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Unicaja is lead by the defensively-minded Plaza but they way they have been playing this season has been impressive. They had a 10-15 difference with 5 minutes to go and Calloway and Dragič ran into each counter as if the game had only started. They have been fully dedicated in defense and they run when they get the chance. Considering that Canaris are an extremely offensively-oriented team that take many 3-point shots, this will give Unicaja additional running space. I expect an open game, attractive for the fans, and I will try an over. Unicaja over 81 is another good option. Details

Galata's games have been ending in low figures lately, as they stabilized after severe injury problems. Today, I expect a full-on defensive engagement from them in defense, especially since they lost their last league game against Banvit. On the other hand, we have Gaziantep who have brought in defensively oriented Zdovc during the week and I'm pretty sure he will try to slow down the game and they have their point guard Bremer who can match Arroya to some extent. In the last round, they showed that they can play defensively when they want to - the margin for the game against Mersin was set at almost 170 points and it ended in some 130 points. Today they are facing an even better defense and this means less chances. Considering the expectations around Zdovc and his philosophy, one should definitely go for this... Details

Barcelona have shown no mercy this season. The only point they've lost so far was a draw against Vardar in Skopje and Arpad Šterbik clearly said they would fix that. This point is not a real measure of strength, Barca lead by 6 points at the break but Malumbres was great on the goal. The Spaniard later relaxed and paid the price. They almost lost the game. The Vardar of today is in a downward spiral in terms of form, they scored 6 goals in the second half against Metalurg last week, and Barca's defense is much stronger than Metalurg's. They beat Metalurg by 8 goals and Barcelona beat them by 18. The Macedonians have no coach, the situation in their ranks is not too good, they are missing Rastvorcev and maybe even Lazarov and I don't think they will lose by less than 10 goals. Details

Nanterre were defeated in Belgrade by 30 points, but that defeat is not as important because they beat Barcelona away. That is, if they manage to win tonight. That would get them extremely close to Top 16. This is a key game of the season, both for them and Partizan. In case they lose, they can reach the next round only if they manage to surprise CSKA home, or Fenerbahce in Istanbul, and that would be a bit more difficult to pull off. Nanterre were under 141,5 points in the last 6 games, and that is the margin for today's game as well. They went over that only against Fenerbahce, but that is not at all relevant for the game today. Defense is not Partizan's strong suit, which is nothing new, but the fact they don't have as many players in the roster makes them even weaker in offense and they are not able to score 80 or so points in a game like this. They lost 74-69 to Budivelnik, whose pace is quite high, and Nanterre's toughness and physical strength are impressive. Since the next round of the EuroLeague is at stake here, the game will be quite hard on the eyes. Details

This handicap would be realistically set if Toulouse were coming with a full roster, but they're not. They will be missing three perimeter players, meaning that the burden of responsibility will have to be carried by Calvel, Chelle, Gilbert, Morency and Osmajic. Those five can be reserve players in Montpellier, at best. Such an outer line will definitely struggle vs the Montpellier defense, and that means a lot of turnovers and counterattacks. Even handicapped like this Toulouse beat Nantes 31-27 in the last round gamebut with 25 saves by their goalkeepers, which is a once in a season blessing, not a twice a week occurrence. Montpellier are very serious and motivated, judging from what captain Guigou said. They were very distressed by the home loss to Cesson and have been playing at a higher level since. I doubt they will have any trouble today... Details

This will be an important game for the Spaniards and a slightly less important game for the Germans. Zaragoza's coach has been known for his defensive expertise for years and Zaragoza play a very aggressive game, especially at hone. With Tabu and Stefansson in the back court, they are able to do so and the first game against Alba is a reflection of what we might expect tonight. The Germans won 71-68 and Alba are not an offensively-minded team. I won't even talk about coach Obradović. They have gone over 147 only against Ulm and Bayern and these two teams have a completely different approach. Casajol have played 6 games this season at home, and the only one that went over 147 is the one against Juventit, a team focused on offense and shooting and offensive rebounds risking the transition of their opposition. This is not Alba's way and this will be a completely different game. Details

Dijon are an extremely defensive team that can't beat anyone through offensive play, let alone Nantes who have great defense and keepers. A few days ago, Dijon got 18 against St. Raphaël and their defense cannot be compared to the one Nantes have, lead by one of the best defenders in the league Rock Feliho. Dijon have played 11 official games this season, with only 2 games over 55 goals - against PSG and Chambery. Today, they are missing their important back player Bezzer and since the away team are missing Maqueda, I definitely don't see this going over 55. Details

