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The previous matches of these two teams speak volumes of their dedication to defense. When adding the importance of this game to the pot, I think we've every right to expect a game with smaller number of points. Both coaches talk about defense only. Buducnost won the last few games on account on aggression, especially home where they went over this margin only against Igokea in the meeting that was settled by half time. All their other matches were unders and judging by Banvitspor's last meetings, they are playing a more defense-oriented game too. This is a very important game for both teams and they will both focus on defending, which is why this 154-point margin seems like a good choice. Details

Levski fell apart completely and that is the most important reason behind this bet. Unfortunately, everyone knows that, which is why the margin at this bet keeps on getting higher, causing smaller stake on my part. Levski can no longer afford to pay their key players, which is why three of them left, while Pavlinov won't be on the team either with an injury. Mega Vizura are on a two-game losing steak and additional motivation is probably the fact Levski recorded their only ABA League win against them. Mega will win, it's only a matter of how fast their pace will be and how much they will keep it up. They were always very consistent when it came to pace so far and this is a good chance for the players who are normally not given much chance in the game to prove how good they are. I think over at Mega is therefore better than the handicap that is set quite high. But, it is quite a good option too. Details

Union Olimpija and Cibona meet today to play the derby match of this round of ABA League. Olimpija are in spot for on a 8-5 record, Cibona are fifth on a 7-6 record and four-game winning run. Cibona's defense is doing brilliantly, they conceded 71 point only one in the last four games (a tie against Metalac). They limited Igokea to 61, MTZ to 61 home, Levski to 64 points in Sofia the last round. Levski are averaging over 90 points in the Bulgarian championship. Olimpija are very defense-oriented as well and I think we're going to watch a very tough game here. The Slovenians want a much performance now than in their last round game with Krka, which ended at 125 points. Both teams were very fierce and I think we are to see something similar today. Union have only one over at this margin home (against Levski) and I think this is a very good pick that is backed by stats as well. It has value because the game is very important as well and because both teams currently play brilliant defense. Details

What I'm counting on here is the fact this is a completely irrelevant match, especially for Szolnoki, who were knocked out of the Eurocup two rounds back. Besiktas have an extremely slim chance of claiming top spot, but need Khimki to lose to Zenit home, which is not very likely. I think we are to see a game with not very keen defenses, since Besiktas will know the score of the first game before starting this one. They are a heavy favorite, but the margin at team over isn't set too high as a result of a more defense-oriented game. The score a lot in the Turkish championship lately, while Szolnoki have to do without their two important players and two are questionable. Defense is not their strong suit and this bet that is not backed by last rounds' stats has great value anyway, in my opinion. I'll go with medium stake because this game won't mean anything to Besiktas if Khimki win. An over is possible in that case too, because no one will need anything from the game. Home team over seems like he best option.. Details

Buducnost are already focused on the Partizan game they will play over the weekend in the ABA League. They lost their last ABA League game to Cedevita, which made the meeting with the Serbian team much more important. Coach Jovocic said he will give a chance to some of the players who spend less time on the court today, and I think he was talking about point guard Ivanovic, whom he desperately needs to get back in shape following an injury. I think he should spend more time on the court than Cook, Buducnost's driving force in ABA League. Šehovic and Reynolds, who might as well be Buducnost's key players at this point, are questionable and I don't think they'll be given a lot of time o the floor even if they make it in the game. PAOK, on the other hand, have motivation. They can claim the runner up position in case they beat Buducnost in Podgorica and if Karsiyaka lose to the undefeated Lokomotiv home. Buducnost are going to finish in fourth spot for sure and this game isn't important for them. Spot two will probably see them meet Khimki and Limoges and Cantu/Oostende/Dijon, the third Bešiktaš, Zaragozu/Paris and Galatasaray/Neptunas. Both draws seem tough, but PAOK's coach said they will try their best to finish in spot two and i trust him. PAOK have been doing brilliantly in the Greek championship. I was choosing between home team under and counter-handicap today and the latter seems like a better option only because of home team's approach. I don't think they will be very keen in defense because of the game with Partizan that follows. Details

Zenit and Olimpija will play the game that could decide the third place in the group where the place doesn't really mean much, but if Zenit win, Olimpija are a lot closer to the second place because they'll host Riga in the last round, while Zenit will go to play against Himki. The first match went to 173 points, and the stakes were much higher then. I'll take that match as a measure because Zenit showed the game they want to play, and both teams took the running. Hodge stands out in that segment, he prefers fast game. This match doesn't mean much to Olimpija and they definitely won't put in special effort defensively, and neither will the Russians. This season, the Russians have five overs and three unders on this margin, two of which against Riga. Olimpija, however, have 6 overs and two unders, so statistically speaking, this bet has a certain value. The stakes are middle because of the last league matches these teams played, but I think this time the offenses will lead the game. Details

