Very soon EuroLeague basketball will take a short break. The reason for that is the return of national teams and World Cup qualifiers. Until that happens, let’s take a look at Week 24 of the Euroleague between Zalgiris Kaunas and Saski Baskonia.
Tournament – Turkish Airlines Euroleague;
Date – 10.02.2023;
Kick-Off – 18:00 UK;
Venue – Žalgiris Arena (15.415);
City – Kaunas, Lithuania.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #1 – Handicap (+4) for Saski Baskonia – 1.525.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #2 – Total Points Under 163 – 1.625.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #3 – Saski Baskonia Points Under 80.5 – 1.864.
In the last two head-to-head encounters in Lithuania, Zalgiris has won. Baskonia has lost 5 of its previous 6 away games, so we doubt the away team will be successful.
At Zalgirio Arena, the Lithuanians are trying to use a defensive model. So far, this tactic has brought them success. Thanks to this, Maksvytis’ men have won 8 of their 11 home games. There’s no reason to change things since their careful play under the basket has been paying off so far. Most likely, the home team will once again try to quench Baskonia’s offensive fervour.
The Lithuanians have not scored more than 80 points in their last five games.
Until recently, Zalgiris had been very confident. The Lithuanians generally outplayed their opponents on the home court. That earned them a place among the Euroleague’s top eight teams. Recently, however, the team from Kaunas seems to have been replaced. Maksvytis’s men approach their encounter with Baskonia on a losing streak of five games.
The last time the Green and White won was in late January, they did so against BC Wolves in the domestic championship. Since then, Zalgiris has lost three Euroleague games and two Lithuanian league games. In their last matches, the team from Kaunas lost to Partizan (74:88), Panathinaikos (89-65) and Partizan (74-88).
In the game against Partizan, Ignas Brazdeikis scored 17 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Zalgiris Kaunas has won 73% of its home games of the season.
Saski Baskonia managed to level its game a bit. The Spaniards had a period in which they failed quite often. However, Joan Penarroya managed to get through to his men.
In recent Euroleague games, Baskonia showed good play. The Spaniards overcame Anadolu Efes (114-101) and Panathinaikos (95-90). In between, however, they lost to Olimpia Milano (83-89).
In the game against Panathinaikos, Markus Howard scored 24 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Saski Baskonia has lost 73% of its away meetings.
The visitors are scoring an average of 85.8 points per game.
In our opinion, the teams will take to the field with the following line-ups:
Zalgiris Kaunas: Tomas Dimša – Ignas Brazdeikis – Edgaras Ulanovas – Rolands Smits – Kevarrius Hayes.
Saski Baskonia: Darius Thompson – Markus Howard – Rokas Giedraitis – Daulton Hommes – Steven Enoch.
The fixture will be played at Žalgiris Arena (15.415) in Kaunas, Lithuania.
This starting whistle will sound on the 10th of February 2023, at 18:00 UK Time.
We recommend checking out the odds for the Turkish Airlines Euroleague: Zalgiris Kaunas vs Saski Baskonia at 1xBet.