At Salle Gaston Medecin, Monaco and Anadolu Efes face off in a crucial game for the play-off qualification. Currently at 10-13 (after the exclusion of the Russian teams), Sasa Obradovic’s guys have to maintain their usually outstanding offense for tonight’s must-win game.
They are averaging 83.4 points per game, more than any team this year. In 2022, they have scored less than 80 points in only four of their 19 games.
In a recent interview with Hedge Out, leading scorer Mike James (averaging 16 points and 5.9 assists) said he “will feel let down if Monaco will not be in the playoffs”.
On the other hand, the Turkish side travels away from home again this week. They lost fair and square to Baskonia (87-74) on Tuesday, missing a chance to come closer to the top four. Vasilije Micic and Shane Larkin combined for 44 points, however it still was not enough.
Anadolu Efes’ chances of the home-court advantage in the playoffs are limited, should they come up short tonight.
My prediction is that this will be a high-scoring game. The pick of over 161.5 (odds around 1.55) is considered a safe bet. Second pick will be the value option of over 169.5 (odds of 2.20-2.40). I consider this class to be pretty tight, therefore the overtime pick (odds around 10.50-12.00) is my fun bet tonight.
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball
Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius returns to Lithuania as favorite
At Zalgirio Arena, Barcelona aims to extend its dominance against Zalgiris Kaunas. The Blaugrana seem unstoppable at the moment. They have won eight of their 10 Euroleague games in 2022.
Coach Jasikevicius’ guys are the grand favorite to finish at the top of the table thanks to the quality of players, such as Nikola Mirotic (averaging 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 20.0 PIR) and Nick Calathes (averaging 5.4 assists this year).
Zalgiris is tied at last place with Panathinaikos (6-16). This is clearly a season to forget for the Lithuanians. They score the lowest in the league (71.2 points per game). Even their famous home crowd can not help them this year, due to Covid-19 regulations, as they have lost half their home games (four out of eight).
I’m expecting tonight’s game won’t come with a surprise. Barcelona will prevail with ease. The pick of handicap win -4.5 is my safe bet (odds around 1.47). Second pick will be Nikola Mirotic as first scorer of this game (odds around 2.70-2.80).
Safe bets
Monaco – Anadolu Efes: over 161.5 points (1.55)
Zalgiris – Barcelona : Barcelona win -4.5 (1.47)
Value bets
Monaco – Anadolu Efes: over 169.5 points (2.20)
Zalgiris – Barcelona: Nikola Mirotic first scorer (2.70)
Fun bet
Monaco – Anadolu Efes: overtime (10.50)
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball
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