By Lefteris Moutis/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos usually have a breakout after bad defeats, especially if they are playing at home. That’s what we expect is going to happen against Valencia – for whom there’s not much at stake in terms of their place in the standings – as Ioannis Sfairopoulos’s team will try to regain their positive frame of mind after the defeat by AEK in the Greek Cup final. The Reds can win by more than 8,5 points and the handicap on the home win (1,75) can be included in our choices.
From the player bets and the H2H between Dubljevic (+0,5) and Strelnieks, it’s worth choosing the Montenegrin (1,60), who scores more that the Latvian. For an even greater payout (1,75) you can also choose Dubljevic’s Over 9,5, as he can get 5 shots on target at the Peace & Friendship Stadium.
Khimki – Panathinaikos
From Panathinaikos’s game in Russia, we’ll go for the H2H between Gist (+0,5) and Honeycutt, with the Greens’ American scoring as many or more points than Khimki’s forward. Gabriel’s absence will give James Gist more time on the court and this automatically adds value to our bet (1,70). On the other hand, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Shved will make it in time for the game against the Greens, so the balances will not change on the offensive end for Bartzokas’s team.
Unicaja Malaga – Maccabi Tel Aviv
Nedovic’s return to game action is expected to give Unicaja Malaga an extra boost in their last chance to get themselves back in the qualification game for the quarterfinals of the competition. The home team is 3 wins behind Maccabi, while in the first game between them they had beaten Maccabi in Israel. This means that with a win even a tie would be in their favor, while in case of a defeat, the difference of 4 wins that will separate the two teams would be covered only with a miracle! Maccabi haven’t been very convincing away from home, while throughout the season they have generally been rather inconsistent, having many good but also many bad games. The 1,45 on the home win can be included in our choices on a bet with similar payouts.
Bamberg ended their collaboration with Andrea Trinchieri and will continue with his assistant until recently, Ilias Kantzouris, at the helm. The team that will win this game will hold on to whatever chances they have left of advancing to the next stage, while the losing team will essentially wave this season goodbye. Both teams are coming off unexpected defeats, Bamberg by Jena in the domestic league, Zvezda by Partizan in the Cup. The 1,45 on the home win can be included in our choices since Bamberg, in the EuroLeague at least, plays good basketball at home, while on the other hand, Zvezda lose much of their strength away from home.
Choices:
Olympiacos – Valencia (+8,5) 1 / @1,75
H2H Strelnieks – Dubljevic (+0,5) 2 / @1,60
Unicaja Malaga – Maccabi Tel Aviv 1 / @1,45
H2H Honeycutt – Gist (+0,5) 2 / @1,70
Bamberg – Crvena Zvezda 1 / @1,45