Coach Lukajic will be making some serious changes to Igokea's game as his first game proved. Levski are not an opponent good enough for proving anything, but Igokea now have a perfect opportunity to prove that win was no accident. They meet Cibona, who can't count on the first choice point guard Blassingame, who left, and are now probably starting a new era. He was the driving force of the team, with almost everything in their game coming down to him. His replacement Ilievski is a well-experienced point guard, but I think he'll need more time to get the team organized. Handicap seems like a good option, Igokea are on a run and despite experiencing some problems with the roster, I think they'll beat the ailing Cibona relatively easily. Details

The Hungarian team had a great start to the Eurochallenger Cup, which forced them to put the Hungarian league on the back burner and caused bad results. They now face Tartu, who are in great shape, especially in defense, their strong suit. Kormend has had four unders at this margin in the Hungarian league, where teams are not as good defense-wise as Tartu, and 5 overs (this season). They went over this margin in both European games, having scored 77 points in the last round on account of the efficient first half. I think their task tonight will be much tougher since Tartu want to win and defense is their only way to do so. I think this will not be a productive game, which makes the home team under a good option. Tartu conceded more points than this margin only once in 12 games this season, which is why I think this bet makes no sense. Details

Levski are in an offensive crisis and it's obvious, and now they're hosting Partizan who are in a great mood after connecting two wins, both thanks to a good defense. Levski struggled against all the defensively strong teams they faced this year. They scored 55 to zvezda, 75 to Krka, but in the last period when it was all over, and 67 to Szolnok, 68 to Krka at home, and in the last away game against Cedevita, they scored 68 points. They went over the margin against Budućnost, Zadar, and Mega, but they have a big handicap in this game. The first forward this season, Hristo Zahariev, definitely won't play this game, and that's a huge handicap for Levski. On the other hand, Partizan won the last two games with their defense, they left MTZ with 50 points, and the extremely offensive Asesoft with 69 on Wednesday. They win their games with the defense, and they said so a few times already. The season is bad for Partizan, so I don't think they'll relax. All this is worth a middle sized stake. Details

Zadar are underrated here and a counter-handicap seems like a very good option here. They are doing much better home than away this season, having beaten Igokea and Levski, and lost to Crvena Zvezda in Zadar. Olimpija are doing well in Euroleague, which means they're not as oriented on ABA League. Zadar have tall players capable of standing up to Begic and Omic, Sobin and Kraljevic are in good rhythm, while back court players Bosnjak, Sirko and Ramljak can deal with Olimpija's players. Zadar will rely on Florence in offense, but the American is not at his early season level. I expect his better performance today and Zadar can definitely cover the handicap if that happens. Olimpija lost to Metalac home the last round, they're vulnerable in this competition and I think this bet has value. Details

This margin might seem high at first, but Buducnost have never played faster-pace game. Since Mega Vizura never give up on trying to outplay the opponent, I think we're in for a very efficient match. Buducnost went over this margin three times this season, twice home (Cibona and MZT) and once away with Levski. I won't talk about Eurocup games, even though one of those was an over as well (Stelmet away). Mega Vizura conceded more points in both of their away defeats - to Levski and Zvezda and I think they're going to concede a lot today. Buducnost's offense potential suggest so too. Details

The margin here is fairly high, but only 'cause Budućnost have been shooting well lately. Today they'll meet Zvezda's quality defense who limited a Valencia to 63 points and have yet to go over this margin at home this season, both in Europe and ABA league. This is a duel of undefeated teams that always carried high tension with it, and I don't think we'll see nice basketball in Pionir today. The coaches know each other well, they analyze the game the same way, and I don't see many tactical traps here. Both teams like defense focused basketball, have not been over this margin in their past five duels and I doubt they will today. Details

Igokea are a favorite here, but don't deserve it in my opinion. Partizan played great in Jerusalem, and very close to beating Hapoel in a match coach Vujošević dubbed their best this season. Regardless of their loss, the Belgrade team saw they can handle the best, their confidence is high and I don't think they'll lose in Laktaši, especially not with a handicap. Igokea are struggling this season, have yet to score more than 66 to anyone, and with Partizan finding their shooting form in the last match Igokea cannot be that much of a favorite. Igokea are extremely poor shooters, while Partizan are bound to play at least some defense. The Israeli team got a scoring festival, but I doubt Igokea will, and a counter-handicap seems a good bet here. Details

