Euroleague Basketball

By Divol

Barcelona v Real Madrid



25th March 19:15 GMT

Real played better than Barcelona in the first game, but poor a finish of the 4th quarter and some bad minutes in the 1st quarter cost them the match. Still, this was good match for Real that may have given them just the confidence they needed for the series. Many experts talk about what is the best chance for a surprise, the first or the second game. Messina said a few years back that he favours the second game. I believe that the first game has a better chance, but since Messina is the coach of Real, I think his opinion matters more, for this game for sure. Real played Messina's basketball. Patient, intelligent and didn't settle for three pointers but when given a chance tried to attack the paint.

Barcelona's backers can say and be right that even in Real's best game of the season and poor game of Barcelona; they won and even almost covered. Still, Barcelona plays poor basketball for some time now and if Real repeats their performance from game one, line will win for sure and there is a good chance for the SU win as well.

Picks:

Real +9.5 – 1.96– 3 units play - Pinnacle

Real to win, 5.5 – 0.75 units play - Bluesq


Maccabi Tel Aviv v Partizan Mobtel



25th March 19:00 GMT

Maccabi had Partizan on the ropes in the first game, but a crazy second half, with one in a year display from behind the arc by Partizan, one of Euroleague's worst three point shooting team, allowed them not only to make a comeback, but to complete it as well and win.

Today Maccabi and Partizan know this one is much more crucial to Maccabi. Partizan needs to protect the home and Maccabi knows that while they can hope to win in Pioneer one game, to go there in 0 – 2, will almost eliminate all chances to make it to the Final 4. Maccabi doesn't need to change anything. If they just do the same thing they did in the first half of the first game they will win and this time, knowing what happened on Tuesday they won't pull the foot of the gas until the end of the game.

Pick: Maccabi -8, 1.91 – 4 units play – Paddy Power

Divol