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Ulm play different at home than away, and you can see that from their results. Their last four home games were: Ludwigsburg 104-99, Olimpija 83-80, Trier 79-84, Asvel 86-80. If they went over 160 against strong defenses that Olimpija and Asvel have, I don't see why they shouldn't do so to day against the point-machince. Even though Valencia are not at the same level at home and away, it's not easy playing against offensively-oriented Ulm or against Olimpija and Asvel. Pamesa have injury problems but injuries of Aguilara and Liščuk are primarily defensive problems and Pečerov was brought in their stead, and this guys shoots 3-points like a shooting guard and has got 15 and 10 points in his last two games with minimal time on the court. Ulm have 5-1 and are at the top of the table which means they have no imperative whatsoever, and they have two home games against Paris and Varese in which they will make sure they go through, while Valencia have two home games and 4-2 so this game won't bear any additional importance. Considering the players that Valencia are missing, Perasović's defense cannot be at the top level and considering Ulm's philosophy, I see this as a very attractive game. And this means lots of points. Details

Efes were 20 points ahead by half time in Ankara against Kolejliler last week, the score at half time was 41-32 against Milan, and they are playing a team that is much worse in defense than both Kolejliler and Milan. They played a preparation period game against them and won 97-78. Olin Edirne can't do anything when someone puts pressure on Washington, they don't have a lot of players to choose from, and this match up is certainly not good for them. Efes will settle the game by half time, and I'm opting for the first half time handicap because Mahmuti tends to change a lot in the second period - he doesn't have a lot of players to choose from either and has EuroLeague games to come. He will therefore give chance to younger players such as Osman, Balbaya, Batuk, Kilici...Gordon, Hopson, Savanovic, Planinic, and the others will already have settled the game by then. Details

Lubbecke are not the same team without their key defense player and first choice middle back Drago Vukovic. First choice right back Schongarth, and first choice left back Niemeyer are out as well. Lubbecke is without them a much weaker team and they stand no chance against Hamburg like that. We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves here - HSV are known for having problems with ''small'' games, and Lubbecke are on the other hand doing best against the greatest team, and losing to smaller ones. That happened this week when they lost to Emsdetten, the worst team in the league. It's still hard to imagine the game not ending by a 7-or-8-point difference because Schwalb rested Duvnjak, Hens, and Lackovic on Thursday... Details

Aliaga's coach has only defense on his mind. He took over two weeks ago and this is a very important game for them. Their record is 1-5, but they did play against Karsiyaka, Fenerbahce, Banvit, and Galatasaray - currently four best teams in the league. Usak are a newly promoted team and they still haven't played any of them. Today's game will be filled with tension, and the defenses will be dominant. They played Usak in the Cup (64-54) prior to the start of the season, but I can't imagine this game going over 152 points scored. That Usak will do under 78 is a good option as well. Aliaga conceded 81 point against Fenerbahce home, 69 against Galatasaray... Details

In a clash of two teams with best 3-point efficiency, we will go for Fuenlabrada under 75.5. Why? A team lead by Carlos Cabeza has gone over this margin 2 times in the last 6 rounds. In a 90-82 defeat at Canaris and at home against Estudiantes when they won 82-72. However, they are facing one of the best defenses in the league that man coaches believe is the toughest in the league. The return of Pau Ribas makes this defense even stronger. They conceded over 75 on two occasions in lasz 6 games - 76 against Zaragoza in their 96-76 win and 76 against Barcelona in their 76-75 defeat. Last season, they left Fuenlabrada, currently the team with the worst field goal efficiency, at 72 and 65 points. Perasović talked about Fuenlabrada's 3-pointer, he is aware of their efficiency and I'm sure he's ready for that. His defense will do their job this time. Details

In their last home game with the best defense of the league, that of Kolding, Skanderborg went to 52 goals, winning 27-25. They then had a great situation vs BSV, leading 15-11, but were left without ideas vs a set offense. The coaching camp worked on the offense during the week and progress is expected, as the outer position players like the important Pedersen self-critically commented they needed to do more. Skanderborg are also not a team like Skive or some other, strictly defensively oriented teams. Prior to Kolding, they scored over 53.5 in three straight games at home. TMS are coming in a slightly more relaxed mood after beating Skive, and they have performed well on offense so far in the season. Of the four away games, they stayed under this margin vs Skive and Kolding, and went way over vs Holstebra and Sonderjyske. All three of their matches went over 53 goals last season, I believe a similar scenario will repeat itself today as well. Details

