Betting Corner: Efes are packing the bags to Belgrade / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: imago images/Seskim Photo-Scanpix Credit imago images/Seskim Photo-Scanpix

BasketNewsand Andreas Blomdahl continues the Betting Corner edition, providing the best choices before the upcoming EuroLeague playoffs for sports betting enthusiasts.

Though, we want to remind you to gamble responsibly.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs AX Armani Exchange Milan

For three quarters, Milano put up one of the best fighting performances I have seen this season, but in the fourth quarter, Efes found their rhythm, had a late run and won comfortably in the end. The score was written 77-65, which means Anadolu Efes are up 2-1.

Status coming into Game 4? Rodrigue Beaubois and Krunoslav Simon were missing for the Turks in Game 3, and both are questionable for tonight. Milan got Sergio Rodriguez back but will still be missing team captain Nicolo Melli and Malcolm Delaney.

Besides the exceptional fighting spirit in Game 3, a single factor that kept the Italians in the game was the offensive rebounds. They outperformed Efes 14-3 and scored many second opportunity points.

What do I expect from Game 4? First and foremost, Armani Exchange know that they face a much better team, especially when missing Delaney and Melli.

Secondly, they know that they had their chance in Game 3, especially as the game developed, and they blew their chance to bring this series back to Milan.

Anadolu Efes have a higher level than they showed in Game 3, and I think we will see it tonight against a tired Milano.

BET: Anadolu Efes -7.5 @ 1.85.

FC Bayern Munich vs FC Barcelona

Game 3 went to Barcelona after beating Bayern 75-66 yesterday. This means that Barcelona are one win away from going to Final Four in Belgrade.

Like in the previous three meetings, I will continue going for a low-scoring game. Bayern are still missing their top scorer Darrun Hilliard, Paul Zipser, and Corey Walden, making them very limited in their offense.

It's do-or-die for Bayern in Audi Dome on Friday night, and once again, I expect the game to be like Game 3. Both teams forcing each other to tough shot selections, and both teams have their key to success in the defence.

I do not really have much more to say regarding this game, and it sounds a bit repetitive since the bet selection has been the same throughout the series, but as long as the bookies are offering us a total above 150 points, we take it.

BET: Under 151.5 @ 1.90

AS Monaco vs Olympiacos Piraeus

Monaco gave it a really good try in the fourth quarter, but the gap was too big. Olympiacos won the third game 87-83 and can secure their spot in Belgrade on Friday night.

Dwayne Bacon carried Monaco on his shoulders with 23 points, while the dynamic duo of Kostas Sloukas and Sasha Vezenkov combined for 38 points.

The odds are almost the same for Game 4 as for Game 3. I cannot really make up my mind on who is going to win, even though I am once again leaning towards Monaco.

They were once again missing Alpha Diallo, and there is still more to get from players like Mike James. Also, I have to say that I was impressed by Olympiacos. They stood up much better than I expected, and it just shows how important the experience is when it comes to the playoffs.

Even though I cannot pick a side, I do think Monaco will score at least 80 points. The pace in Monaco was totally different than what we saw in Greece, and yesterday’s game looked a lot more like a regular season game.

What do we make out of this? Since I am leaning towards Monaco snatching Game 4, we see a totally different pace, and we have a total that's not reflecting that at all, the over 157.5 is very likely in my book.

BET: Over 157.5 @ 1.90

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.