By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The hard work of a whole season might be judged in 40 or 80 minutes of game time for some teams. The home court advantage, the ticket to the quarterfinals, the best possible placement in the standings are some of the teams’ incentives, behind which we find value in certain bets.
Crvena Zvezda – Unics Kazan
Crvena Zvezda have the first word in this particular clash. Whether they do it the easy way or the hard way, they’re going to find a way to get the win in order to get the qualification, as Unics are indifferent in terms of the standings, and in recent games not so effective. The 1,16 for the home win could be on one of our tickets for a guaranteed return.
Zalgiris Kaunas – Armani Milan
Both teams are indifferent and out of the running. However, OPAP’s 1,16 for the home win could get on one of our tickets since it’s going to be difficult for the home team to lose this game to Armani, who are dealing with many problems and absences. After all, Sarunas Jasikevicius’s team should feel anything but disappointment regarding their feats in the EuroLeague and certainly everyone will want to close out the season in the competition in the best possible way.
Baskonia are the only ones who are of any interest in terms of the standings, since Galatasaray have been knocked out. Despite the fact that the Basques are not a consistent team away from home, against Galatasaray in Istanbul they might be worth trusting. Baskonia, who are trying to catch up with Fenerbahce and Panathinaikos in the standings seeing that they are only a point behind them, want to take advantage of a possible blunder on their part and move a bit higher up.
Panathinaikos are aiming at two wins with the remaining games in order to secure fifth place and hope for a stumble from Fenerbahce that would bring them the home court advantage. CSKA Moscow want the win in order to secure second place mathematically too, while they’re waiting for a blunder by Real so they can finish first. The Greens have only one defeat at home this season, the one by Olympiacos during Xavi Pascual’s first days at the club. At the Olympic Sports Center Athens they have the first word against any team, even against the almighty CSKA. Besides, they’ve beaten the Russians with much worse teams than this year’s, why can’t they do it again this year when they have so much quality in their roster? The 1,88 for the home win is worth it and we’re including it in our choices.
Since we’re moving towards the home win for Panathinaikos, if we want to increase our returns, a good option is the combination bet that OPAP has on offer with a 3,05 payoff: “Win for Panathinaikos – De Colo top scorer”. The French ace can move along very high standards offensively even in the Olympic Sports Center in Athens since he plays for more than 20 minutes and takes on a great number of shots.
Real Madrid – Fenerbahce
Real Madrid are strong at home whether they have any interest in the standings or not. Fenerbahce have a greater incentive than the home team in their effort to hold on to fourth place and the home court advantage. The handicap for the away win (+5,5 and a 1,75 payoff at OPAP) has a good chance, as the game is a derby and can be decided in the details at the end.
The picks
Panathinaikos – CSKA Moscow 1 / @1,88 at OPAP
Win for Panathinaikos – De Colo top scorer / @3,05 at OPAP
Galatasaray – Baskonia 2 / @1,45
Real Madrid – Fenerbahce (+5,5) / @1,75 at OPAP