By Lefteris Moutis / moutis@eurohoops.net
There was another favorable nod in the betting tips offered by Eurohoops over the weekend. This week in the Euroleague there is endorsement of the Turkish teams, while there is a special interest in the first Eurocup semifinals.
Efes hosts Milano in a “final” for these two teams with reference to advancing to the playoffs. The Italians still have mathematical chances for qualification, but they do have to win by a 3-point margin in order to cover for the first round’s defeat, while they need a +10 point lead to have an advantage over Laboral in case of a tie. The Turks are a more organized team and they can certainly impose themselves on Milano whose game is based on instinct and individual talent.
Respectively, Fenerbahce has a significant advantage to defeat Laboral and secure the group’s first place. The Turks are in form and they can easily impose themselves on the Basques who are unstable and don’t possess an experienced roster in order to counter Fener. The handicap is low and the Turks can win with a lead that’s higher than 3,5 points. Also the two teams play in a high tempo and it’s reasonable to expect a high score line.
Maccabi has improved significantly in defense over the last period and they can certainly hold back the inadequate and full of problems Galatasaray. The last time the Turks scored more than 70 points at an away game was in the last round, against Panathinaikos. So most likely, they won’t be able to cope at Tel Aviv.
Finally, in the Eurocup, Khimki has a significant advantage for an easy win over Banvit in the first semifinal of the series. The Russians are undoubtedly superior, they are in form (they count six wins in a row in all competitions) and they can win with more than a 5,5-point handicap.
The betting tips
Banvit(+4,5)-Khimki 2
@Ladbrokes 1,85
Maccabi–Galatasaray Galatasaray Under 70,5 points
@William Hill 1,85
Laboral(+3,5)-Fenerbahce 2
@Bet365 1,90
Laboral-Fenerbahce Over 160,5 points
@Unibet 1,90
Efes-Milano (+6) 1
@Coral 1,91