By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The EuroLeague playoffs race is getting hotter day-by-day. The Regular Season Round 28 schedule carries various betting options. Eurohoops picked out three of them counting on KIROLBET Baskonia’s, Olympiacos’s and FC Barcelona Lassa’s drive for a positive result on the bottom end of the final double-game week of the 2018-19 campaign.
KIROLBET Baskonia – Real Madrid 1 (+4.5) / 1.70
KIROLBET Baskonia is the side with the motive. It’s remaining schedule is tough and the team has to get the home win against Real Madrid to keep its playoffs push strong. Despite their injury woes, the hosts deserve our bet on a win with a handicap. Pablo Laso’s side won’t give up the game, but has already secured the home advantage in the playoffs and doesn’t really need the “W”. Away matches against Baskonia always present difficulties to the Whites. We expect a tight contest that goes down the stretch.
Herbalife Gran Canaria – Olympiacos 2 (-5.5) / 1.75
Olympiacos will all but advance with the win on the road. Even if the Reds drop the away game versus Zalgiris Kaunas, they will only need to defeat Darussafaka Tekfen at home in order to go through. In any case, the Greek team is better than Herbalife Gran Canaria and could march through its opponent with an effective showing. Betting on the visiting team’s win with a handicap added is worth the risk, as David Blatt’s club is slowly getting back on track.
FC Bayern Munich – FC Barcelona Lassa 2 (-2.5) / 1.70
FC Barcelona Lassa seems in better shape lately. FC Bayern Munich was essentially eliminated after its loss to Olympiacos in Greece. Svetislav Pesic’s side has a favorable schedule down the stretch of the Regular Season, as it will host Khimki Moscow Region and Buducnost VOLI after the game in Germany. Fourth place is likely out of reach, but we believe Barcelona will try to take advantage of any missteps by Anadolu Efes. We will bet on the visitors in this match and against a team in disappointing form.
Picks:
1. KIROLBET Baskonia – Real Madrid 1 (+4.5) / 1.70
2. Herbalife Gran Canaria – Olympiacos 2 (-5.5) / 1.75
3. FC Bayern Munich – FC Barcelona Lassa 2 (-2.5) / 1.70