By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The first big derby of the “group of death” will take place in the Peace and Friendship stadium with Barcelona looking like they’re in better shape than Olympiacos, having an advantage for the win.
Olympiacos are not in good condition in the last month and even though Vassilis Spanoulis is back, they will play once again without Matt Lojeski. Barcelona are in excellent form and they can launch their Top 16 with a win. The Catalans are coming from their big win in the clasico over Real Madrid and they can definitely get the win in Piraeus as well.
Cedevita were impressing in the group stage with their game, but now things have become more difficult. Lokomotiv Kuban are a quality team with many options for each position and can win relatively easily in Zagreb.
Laboral Kutxa started the season impressively and they have ambitions in the Top 16 as well. Their biggest asset is their game in the open court and they will likely manage to impose their rhythm and score more than the limit of 75,5 points. Besides, in the ten games of the first stage they scored less in only two games, against Olympiacos and Cedevita.
At the same time, the Basques look like they have the advantage to prevail over Zalgiris, who were competitive in the group stage but had many ups and downs and showed that if they face a reliable team they will succumb.
The betting tips
Khimki (+4) – CSKA 2
@Bet365 1,90
Olympiacos – Barcelona (+1,5) 2
@Sportingbet 1,92
Zalgiris – Laboral Laboral Over 75,5 points
@Stoiximan 1,83
Zalgiris – Laboral Kutxa (+1,5) 2
@Unibet 1,91
Cedevita (+4,5) – Lokomotiv Kuban 2
@Coral 1,87