By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
Once again Olympiacos can be a foothold in your betting choices for this round in the Euroleague, since their defense can take you to the cash register yet again.
Limoges scored only 49 points in the game against Olympiacos in the Peace and Friendship Stadium. The game in France will be different, but the red-and-whites will definitely play some tough defense again. The 68,5-point limit is quite high for the French, who, in their last games in the Euroleague and the French championship, have scored 71, 56, 52 and 69. Against the second best defense in the Euroleague (and the best in Europe when one takes under consideration the national championships as well), isn’t the 68,5-point limit a bit high?
In one of several “finals” for the qualification for the Top 16 in group A, Khimki have the advantage to prevail over Strasbourg. The Russian team doesn’t want to get into trouble and can easily prevail in France because of its superior quality. Besides, no matter how many “miracles” Strasbourg has pulled off, it’ll be hard to repeat one against Khimki.
Aside for this, you could bet on the Over since both teams play at a high tempo, with the Russian team being the one with the most possessions than any other with 76,4, and Strasbourg being in 4th place of that list. So, the 153,5 points are relatively few for this game.
Fenerbahce are going to play without any particular pressure, while Crvena Zvezda are burning for the qualification. The Serbs play at a high tempo in their last few games and they will probably go over the 71,5 points that are given as a limit. Besides, the Turks aren’t known for their defense… Since their last bout, Obradovic’s players have managed to keep their opponents under this limit only two times (in a total of nine games).
Malaga want to stay in the position of claiming their group’s first place in the final round opposite CSKA. Sassari surely can’t trouble the Spaniards and the 6-point limit seems small for Joan Plaza’s players not to exceed it.
The betting tips
Sassari (+6) – Malaga 2
@Sportingbet 1,92
Limoges – Olympiacos Limoges Under 68,5 points
@William Hill 1,85
Strasbourg – Khimki Over 153,5 points
@Bet365 1,90
Strasbourg (+5,5) – Khimki 2
@Nesine 1,70
Fenerbahce – Crvena Zvezda Crvena Zvezda Over 71,5 points
@Stoiximan 1,91