano – Fenerbahce
Milan will try to extend one streak and snap another when it hosts Fenerbahce on Friday. Milan is on a two-game winning streak after losing a season opener, and will try to make it three in a row this season. On the other hand, Fenerbahce has lost both of its first two road games this season, and after finally getting its first win of the season on home floor, not it hopes to open its account away from home, as well.
Milan has been going down low quite a lot in the first three games, but not always with great percentages as the team has the third-lowest two-point accuracy (45.1%). Milan makes up for some of it in offensive rebounding, however, Fenerbahce is one of the best teams allowing the fourth-fewest offensive boards (9.3 per game). It will be a big battle inside, and it will be important for Milan to control it.
Fenerbahce had a slower start to the season, especially from the offensive standpoint, but the indications are that Coach Obradovic men have been improving, and will want to continue that trend in Milan. What Fenerbahce will need to going into another road game is to keep a high energy level on defense. In addition, Fenerbahce has been good at forcing turnovers this season, and running in transition would be a perfect recipe to ease the pressure off the half-court offense until it starts clicking again.
Tip: 1 (+4.5) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 25/10/2019, 09:45 CET, could have changed)
Baskonia – Olympiacos
Baskonia plays its first game at home after three consecutive showdowns on the road, and in it will face a familiar opponent – Olympiacos and Baskonia are set to face each other for the 39th time since the turn of the Millenium. The Reds come off an overtime home loss against Zenit St Petersburg and will look to bounce back right away. Expect a noisy, spectacular basketball atmosphere in what will be the first EuroLeague game in Buesa Arena since 2019 Final Four, and the first EuroLeague home game for Baskonia since April 26.
Baskonia is struggling from beyond the arc (27.9%) and from the free-throw line (62.1%), ranking 17th in each category, so improving those numbers will be mandatory. To do that, Baskonia must get its best shooters – Matt Janning, Luca Vildoza, Nik Stauskas – involved on offense, generating good shots for them. Baskonia must use its bench depth at the center position – Youssoupha Fall, Michael Eric and Achille Polonara, to stop Milutinov down low, which will be one of the biggest keys to this exciting showdown.
Olympiacos ranks second overall in offensive rebounds (14.7 orpg.) mainly because of Milutinov, who pulled down more than half of those (7.7 orpg.) to lead the player standings. Olympiacos ranks third in turnovers (14.7 per game) and just 13th in assists (14.3 ppg.). Taking better care of the ball will be mandatory against a strong defensive team like Baskonia. Olympiacos needs a strong effort from Augustine Rubit, Milutinov, and Georgios Printezis to stop Toko Shengelia and Fall around the basket.
Tip: 2 (+6.5) at 1.90 with bet365
(Price correct at 25/10/2019, 09:45 CET, could have changed)
News Source: Euroleague.net
Basketball tips: Livetipster
