By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
Eurohoops’ predictions during the Top 16 have been proven so far right on the spot. This week we will rely on CSKA and Panathinaikos, who are expected to score a lot at home against Nizhny and Galatasaray, respectively. Moreover, Efes and Olympiacos are likely to play excellent defense. Also, Fenerbahce has advantage to beat Unicaja.
Once again we have to say “thanks” to the betting companies that insist to offer too low the line in CSKA’s points at home. In the previous seven games the Russian champs scored 99, 95, 95, 97, 88, 99 and 101 points. So, if the line in the game vs Nizhny is 88 points, we will bet on over. No matter what…
Panathinaikos is a completely different team at home as we referred before. The Greens have the chance to score more than 78,5 points against Galatasaray. After all, every opponent of the Turkish team (except Crvena Zvezda) scored more. Panathinaikos is not in excellent shape but can be more productive than 78,5 points.
Unicaja needs desperately its first win in the Top 16 but Fenerbhace is in good shape and also wants the win in order to “cover” the two home defeats by Olympiacos and CSKA. The Turkish team has deeper and more quality roster and it’s expected to beat Unicaja easily.
Laboral and Milan have the same win record (1-3 wins) but the hosts are getting better and better as a unit and they can win this game. The Italians have huge ups and downs; they don’t play so well as a team and most likely Laboral will prevail easily.
The game Efes–Olympiacos is expected to have a low score. Both teams love to follow low tempo basketball and are expected not to score more than 143,5 points. The Reds score on road 72 points per game and the hosts 70. So, it’s risky, but bet on under.
The betting tips
CSKA-Nizhny CSKA Over 88,5 points
@William Hill 1,90
Laboral-Milan (+4,5) 1
@Coral 1,91
Efes–Olympiacos Under 143,5 points
@Bet365 1,90
Panathinaikos-Galatasaray Panathinaikos over 78,5 points
@Ladbrokes 1,85
Unicaja(+3)-Fenerbahce 2
@Sportingbet 1,90