EUROPE: Euroleague

Offensive efficiency leaders at the season's mid-point

Baskonia: Knee injury sidelines Shengelia for a month

Tornike Shengelia will return to action on February

The year ends on a sad note for Baskonia, which will have to spend January without injured Toko Shengelia.

According to the EuroLeague press release:

KIROLBET Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz suffered a big injury blow learning on Monday that it will be without the All-EuroLeague forward Tornike Shengelia for at least 3 or 4 weeks. Shengelia suffered a knee injury in the Spanish League game against Real Madrid on Sunday night, and the tests revealed a knee ligament injury that will require rest and physiotherapy. Shenglia, who was already dealing with a broken nose and has played with a face mask last week, has averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals for Baskonia which overcame a slow start to the season and sits at 7-8 record at the midway point of the regular season. Star forward, who earned the All-EuroLeague First Team honors last season, is in his fifth season with the club, and leads Baskonia in scoring and steals, and is second on the team in rebounding.

Milano: Alen Omic to move from Buducnost to Olimpia Milano

Alen Omic will part ways with Buducnost Voli and Olimpia Milano has shown big interest.

Alen Omic will most likely part ways with Buducnost Voli and join Olimpia Milano, according to Vijesti which got the confirmation from the club’s president Dragan Bokan.

Bokan explained that this is an offer Buducnost can’t refuse: “That’s the biggest offer for one of our players since Dubljevic (Bojan) moved to Valencia (2012). It’s not over yet, we are talking about the transfer.” One of the reasons Milano is searching for a center is due to the recent thumb injury of Kaleb Tarczewski.

Although the 26-year-old center extended the contract with the club for the remainder of the 2018-19 season, the arrival of new head coach Jasmin Repesa in place of Aleksandar Dzikic will no doubt bring a lot of changes and the Slovenian center seems to be the first one.

Omic played 15 games in EuroLeague averaging 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists, while in ABA League he posted 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. However, it should be also noted that he lost a spot in the starting lineup and playing minutes as Goga Bitadze joined the squad.

Buducnost and Olimpia Milano will clash already on Thursday (4/1) in Round 16 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Omic will be eligible to play as long as the transfer is made on time.

Tornike Shengelia out at least 3 months

A major blow for Baskonia

Baskonia head coach Velimir Perasovic said that team captain Tornike Shengelia will be out for the next three months.

“In three months, at best,” Perasovic said when asked when he expects Shengelia to return to action during the pre-game presser ahead of Baskonia‘s EuroLeague game vs. Fenerbahce Friday (4/2).

The first estimation of Shengelia’s recovery timeframe mentioned that the Georgian forward will be back in about a month. However, the player will stay out for far more and will miss almost the remainder of the EuroLeague regular season plus the Spanish Copa Del Rey, held in February.

Shengelia suffered a ligament injury during the ACB match vs. Real Madrid. He has been averaging 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in EuroLeague this season.

Efes - Bayern

The numbers of the points doesn't match the tempo of the game. Efes overperforming from the field goal. They shot a low amount of shots comparing to the result. Bayern one of the better at defense in this Euroleague season should fight to the end.

Live Bet. Under 174.5 @1.95 Bet365

FT 169

The EuroLeague's most-improved points-per-game scorers



Several of the top individual performances of Round 16 came from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s most-improved players in terms of points per game, led by Vasilije Micic of Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Anthony Randolph of Real Madrid.

The EuroLeague has no shortage of players who compete in the league season after season. Though few players will make more than 300 appearances, as Paulius Jankunas and Vassilis Spanoulis both will have done by the end of this season, many players return to the competition year to year, giving fans a chance to watch the evolution of their favorite players over time. Retention rates vary because player movement is inevitable, but roughly two-thirds of this season’s contributors were also on a EuroLeague roster last season.

With roles and expectations for any given player changing each season – or even game to game – tracking player development can be tricky. Many players show improvement statistically by stepping into bigger roles, by changing teams or by stepping in for injured teammates. Others, however, make distinct improvements in their skill sets to take their game to the next level. Looking at the most-improved players in points per game from one season to the next does not capture a perfect picture of the competition’s most-improved overall players, but it does provide some insight into which players have evolved as scorers and which have emerged in new roles.

Points Per Game Improvement



Among players who have played in the EuroLeague this season and last, as many have scored fewer points per game during the current one as not. The list above features the six EuroLeague players who have made the biggest jump in points per game from last season. Only one player, Norris Cole of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, was excluded from this list based on sample size, as he has appeared in just two games so far, scoring well in both.