Over the last two matches Türk Telekom have regained their confidence vs Galatasaray and Fener. They beat the current champion at home, back when both Dagli and Gordon played for Galata, and then were 10ish points ahead at halftime before they broke apart. However, this did not upset anyone. This week they got a player that can help on the defense, and are hoping for a real game today, vs a strong but tired opponent. Coach Vrankovic points out they've played Karsiyaka in the preparatory period, and that he knows what to do and how to do it. Stopping the Dixon-Batista axis will be crucial, and he has Tunceri (now Radivojevic too), as well as Andric and Nalga to stand up to them. He will try to create an offensive advantage with Shipp and Luka Bogdanovic, both good guards. Karsiyaka played two overtime periods on Wednesday, and the main players, the four that carry their game, spent between 40 and 45 minutes out on court. They came back on Thursday, and that has to be felt. Telekom are not an easy away game, and this could be a very interesting duel, in which I'm not excluding a chance Telekom might win. Details

Kolejliler are a very interesting team; when you think they're over, they come back and play great. After their defeat against Alba in Hungary and at home against Efes, they played above their expectations and beat Himik in Ukraine. Today they have a chance again. Besiktas are in trouble after Perkins Broekoff got injured, their first-squad players. They brought Gianes but the only had 2 training sessions so far and I'm not sure he'll be much of help. Kolejliler will know how to use that, they got the stability with Rašić, and they have one of the best players in the league in their center Golubović and Besiktas will have a tough time against him. This could very easily turn into an equal game, so I will go for a handicap on visitors. Besiktas under 80 is also a good option. Details

Last month it was 25-24 for Cesson here, but that was the League cup and a less important game than the one here today. Ivry have been a defensive team for years, they played 20-20 here last year and I expect them to be in fighting mood. I expect it from Cesson as they lost their last round against Dijon which disappointed many, and they lost their last home game against the super-fast Montpellier by 23-20. Ivry had an under against Toulouse and Dunkerque, and went over 50 only against fast teams like Chambery, but I don't expect such a game today. This is a fight for relegation, important for both teams there will be enough grit to go around. Details

The game between Nantes and Toulouse last month in Nantes ended 26-26. and Nantes later won through penalties. The situation is completely opposite today, Toulouse are without two of their first-team back players, the best player Fernandez and first center-back Andđelković. In this condition they scored only 22 goals in the last round. Today they are facing one of the strongest defenses in the league and they will have problems once again as Calver, Morency, or Osmajić (who was brought for defensive purposes) cannot replace Fernandez. In their 15 games, Nantes left their opponents under 28 goals on 11 occasions. Only the games against Montpellier, Chambery, Dunkerque and a huge blunder against Nimes saw more than 28 goals. They regrouped and improved in the past 10 days and I think they should win this one, and I don't think they'll conceded 28... Details

The Russians have left Bešiktaš in Istanbul at 58 points, Lokomotiva at 64 and Panionios at 69. As we have said in several of our previews, they are a defensive team and this defense will make the crucial difference today. The Turks are coming without their first point guard who is worth half their team and without their first-team forward. Both players got injured last weekend and Bešiktaš is not the same team without them. Even with them, they averaged 67 points in the Eurocup and I really don't see how they could go over 70 tonight. All Russians have to do is close down Lofton and I won't be surprised Bešiktaš stay at about 60 points. An under for the home team is the first option, but a total under is also a good one as Russians aren't capable of scoring over 80, plus the win for the home team could also be good... Details

The injuries to their 5 crucial players made Magdeburg a completely different team. You can see it in the results from the previous round and they are very much relying on defensive game. They can somehow manage there as they activated their two veterans Knorr and Wiegert, and they have powerful defenders Haas and Van Olphen. Kneer is also an excellent defender. They scored 11 goals against Gummersbach in the first half, 7 from the counters. They won the game due to excellent defense. And great defense is what Melsungen is about and this could turn into a war zone with very few goals. This is why we will go for total under. Magdeburg have gone under in the last 4 games, and 5 out of last 6. Melsungen have been under in the last 3... Details