lukitasw

First game of the season and I feel Zalgiris is still in preparation phaze as Euroleague just start after a month, few players just joined the team a week ago and Micic still will not play I guess. Dzukija started preparation earlier and they play at home. Knowing history of Zalgiris how they begin LKL season, I believe Dzukija will have some advantage here I don't believe they will loose more than 20. My line for this game is Dzukija +16.5

Despite Jovic injury and some miracles Slovenia has already shown in this championship I believe Serbia is much more experienced team here that players had many important games already. Secondly, most of the players can play aggresive defense and they can switch and push opponent leaders as they were doing with Shved. I believe Slovenia would need to get a lot of luck one more time like they had with Spain (3 3pt shots dropped in of the board) to fight equally for the victory here till the last minute. I see probabily for Serbia 55-60% here and odds show value for me.

Russia is playing well in this championship so far showing quite good attacking basketball and good teamwork, but despite looking terrible in the group I believe Greece will show their experience here again and will advance to final 4. Greek guards like Calathes or Mantzaris I believe are able at least halfly stop Shved. Also they are a team that can play really tough in important battles and they have so many experience of do or die matches. All in all I see Greeks as a small favs like 60%-40% here and with current odds I see value in Greece.

1/8 playoffs battle and I believe both teams will prepare for that and will put a lot of effort for the defense. This shouldn't be run and shoot game and we know that like to play tough and defend good in these type of very important battles. I believe Lithuania will win, but this should be tough game with a lot of contact and for me the game line is about 150.5

Iceland was showing very very fast pace so far in the championship and allowed more than 100 pts last two games. I believe Finland will join them on a fast tempo game and will have many good opportunities to have good 3pt shots this game. I believe we will not see so much defense this game again with many short positions and 3pt shots.

I believe Germany leaders are a bit already tired and Lithuania is just catching good wave physically and emotionally. Much more weapons on Lith side and I believe spread is few pts too short.

Hi

Montenegro was showing a very defensive and tough basketball in first two games while Croatia was searching for itself offensively and despite Croatia won both games the opponents were much lover and Croatia didn't show a productive performance. The game is very important for Montenegro. I believe there we will see a tough Balkan game with a lot of contact and this will lead to under. Seems its quite hard for Croatia to show same fast pace basketball that we seen in friendlies before championship.

Israel is not showing enough patience and their performance is not good this in championship so far. Germany just had bad first game against Ukraine, but their form and tempo against Georgia was good. I believe Germany has better bench and more deep in the squad also I don't see who could stop Shroder from Israel team. Also Theis and Voigtmann will have some advantage in paint grabbing rebounds. All in all I see Germany better team here.

Israel faced Italy in a very low scoring game against very slow tempo Italy with long positions. Also Germany had two very physical games against Ukraine and Georgia. These two teams are orientated to fast pace themselves and don't like to fight too much physical, so I expect a running game with many easy shots there despite low scoring previous results because of different style opponents.

Argentina is really having decent squad in this championship and USA is nothing very special. Looking at the results USA had easy opponents and they already had some problems with Uruguay which is more weak than Argentina. Also Argentina crashed Virgin Islands more easy than USA. All in all I see it as a close game for the final.

Both teams started championship very bad with a loss, but Israel game was much lower level than lith. Israel had very poor ball movement, a lot of slow and unnecessary 1x1 and etc things. I believe Lithuania is still much better orgnized team and they have big advantage in the paint, so I believe Lithuania will bounce back strong after first game.

Warning: wrong odds edited

Today we have seen both these teams having offense orientated games and I believe tomorrow will be the same. Belgium was used to be defensive team, but seems at the end of preparation and today team is pushing the tempo so much and we all know Latvia love to do the same with fast and mobile center on the court. Both teams can shoot 3pt shots really good and I expect total in this game about 160.

Turkey is missing Ilyasova this championship and main pg Dixon is facing health problems before championship, his form is questionable. Team is young with many young players on the roster. I believe home court is the only advantage of this Turkey team and russia with Shved and Mozgov in front and some good physical players like Fridzon or Vorontsevich will take this turkish stake there. I see game about 50/50 and with these odds I take Russia to win.

Serbia has lost Teodosic, Nedovic and Kalinic and with current odds they are much overvalued. Dixon is having health problems for Turkey and this year I don't believe in Turkey too, cause the squad is too young to achieve big victories despite home court in group. Russia for me is a lower talent team this year than Latvia. All in all, I see Latvia real odds about 5.00-6.00

Israel is was a team with no defense in a friendly games and I believe it will be the same. Also I expect Italy to keep up to Israel tempo there. I believe this total is about 3-3.5 points too low, so I see value there.