Toney Douglas is this season’s best example of player stepping into a far different role following a move to a new club. The veteran guard has seen his usage more than double since signing with Darussafaka Tekfen Istanbul relative to his first EuroLeague stint with Anadolu Efes Istanbul last season. Douglas ranks fourth in the EuroLeague in per-game points scored or created by passes out of the pick-and-roll. He has contributed more efficiently some nights than others through six appearances, keying his team to their second victory of the season with 19 points and 9 assists against Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 15.

Brandon Davies is a good example of a player whose statistical growth has been driven by a combination of factors. He has been vital to Zalgiris Kaunas’s offense each of the last two seasons but has emerged as the EuroLeague’s second-best scorer in this, his second one. Ranking among the league's leaders in cut, roll-man and put-back scoring, few players have been as involved in their team's offense inside as Davies, who has inherited a massive role following his stellar finish to last season and recent injuries to Paulius Jankunas. While circumstances have certainly given Davies additional opportunities, he also has acclimated to the physicality of the EuroLeague, has improved his decision-making as a passer, and has finished more effectively working off the ball.

Dee Bost has played in the EuroLeague in three of the last four seasons but is shooting the ball far better now than in the past while playing a substantially larger role both on and off the ball for Khimki Moscow Region. Bost is making shots far more consistently out of ball-screen actions than in his first two EuroLeague stints.

In his fourth EuroLeague season, Edwin Jackson has shot three-pointers at a very high level for Buducnost. Jackson has long been a capable offensive combo guard, but his consistency has come a long way from early in his career, particularly as a three-point shooter with his feet set. In limited attempts, he has ranked among the EuroLeague's most efficient spot-up threats. Shooting a career-best 46% from beyond the arc, Jackson was almost as consistent last year for FC Barcelona Lassa, but has not lost his touch playing a bigger role for Buducnost.

Anthony Randolph’s season with Real Madrid has been a great example of how a major development in one part of a player’s skill set can unlock the rest of their offensive game. Randolph was a key cog for the EuroLeague champions last season, but has been dramatically more effective this season. Scoring 1.10 points per catch-and-shoot jump shot last season, Randolph has scored 1.49 points per attempt this season. Catch-and-shoot jumpers are also making up a far larger percentage of his attempts this season, up to 50% in the half-court offense from 34% a year ago. Emerging as one of the EuroLeague’s most dangerous floor-spacing big men both in spot-up situations and running off screens, Randolph has demanded significant defensive attention away from the rim, making it easier to pick and choose his spots, looking to make plays around the rim and boosting his overall efficiency to an elite level as a result.

Vasilije Micic’s growth as a player from last season has been a major part of Efes’s improvement as a team. Last season with Zalgiris, Micic scored 0.78 points per possession as a pick-and-roll ball-handler and created 5.4 points per game with passes out of the pick-and-roll. Those marks have risen to a fourth-ranked 1.12 points per possession and a third-ranked 9.8 points per game this season. Displaying massive improvement as a pull-up jump shooter, Micic has become a more dangerous threat off the dribble, but he has also been more assertive when he goes to the rim, has used the additional defensive attention he’s seen to find more passing angles inside, and has embraced his role as a leader for one of the EuroLeague’s best offenses.

CSKA 76-93 Maccabi 😲 what happened there 😲

To add to that, that was CSKA's first home loss in the Euroleague this season and Maccabi's first against CSKA on the road since 2004

Panathinaikos fail to cover a Handicap yet again on the Road. They're now 0/8 at covering handicaps on the Road. Yikes

Soon will get fired looking at the tendency regarding new coaches in Panathinaikos 😄

Maccabi: Jeremy Pargo returns for after three months

Maccabi has Jeremy Pargo back in a crucial stretch for its run for the EuroLeague playoffs.

Maccabi Tel Aviv guard Jeremy Pargo is back on the active roster of the team for the first time since early October, the club announced. The American player is expected to play in the Israeli Winner League game vs. Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Monday (14/1).

Pargo, 31, missed the first half of the season due to some problems with his back. He played only in the Winner League premiere vs. Maccabi Ashdod before getting sidelined.

Maccabi is currently 7 – 11 in EuroLeague after two wins vs. Buducnost at home and CSKA Moscow on the road. Pargo’s return thus comes ahead of a key set of games that might decide the team’s future in the competition this season and whether they’ll make the playoffs or not.

Khimki: Alexey Shved won’t return to action vs. Olympiacos

Alexey Shved will remain out for one more week.

Khimki is traveling to Athens for the upcoming game against Olympiacos on Thursday without Alexey Shved, who’s been out for two months due to his injury.

