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Today we have 5 games in Euroleague but most of the games are hard to predict looking from a betting opportunity. I like only one match today and pick for this match is available free of for all site visitors members. Betting previews for other Wednesday matches are available for registered site members .
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Aris TT Bank vs. Lietuvos Rytas
Game preview
Aris TT Bank looks to make its move in the Group B standings when it hosts co-leader Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius on Wednesday at the Alexandrion Melathron in Thessaloniki, Greece. In a tight group where only two victories separate the top five teams, Aris knows that a win here put the club in position to take a better seeding ahead of the Top 16 draw. A win could also mathematically clinch Aris’s participation in the next stage, depending upon other results. Heach coach Gordon Herbert’s team arrives after back-to-back wins to improve to 6-4. Meanwhile L. Rytas has won four in a row to climb to 8-2. When these teams met earlier this season in Lithuania, Marijonas Petravicius posted 22 points on 11-of-14 shooting and Hollis Price scored 15 and dished 7 assists to lead L. Rytas to a tough 77-70 victory.
The game will feature some new faces that weren’t around for that contest as Aris added two newcomers in the past week: forward Vladimer Boisa and point guard Darius Washington. The added depth will be a big boost for the hosts, since 70% of Aris’s games thus far have been decided by 7 points or less. Meanwhile L. Rytas has since inked Jared Jordan to give Hollis Price a suitable backup at the point guard spot.
Team news
Aris TT Bank continues to bulk up its roster. On Saturday, the club announced the signing of point guard Darius Washington until the end of next season. Washington (188, 22) returns to Thessaloniki after playing for rival PAOK last season, during which he averaged 10.6 points in seven ULEB Cup games in a stint that was shortened by injuries suffered in a traffic accident. He arrives from the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA, where he played in 18 games this season, averaging 2.9 points in 8 minutes per game. Washington made a name for himself with a strong college basketball career at the University of Memphis, but he chose to turn professional after just two seasons. He also has played professionally in the Czech Republic for CEZ Nymburk, which he helped to win that nation's championship at the end of last season. Washington is the club’s second signing in a span of a few days after forward Vladimer Boisa joined last week.
For Lietuvos Rytas Stelmahers is unavaible for this game. Coached decided to leave him in Vilnius.
According to Greek press T.Castle (Aris playmaker) can leave club soon. One of the russian clubs have seriuos interest in his person.
Betting overview
Public loves Aris at home but I will go against the crowd because I see some reason to back Lietuvos Rytas in Greece today. First Aris can clinch Top-16 place today but if we take closer look into standings and will analyze situation we will notice that Aris needs to lose all 4 left games to lose Top-16 spot. But also Cibona needs to win all 4 games to qualify into next round. Looking into Cibona form I hardly see this happen. And looks like Aris management see the same and that's why they started to strengthen their roster in the middle of the season. They cut Serapinas (not yet released officialy but benched already), Washington signed to substitute Castle (looks that Unics will sign him soon) and Moisa is going to replace weak Mottola. It's normal thing to buy some new players in midseason and looks like Aris coach plans to use new signings today. I hardly see Aris playing balanced game today with so many roster changes and experiments. Also Aris have very important derby against PAOK this weekend and I am pretty sure that next game is more important for players, coaches and fans.
On other side we have in-form Lietuvos Rytas with full roster and balanced game. Rytas is currently one of the best team in Europe looking into team level of game. Right now they really can compete against top teams and I accept this match as "top-team against mediocre home team with unknown motivation". That's why I can't agree with Rytas underdog role in the bookmakers line. According to my estimations they should be 4-4.5 points favorites and 2.30-1.55 is loooking more correct line.
Summary
I don't think that this is gonna be easy game for Rytas simply because Aris is really hot when playing at home but right now I rate Rytas form and motivation (still fighting for 1st spot and have away game with Efes next week) better than Aris which is concetrated on other things (derby, new players involving and some players can start thinking about their future (Serapinas, Castle)). So I think that Rytas will win this one by 4-7 points - only medium-low stake adviced because I expect close game for 2-3 quarters.
Prediction: Aris 72 - 77 Lietuvos Rytas
Pick: Rytas +2 @ 1.91 PinnacleSports 4/10
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Fenerbahce Ulker vs Chorale Roanne
Very important game for both teams. Both have promotion chances and will fight for better chance today. But -9 looks a bit too high for me to back Turkish team and quiestionable to back Roanne. But if I would be forced to choose side I would pick away handicap because Choralle already proved that they can play away from home but can't win there in Euroleague. But Fenerbahce is more experienced team and at home it will be extremely difficult to beat them there. Also under could an option because 165.5 is looking too high because Roanne scored over165.5 only once away from home.
Lean: Roanne +10.5
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