Betting Corner: don't write off Monaco just yet / News - Basketnews.com

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BasketNews and Andreas Blomdahl return with the Betting Corner edition, providing the best choices before the upcoming EuroLeague playoffs for sports betting enthusiasts.

3-pointers this season

35%9,5Points made:9,5Accuracy:35,1%Place in standings:3Record max:18Record min:1Most made 3FGs:Rudy FernandezTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Currently, Andreas correctly predicted 30 out of 44 possible outcomes. A pretty solid record of building upon. However, we remind you to gamble responsibly.

AX Armani Exchange Milan vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul

It is playoffs, baby! It will begin with Milan hosting the champions, Anadolu Efes.

Armani Exchange finished 3rd after a very solid campaign with the home record of 10-4. Anadolu Efes had a tougher time, finishing in 6th place with an away record of 4-10.

As we all know, the home-court advantage is huge and even bigger in the playoffs.

In this first game, I think we will see an Italian side who will manage to lockdown the deadly offense of Efes. We saw it earlier this season when Efes traveled to Milan as the hosts won 75-71.

It is still one of the lowest-scoring performances from the Turks this season. In addition to that, Micic has not played for weeks, and we still do not know if he will be available for the first game here.

As we all know, defense wins championships, and I think Milan will take the first game here.

BET: Armani Exchange ML (Win including OT) @ 1.70

FC Barcelona vs FC Bayern Munich

Barcelona locked the first seed; meanwhile, Bayern snatched the last playoff spot, finishing at 8th place.

However, Barcelona have lost three out of their four last games, including a home game against Unicaja Malaga at home and a 71-76 away loss to Zaragoza on Saturday. What is the status of the Catalans?

Bayern, on the other hand, is on a four-game winning streak which includes a stunning away performance against Real Madrid, winning 97-88 in their last game of the regular season.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul / Schedule

AX Armani Exchange Milan Anadolu Efes IstanbulTue17:00 AX Armani Exchange Milan Anadolu Efes IstanbulThu18:30

Clearly, there is something wrong with Barcelona now, I do not think it is only rotation and lack of motivation. There must be something within the group.

My guess is that they will go back to classic playoff basketball, focusing on defense and getting easy points in transition. Bayern, we all know, are all about taking care of every possession, long attacks, etc.

When these two met in February, Barcelona won 71-66, and I think we will see something similar here. The first playoff game is always lower in points than in the regular season.

I am very surprised that we see a line above 150, and I am pretty sure the line will close below when we get to Tuesday evening.

BET: Under 151.5 @ 1.90

Olympiacos Piraues vs AS Monaco

After a late run, Olympiacos finished the regular season in second place, while Monaco parked at 7th place.

Olympiacos have been a very positive surprise this season, and they are looking at qualifying for the Final Four in Belgrade. Monaco must be the team of the season so far, and I do not think many people predicted them to reach the playoffs.

It's a very interesting matchup, and I am not writing Monaco off yet. They have surprised earlier this season, and the potential is high when they have their night.

However, I think the first game will be fire. When we get a total below 160 points in a game where Monaco participates, it is more or less an auto-bet.

Olympiacos have shown before that they are very capable of dropping buckets as well, and they do not have a problem doing it in front of a big crowd, something some teams are having difficulties with.

I am sure the atmosphere at The Peace and Friendship Stadium will be absolutely electric, and players like Milke James and Dwayne Bacon will be hyped, and it wouldn’t surprise me if one of them drops more than 25 points.

BET: Over 157.5 @ 1.90

Real Madrid vs Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Real Madrid lost their rhythm in the second half of the season and finished in 4th place. Meanwhile, Maccabi picked up some pace and finished just below in 5th place.

You would not believe me, but it is the truth. Real Madrid have won two out of their last ten games, of which four are in the EuroLeague and six in the domestic league.

Compare this to Maccabi, who have lost one game out of their last twelve. That includes six EuroLeague and six domestic league games.

Real Madrid are clear favorites here and do not get me wrong, they should be, but there is some worrying and confusing news about Trey Thompkins and Thomas Heurtel. Are they removed from the roster or not? No one really knows, it seems.

I think Maccabi have every chance to make this a very competitive game throughout all four quarters, and with some luck, they can even get away with a win.

I'm not going for the big odds yet, although I’m happy to take the handicap here, hoping the game is going down to the wire.

BET: Maccabi Tel Aviv +6.5 @ 1.90

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