Despite hopes of his return against the Greek team expressed by General Manager of Khimki a few days prior, Shved will rest some more before returning to action.

Thus, Khimki (7-11) will have to face the challenge against Olympiacos (11-7) without its three-point sniper, who’s been out since last November.

Olympiacos: Nikola Milutinov to return vs. Khimki

The Serbian big man is ready to return to action on Thursday.

Nikola Milutinov will be at David Blatt’s disposal for the game against Khimki on Thursday for Round 19 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

The Serbian center who has missed the past few games due to illness has recovered and is ready to join the rest of the team.

“Khimki’s centers are very good, very fast, very athletic, and we are forced to use all our “weapons” to deal with them”, commented Milutinov in Olympiacos‘ recent media day.

I'm already posted a pick for tonights Euroleague game between Olympiacos - Khimki. You could review here - betblog.com/picks/479019-olympiakos-khimki-m

And some thoughts at the moment for the tommorow's Zalgiris - Panathinaikos game.

Zalgiris players slowly but getting back in the action but still struggling to recover from the injuries but IMO the most important player for this season - Walters are back and this is a good news for Zalgiris team. Jankunas also recovered from the injury but because of the age he needs more time to get in form. But these 2 players are very helpful on the court because Jankunas perfectly knows the Zalgiris system and how the game should be played on the court and Walters is one of the key for offensive plays. Finally Zalgiris showed some positive plays against Siauliai in Lithuania cup game beating them 61-104 and breaking some records. Of course Siauliai is not a good example comparing the team who plays in Euroleague but still the way they played this game was fun to watch. Zalgiris still have injured Leo Westermann and Antanas Kavaliauskas.

In another side we have Panathinaikos with a new coach Ricky Pitino who still trying to find the best tactics for this team and as well looking for the option in the free agents market. They signed very well known Sean Kilpatrick who had some good years in NBA wearing the Brooklyn Nets jersey. He already played for his new team in Greece league and scored 20 points. Just imagine what he could bring on the Panathinaikos when he will starts understand the way basketball is playing in Europe. Pitino wanted a faster higher and stronger guard and he got what he wanted. They need time but I believe that with their new coach they should be playing more freer basketball not the way Pascuali was coaching them with 99 combinations 😁) They have a good options in the players and for rotation as well. Panathinaikos will be without Langford and the Calathes could be out as well as he dealing with sore knee.

I will wait news for the Calathes but if he will miss this game I surely will pick over 152.5 @1.88 at Pinnacle. This total quite low regarding the Zalgiris 2 most important players for the plays are coming back. Also forgot to mention about thheir new signing Deon Thompson.

Euroleague 2018-19 – Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Barcelona Betting Tips



This evening we have a huge game in the Euroleague Playoff race as a resurgent Maccabi (winners 3 of last 4) host RED HOT Barcelona who are riding a 5 game win streak!

Totals

Maccabi are one of the most under-ish teams in the Euroleague at Home this season with 62.5% of their Home Games being unders this season (5u-3o). The closest that Maccabi have been to the 156.5 total which is given tonight this season at Home was against Khimki where the pre-game total given was actually the same 156.5 and the game ended being an under as Maccabi won 79-63.

Full preview - betblog.com/previews/eur...cabi-tel-aviv-barcelona/

Zalgiris Kaunas vs Panathinaikos Betting Tips



This evening we have a game between two teams outside of the Playoffs trying to make a final push for the top 8 spot as Zalgiris host Panathinaikos.

Totals

Zalgiris have been a pretty good total over covering team at Home this season as they’ve covered 60% of their Overs on their ground this season (6-4), however they did fail to cover each of the previous 3 total overs. Zalgiris haven’t had a total anywhere close to tonight’s 151.5, in fact the closest pre-game total that they’ve had this season to tonight’s was a 4 point difference where the total was 155.5 against Olympiakos which was an over in Zalgiris 83-75 win.

Full preview - betblog.com/previews/eur...-zalgiris-panathinaikos/

Panathinaikos are a disgrace on the Road. 1-8 W-L record and what's crazy is they STILL haven't covered a road game Handicap (0-9) after losing to Zalgiris! They're just too talented for this to happen

Buducnost beat Real Madrid 73-60 holding them to a season low in points 😲

Buducnost have beaten CSKA Real Barcelona and Baskonia at Home all wins with them being as MASSIVE underdogs. Tough place to go to win and win man, these elite teams are struggling 😲

Sean Kilpatrick 11 pts 3 ast 5/14 FG in his Euroleague debut. Wasn't at his best for sure, thought he choked the 4th Quarter completely