By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
Double-game week, the last of the 2018-19 EuroLeague Regular Season, is set to start on Tuesday. Panathinaikos OPAP and Olympiacos are looking to maintain their playoffs hopes securing a home win. Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv and Herbalife Gran Canaria unders are also among our betting picks.
Panathinaikos OPAP – KIROLBET Baskonia 1 (6.5) / 1.75
Coming off an important victory against CSKA Moscow on the road, Panathinaikos OPAP wants to extend its winning ways in Athens. Rick Pitino’s side won’t be satisfied with a simple win, but will chase the tiebreaking advantage by surpassing the nine-point defeat to KIROLBET Baskonia in Spain. Everything is pointing in favor of the Greens in this game. Betting on the 6.5 points handicap at 1.75 has its value.
Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv U80.5 / 1.83
Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv seems like a different team since Giannis Sfairopoulos took over. Defense now has an important spot in the list of priorities. Zalgiris Kaunas has always been effective defensively. The visitors have managed to hold their opponents under 80 points in most of their 2018-19 EuroLeague games including their impressive showings in hostile environments and against clubs with a high tempo attitude. Maccabi’s 80.5 under is among our picks.
Olympiacos – FC Bayern Munich 1/1 / 1.67
Big-game time for both Olympiacos and FC Bayern Munich. The two teams are battling for a playoffs berth. The German side is showing fatigue, while the Greek team is facing injury issues with Vassilis Spanoulis the latest victim. We will side with Olympiacos, its home advantage and its experience in tough matches. We don’t expect an easy win, but David Blatt’s team is able to contain its opponents throughout the forty minutes. The 1.67 value of the 1/1 bet earned a spot among our picks.
Herbalife Gran Canaria U76.5 / 1.83
FC Barcelona Lassa has one of the best defensive teams of the competition. Svetislav Pesic counts on his players’ defensive effort in every match. Herbalife Gran Canaria has a bad habit of remaining away from scoring for big chunks of games despite its up tempo play. The team isn’t very effective offensively on the road. If the contest doesn’t open up early and allow Barcelona to relax, Pedro Martinez’s team will struggle to get to 80 points. The 76.5 under option is worth a bet.
Picks:
1. Panathinaikos OPAP – KIROLBET Baskonia 1 (6.5) / 1.75
2. Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv U80.5 / 1.83
3. Olympiacos – FC Bayern Munich 1/1 / 1.67
4. Herbalife Gran Canaria U76.5 / 1.83