By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The time has come for the Final Four and Eurohoops gives its own predictions for the outcome of the two semifinals, the winning of the trophy and the MVP of the tournament.
CSKA Moscow theoretically have the advantage against Lokomotiv Kuban, but we are essentially speaking of a Russian derby and not a classic Final Four semifinal. Dimitrios Itoudis’s team usually drives the score high in most games, while Georgios Bartzokas’s team has the best defense in the Euroleague, especially at home. The point limit is very high (160,5) and the two teams are not likely to exceed it. Besides, usually in Final Four semifinals the score is low and CSKA had a very low score in all of their last five appearances in a semifinal.
On the other side, the Fenerbahce-Laboral pair looks like it will drive the score high. The Basques are the classic pacey team that seeks plays on the open court, while Fenerbahce have a bigger rotation and will try to “strike” on Laboral’s defensive weakness close to the rim. The score is expected to be high with the Basques looking like they’re capable of scoring more than 73,5 points.
Furthermore, Fenerbahce has more quality and depth to withstand a Final Four semifinal. The Turkish team are the favorites and they can impose themselves with a difference higher than 6,5 points. Zeljko Obradovic has the backcourt players to impede the game of Adams and James, while Vesely’s return provides an additional option to hurt Laboral in the paint.
The point limit
CSKA Moscow – Lokomotiv Under 160,5 points
@Nesine 1,70
Fenerbahce – Laboral Laboral Over 73,5 points
@William Hill 1,85
Fenerbahce – Laboral (+6,5) 1
@Nesine 1,70
With regard to special bets, CSKA Moscow and Fenerbahce have a small payoff and are not worth it, but Lokomotiv Kuban has a very good return for winning the Euroleague with 10 (Sportingbet).
Regarding the MVPs, the obvious choice if CSKA wins the trophy is Nando De Colo, followed by Teodosic, but in case Fenerbahce find themselves at the top, the situation is much more complicated and for this reason Jan Vesely’s choice with the odds being 9 (Bet365) is very attractive.