Szolnoki proved that Europe is their number one priority last season. They have been doing much better in the ABA league this season, but their coach pointed it out on several occasions that Eurocup is the real focus of his team. They now meet weakened Olimpija, who can't count on center Begic, their top player the last few games. They now have only Omic for the center position and Bader and Keller won't have any problem stopping him. Muric is out too at Olimpija, while Lorant recovered and will be back on the Hungarian team. The Slovenians used up a lot of energy as they met Khimkiy last week, then played a very demanding match with Mega Vizura. That is another good reason to believe in the Hungarian team. They ended their two-game losing run last weekend, beating Vojvoda and Levski lead by Sinovac, their best-performing player the last few games. I think they can win here, especially because they want a rematch with Olimpija ever since they lost both their head-to-head games last season. I don't think Olimpija will be able to win today, not in the kind of situation they are. Details

Partizan started the season disastrously. They tied three defeats in the ABA league, and added two in the Eurocup. What's more worrying than the defeats is their game, it looks awful right now. They're really struggling in the offense and I think they'll turn to defense in this match. Metalac still didn't pass this margin this season, and it's never easy to play in Pionir. Partizan are shaken, this is a great chance for them to get an important win. The stakes are big, and Mačvan's words about wanting to win with a crazy defense, and that the older players will show the younger ones how to win games with the defense work for this bet. Metalac had 66 against Cedevita, 61 against Budućnost, 51 against Szolnoki, and 59 against Krka, so I think this bet has a value. Details

Szolnoki are a huge favorite in this match, for a few reasons. The Hungarians aren't the same team away and at home. They play much better at home, got two wins, and lost to Partizan in the first round. The strong Russian Zenit got harmed in the Eurocup there, so I don't think the weakened Levski can fare well. Zvijezda covered this handicap in the first round, Zadar in the third, and Budućnost in the last one in Bulgaria. The Bulgarians lack the first point guard Heath, the captain Ivanov got injured, and I think they only want to lose with the difference as small as possible in Hungary. The fact that Szolnoki lost two in a row and have to get back to winning works for this bet, because the weakened Levski are a perfect opponent for them now. Levski played the Bulgarian championship this week. They got defeated against Cherno More by 11, and the trip to Varna definitely got them tired, as their coach said. I even wanted to place a unit more, but Szolnoki had an exhausting trip this week, too. Details

Partizan traditionally play well in Stožice, and even though they're completely out of form at the beginning of the season, I don't see them so much as outsiders in this match, even though Olimpija's form might speak otherwise. Olimpija had a tough and exhausting game against Bešiktaš in Turkey, they spent a lot of energy to win there, while the Partizan easily lost in Litva against Rytas. The situation in Partizan is worrying, but they should never be underestimated. Olimpija won't be able to count on Murič for this match, the front line Begić-Omić is definitely Olimpija's advantage, but Gagić and Milutinov shouldn't be underestimated, either, especially in the defense and the rebounds. Edo Murič is the first offensive option for Partizan, but with Milutinov's comeback and Bogdanović's arrival, he'll relieve some of the pressure, and if Tepić finally starts playing, I think they can cover this handicap. The plus for this bet is Nikolov's minor injury, he had stitches on his head and it's questionable how much time he'll spend on the court. Olimpija are a favorite in this match, but not that much of a favorite, in my opinion. Details

Igokea opened the ABA league with three consecutive defeats, which makes this meeting with Krka extremely important for them. Coach Jovanovic talked about defense when discussing this game, and with both teams defense-oriented, I don't expect an 'attractive' game tonight. I decided to go with under at Igokea because I simply don't see them as favorites in this game. Krka won their last three games, limiting Cedevita to 72 points, Partizan to 64, and Metalac to 59,while scoring 62, 61, and 60. I think this margin is set just a bit too high, since Krka proved on numerous occasions that their defense is good. I think Igokea will be left in the under, because Krka's chances only improve if not many points are being scored. Details

The Hungarian's are playing great defense, having conceded 60, 51, and 60 points in the first three games home. They never once got close to this margin, that is mostly set according to Zenit's first two VTB league matches. Both coaches said they want to focus on defense, and the Hungarians want revenge for the defeats in the Eurochallenge in the last two seasons. 120 points were barely scored in their last head-to-head meeting, and I think that's good reason for the total under. Another thing is the fact season is still early, this is the Eurocup opener and stakes are very high. Details

Zvezda are having a furious start to the season, having beaten Levski by 30 goals, and Cibona by 22 away. Cibona gave Olimpija a hard time in the first round game, which is why I can't really understand why this handicap is set to low. I expected it to be at last three points higher, which, in my opinion, makes this bet worth going for. Zvezda are destroying the opponents, having good-quality players for each position, and the stakes would be even higher if it wasn't this early in the season. Olimpia's shooting efficiency is another reason to opt for this bet since they missed a huge number of shots and free throws in the first two games. I was wondering whether to go with over at Zvezda or the handicap, but Olimpija proved they can play tough defense, which is why is decided for the handicap that really seems to be set too low. Details