By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
All 18 EuroLeague teams have been rated by Eurohoops based on status, dynamics, form and the significance of their results.
#18 ZALGIRIS KAUNAS
Previous ranking: 18 (-)
Record: 3-16
Home: 3-5
Away: 0-11
Offense-Defense: 69.3-78.9
It can always get worse, Zalgiris proves. Dropping the game at Milan extended the losing streak to six games, including being held under 60 points in three outings in that stretch. Finishing last looks unavoidable.
#17 ALBA BERLIN
Previous ranking: 15 (-2)
Record: 6-15
Home: 4-6
Away: 2-9
Offense-Defense: 74.7-81
ALBA has not won since December 22. If poor form continues, sitting 16th overall might not be safe with a drop further down possible. Marcus Eriksson not playing in recent games due to injury has not helped.
#16 PANATHINAIKOS OPAP ATHENS
Previous ranking: 17 (+1)
Record: 5-15
Home: 5-5
Away: 0-10
Offense-Defense: 73.2-79.4
After snapping the five-game losing streak, Panathinaikos is still stuck 17th without a win away from home the entire season. Recent addition Stefan Jovic might portend a sign to move up the table, but Ioannis Papapetrou being sidelined does not.
#15 BITCI BASKONIA VITORIA-GASTEIZ
Previous ranking: 11 (-4)
Record: 7-14
Home: 5-5
Away: 2-9
Offense-Defense: 72-79.1
Walking on the edge is the recurring theme for Baskonia, which both wins and loses by large margins. Unfortunately for the team from Vitoria-Gasteiz, the losses outweigh the wins. Being on the wrong end of the last three games, including the rough visit at Panathinaikos (75-63), makes the case.
#14 LDLC ASVEL VILLEURBANNE
Previous ranking: 10 (-4)
Record: 9-13
Home: 6-6
Away: 3-7
Offense-Defense: 73.3-79.5
From constantly being part of the top eight teams through Round 12 to constantly being outside looking in after Round 23. ASVEL has been held to two wins in the last nine games since its last positive W-L tally at 7-6 in Round 13.
#13 CRVENA ZVEZDA MTS BELGRADE
Previous ranking: 13 (-)
Record: 8-12
Home: 5-4
Away: 3-8
Offense-Defense: 72.2-73.4
Damage control has been necessary for the opponents of Crvena Zvezda. After taking down Olympiacos in Belgrade, winning the reverse fixture as well shapes the Greek giant as the team receiving the most punishment. However, the second victory stands alone in Zvezda’s win column over the last four games. To climb up the table, the Serbian club must exceed expectations on many more occasions.
#12 MACCABI PLAYTIKA TEL AVIV
Previous ranking: 16 (+4)
Record: 9-11
Home: 7-3
Away: 2-8
Offense-Defense: 78.4-78.2
The back-to-back wins versus Olympiacos (84-69) and ALBA (87-78) were a breath of fresh air for Maccabi. Still, it has a minimal purse coming off the preceding eight losses in a row. Piling up even more wins can get the Israeli giant back in the playoff positions.
#11 FENERBAHCE BEKO ISTANBUL
Previous ranking: 9 (-2)
Record: 9-10
Home: 7-2
Away: 2-8
Offense-Defense: 76.7-74.3
Despite missing both Nando de Colo and Jan Vesely, Fenerbahce defeated Olympiacos (94-80) and Zalgiris (73-67) claiming its fifth and sixth win in the last seven outings. Possibly, this is the only team favored by the multiple schedule adjustments of recent weeks.
#10 ANADOLU EFES ISTANBUL
Previous ranking: 8 (-2)
Record: 10-11
Home: 7-3
Away: 3-8
Offense-Defense: 81.3-79.2
Fighting to recover as a team and to clinch a berth to the playoffs, Efes has lost three out of the last four games. Besides failing to get the job done on the road in three occasions, Adrien Moerman’s buzzer-beater secured the only win, over Panathinaikos (82-81) in Round 22.
#9 AS MONACO
Previous ranking: 14 (+5)
Record: 10-12
Home: 5-5
Away: 5-7
Offense-Defense: 82.6-82.5
Bouncing back, Monaco went from 14th in the standings to becoming one of the most improved teams of the season. Four wins in the last five games with the lone loss coming in double-overtime versus Real Madrid (90-84). Five out of eight overall since the hiring of Sasa Obradovic.